THE EXPLANATION of Isaiah Chapter 3

(Note: Rev. Smithson's translation of the Isaiah text is appended below the explanation)

1. For, behold, the Lord, Jehovah of Hosts, removes from Jerusalem and from Judah the stay and the staff; the whole stay of bread, and the whole stay of waters;

2. The mighty man, and the man of war, the judge, and the prophet, and the diviner, and the old man;

Verse 1. To "remove the stay and the staff" denotes the power and strength of life from Truth and Good; the "stay of bread" denotes power from Good, the "stay of waters", power from Truth. "Staff", in the original tongue, is an expression implying to lean upon and be supported, which in the spiritual world is effected by Truth and Good. Arcana Coelestia 9028.

Verses 1, 2. The whole stay of bread, and the whole stay of waters; the mighty man, and the man of war, etc. - To "remove the whole stay of bread, and the whole stay of waters, "signifies all the good of love and truth of faith, from which spiritual life exists; "bread" denotes the good of love, and "water" the truth of faith; and a "staff" and a "stay" denote powers, and thence all things appertaining to spiritual life. To "remove the mighty man and the man of war", signifies all resistance against evils and falsities; to "remove the judge and the prophet", signifies all the good and truth of doctrine; and to "remove the diviner and the old man", means all intelligence and wisdom. Apocalypse Explained 433.

3. The commander of fifty, and the honourable, and the counsellor, and the wise in magic, and the intelligent in incantation.

4. And I will make boys their rulers, and infants shall govern them.

5. And the people shall be oppressed, one man by another, and a man by his neighbour: the boy shall raise himself up against the aged, and the despised against the honoured.

Verse 3. Incantations were in use among the ancients, and were performed three ways: First, By keeping another's hearing and thereby his mind continually attending to what they were saying and talking of, by not relaxing their speech or allowing any intermission, and at the same time by aspiring and inspiring thought joined with affection by the breath into the sound of the voice, by which means the hearer could not think anything from himself; in this manner the lovers of falsehood violently infused their falsities. Secondly, They infused a persuasion, which was done by detaining the mind from everything of a contrary nature, and directing the attention solely to the idea of what was said by themselves, hence the spiritual sphere of the enchanter's mind dispelled the spiritual sphere of the other's mind, and stifled it; this was the kind of spiritual fascination which the magi formerly made use of, and it was called tying up or shackling the understanding. This sort of incantation or enchantment appertained only to the spirit or thought, but the former was also for the lips or speech. Thirdly, The hearer kept his mind so fixed in his opinion, that he almost shut his ears against hearing anything from the speaker - which was done by holding his breath, and sometimes by a tacit mussitation, and so by a continued negation of his adversary's sentiment. This kind of incantation was practised by those who heard others; but the two former by those who spake to others. These three kinds of incantation were practised by the ancients, and are still in use among infernal spirits; but among men in the world, there remains only the third kind among those who have confirmed in themselves false principles of religion from the pride of their own intelligence, for these, when they hear things contrary thereto, do not admit them into their thought any nearer than just into contact, and then from the interior bosom of their mind they send forth, as it were, fire which consumes them of which the other does not know anything but by conjecture from the face and sound of the voice in the reply, provided the enchanter does not restrain by dissimulation that fire, that is, the anger of his pride. This incantation is at this day the cause that truths are not accepted, and with many that they are not understood. That in ancient times many magic arts prevailed, and among these incantations, is evident from Moses. (Deuteronomy 18:9-11)

A persuasion of what is false, and the consequent destruction of the Truth is signified in the following passages:

"By the incantation of Babylon all nations were seduced." (Revelation 18:23. See also Isaiah 47:10-12; 2 Kings 9:22)

On the other hand, "incantation" [is used in a good sense], and signifies the rejection of what is false by means of Truths, which was also effected by tacit thought and mussitation, out of zeal for Truth in opposition to what is false, as is plain from Psalm 58:4, 5; Jeremiah 8:17; Isaiah 26:16. (See Hebrew text.) Apocalypse Revealed 462.

6. Then a man shall take hold of his brother of the house of his father [saying], You have raiment; be you a prince over us, and let this [our] ruin be under your hand.

7. In that day shall he lift up [his voice], saying, I will not be a binder up [of wounds]; for in my house is neither bread nor raiment: make me not a prince of the people.

