Apocalypse Revealed # 538
538. Having seven heads. This symbolizes irrationality owing to their falsifying and profaning the Word's truths.
A head symbolizes wisdom and intelligence, and in an opposite sense, irrationality. However, the seven heads here, being the heads of the dragon, symbolize more specifically irrationality owing to a falsification and profanation of the Word's truths. For the number seven is predicated of things that are holy, and in an opposite sense, of things that are profane (no. 10). Consequently we are told next that on its heads were seen seven jewels, 1 and jewels symbolize the Word's truths, there truths falsified and profaned.
That a head symbolizes wisdom and intelligence is apparent from the following passages:
I will give you wise and intelligent men..., and I will make them your heads. (Deuteronomy 1:13)
...Jehovah... has closed your eyes, namely, the prophets; and He has covered your heads, namely, the seers. (Isaiah 29:10)
In Daniel 2:32 the head of Nebuchadnezzar's image of fine gold symbolizes the wisdom of the first age, which existed in people of the Most Ancient Church.
That in an opposite sense a head symbolizes irrationality and foolishness is apparent in the book of Psalms:
God will smite the head of His enemies, the hairy crown of the one who walks in his guilty ways. (Psalms 68:21)
In Genesis 3:15 the head of the serpent that would be trampled has the same symbolism, and so does "striking the head over much land" in Psalms 110:6-7; Lamentations 2:10; 2 Samuel 13:19).
Moreover, seven heads later in the book of Revelation, namely, in Revelation 13:1, 3; 17:3, 7, 9, also symbolize irrationality owing to a falsification and profanation of truths.
Poznámky pod čarou:
1. The word translated as "jewels" here means diadems or crowns in the original Greek and Latin, but the writer's definition of the term elsewhere make plain that he regularly and consistently interpreted it to mean jewels or gems.
Psalms 6
1
Yahweh, don't rebuke me in your anger, neither discipline me in your wrath.
2
Have mercy on me, Yahweh, for I am faint. Yahweh, heal me, for my bones are troubled.
3
My soul is also in great anguish. But you, Yahweh--how long?
4
Return, Yahweh. Deliver my soul, and save me for your loving kindness' sake.
5
For in death there is no memory of you. In Sheol, who shall give you thanks?
6
I am weary with my groaning. Every night I flood my bed. I drench my couch with my tears.
7
My eye wastes away because of grief. It grows old because of all my adversaries.
8
Depart from me, all you workers of iniquity, for Yahweh has heard the voice of my weeping.
9
Yahweh has heard my supplication. Yahweh accepts my prayer.
10
May all my enemies be ashamed and dismayed. They shall turn back, they shall be disgraced suddenly. A meditation by David, which he sang to Yahweh, concerning the words of Cush, the Benjamite.
