2113. What the Foreskin properly [stands for]

Actually, the foreskin symbolizes envy at the happiness of others, so the foreskins were to be cut off on account of their portrayal of the envy of others' happiness. This was shown me today, when I became aware that good spirits and angels were being raised up into inward joy, or a happiness above what they had had. Meanwhile, there were spirits who became displeased and envious, as they do for the most part, that others were being raised into happiness. I was enabled to feel quite clearly the effects of both the happiness of the happy ones, and the indignation mingled with envy of the spirits, and what they came from. And when those who were indignant and envious were also raised up into a higher happiness, it was portrayed to me as if the foreskin were being removed, and one angel said to me that this shows what the foreskin symbolizes, and what circumcision portrayed. 1748, 29 May.