1171. That by “the sons of Raamah” are in like manner signified those who had no internal worship, but knowledges of faith, in the possession of which they made religion to consist; and that “Sheba and Dedan” are nations who had such knowledges; and that in the internal sense they signify the knowledges themselves, is evident from the following passages in the Prophets. Concerning Seba, Sheba, and Raamah, from these passages-in David:
The kings of Tarshish and of the isles shall bring gifts; the kings of Sheba and Seba shall offer a present; yea, all kings shall bow themselves down unto Him (Psalms 72:10-11).
This is said concerning the Lord, His kingdom, and the celestial church. Anyone may see that here by “gifts” and “a present” are signified worships; but what these worships were, and of what quality, cannot be known unless it be understood what is meant by “Tarshish and the isles,” and by “Sheba and Seba.” It has been shown already that by “Tarshish and the isles” are meant external worships that correspond to internal. From this it follows that by “Sheba and Seba” are meant internal worships, namely, by “Sheba” celestial things of worship, and by “Seba” spiritual things of worship.
[2] In Isaiah:
I have given Egypt for thy ransom, Cush and Seba for thee (Isaiah 43:3).
“Cush and Seba” denote here the spiritual things of faith. In the same:
The labor of Egypt, and the merchandise of Cush, and of the Sabeans, men of stature, shall come over unto thee (Isaiah 45:14).
“The labor of Egypt” denotes the memory-knowledge, and “the merchandise of Cush and of the Sabeans,” the knowledges of spiritual things, which are of service to those who believe in the Lord.
[3] In the same:
The multitude of camels shall cover thee, the dromedaries of Midian and Ephah, all they from Sheba shall come; they shall bring gold and frankincense, and shall proclaim the praises of Jehovah. All the flocks of Arabia shall be gathered together unto thee (Isaiah 60:6-7).
By “Sheba” are here meant celestial things and the derivative spiritual ones, which are “gold and frankincense;” and it is explained that these are “the praises of Jehovah,” that is, they are internal worship.
[4] In Ezekiel:
The traders of Sheba and Raamah, these were thy traders in the chief of every spice, and in every precious stone, and they gave gold for thine aids (Ezekiel 27:22-23).
This is said of Tyre. What is signified here by “Sheba and Raamah” is evident from their merchandise, which is said to be spice, the precious stone, and gold. “Spice” in the internal sense is charity; “the precious stone” is faith from charity; and “gold” is love to the Lord, all which are celestial things signified by “Sheba.” Properly the knowledges of such things are “Sheba” (and therefore they are here called “merchandise”), wherewith all who are becoming men of the church are imbued; for no one can become a man of the church without knowledges.
[5] Similar things were represented by the queen of Sheba, who came to Solomon and brought him spices, gold, and precious stones (1 Kings 10:1-3); and also by the wise men from the east who came to Jesus when He was born, and fell down and worshiped Him, and opening their treasures, they offered Him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh (Matthew 2:1, 11), by which was signified good, celestial, spiritual, and natural.
In Jeremiah:
To what purpose cometh there to Me frankincense from Sheba, and the sweet calamus from a far country? Your burnt-offerings are not acceptable (Jeremiah 6:20).
Here too it is evident that by “Sheba” are signified knowledges and adorations, which are “incense” and “calamus;” but in this instance such as are devoid of charity, which are not grateful.