Verses 6. 7. Then a man shall take hold of his brother, etc. - The subject here treated of, in the internal sense, is concerning the perverted state of the church, when Truth is no longer acknowledged to be truth, nor is it known what Good is. "A man's taking hold of his brother in the house of his father", denotes the acknowledging of everything whatsoever to be good; "raiment denotes truth; "prince", the primary principle of doctrine thence derived. "In my house is neither bread nor raiment, means that there was neither Good nor Truth. Arcana Coelestia 3703 Arcana Coelestia 3703[1-23].

Verses 6, 7, 17-24. The "garment" which the prince had, denotes the truth appertaining to doctrine; the various "clothing and ornaments of the daughters of Zion", which are here enumerated are all kinds and species of Good and Truth, whereof they were to be deprived, Arcana Coelestia 2576.

8. For Jerusalem stumbles, and Judah falls; because their tongue and their doings are against Jehovah, to rebel against the eyes of His glory.

9. The obstinacy of their countenance doth witness, against them, and they declare their sin as Sodom; they hide it not. Woe unto their soul! for to themselves have they rewarded evil.

Verse 8. Because their tongue and their doings are against Jehovah, to rebel against the eyes of His glory. - Signifies that all their doctrine and their life is altogether against Divine Truth; "tongue" denoting doctrine; "doings", the life; and "the eyes of the glory of Jehovah", the Divine Truth; to "rebel", is to be against it. Apocalypse Explained 433.

Verses 8, 9. Because their tongue and their doings are against Jehovah, etc. the obstinacy of their countenances, etc. - By Their tongue and their doings which are against Jehovah", are signified thought and affection : by the "tongue", thought, because the tongue speaks what the man thinks; and by the "doings", affection, because a man does what is of his affection. These are "against Jehovah and rebel against the eyes of His glory", when they are against the Divine Good and against the Divine Truth; for by "Jehovah", in the Word, is understood the Lord as to Divine Good proceeding from His Divine Love, and by His "glory" is understood the Divine Truth; to be against this is signified by "rebelling against the eyes of His glory."The"obstinacy of their countenances which witnesses against them", signifies the refusal and non-admission of divine Truth and divine Good into their thoughts and affections, which are their interiors, and are signified by "countenances" or faces. Apocalypse Explained 412.

10. Say you to the just, that good [shall be their portion]; for the fruit of their doings shall they eat.

Verse 10. - By "the just, or righteous, eating the fruit of their doings", is signified the celestial Good which man receives by a life according to divine Truth from the Lord, and, as it were, acquires to himself by his own labour and study. Apocalypse Explained 617.

11. Woe to the wicked! evil [shall be his portion]; for the reward of his hands shall be given him,

Verse 11. - Inasmuch as few know what is properly understood by "reward", it shall here be briefly explained. By "reward", when predicated of the good, is properly understood that delight, satisfaction, and blessedness which is contained in the love or affection of Good and Truth, for that love or that affection has in itself all the joy of heart which is called heavenly joy, and also heaven. The reason is, because the Lord is in that love, or in that affection, and with the Lord is also heaven. This joy, therefore, or this delight, satisfaction, and blessedness is what is properly understood by the reward which they shall receive who do good and speak truth from the love and affection of Good and Truth, thus from the Lord, and by no means from themselves; and whereas they act and speak from the Lord and not from themselves, therefore the reward is not of merit but of grace. From these considerations it may appear that he who knows what heavenly joy is, may know also what reward is; what heavenly joy is, in its essence, may be seen in the work concerning Heaven and Hell 395-414; this, therefore, is signified by the "reward" which is given to those who are in truths from good. But the "reward" of those who are in falsities from evil, is joy or delight, satisfaction, and blessedness in the world, but hell after their departure out of the world. Apocalypse Explained 695.

12. As for My people, children are their oppressors, and - women lord it over them: My people! your leaders cause you to err, and abolish the way of your paths.

Verse 12. By "oppressors or exactors, infants, and women", are signified those who violate, are ignorant of, and, pervert truths; by "oppressors or exactors", those who violate truths; by "infants", they who are ignorant of them; and by "women", the cupidities which pervert them. The "leaders who cause to err", signify those who teach; to "abolish the way of the paths", signifies' not to know the leading truth. Apocalypse Explained 555.

13. Jehovah shall set up Himself to plead; He stands to judge the peoples.

Verse 13. Jehovah stands to judge the peoples. - It is also said concerning the Lord Himself, that He "stood to judge", because it is said of the Divine Proceeding from the Lord, which is called Divine Truth, inasmuch as judgment is from it: thus in Isaiah, - "Jehovah has set Himself up to plead, and stands to judge." Apocalypse Explained 639.

14. Jehovah will enter into judgment with the elders of His people, and with the princes thereof: for you have burnt up the vineyard; the plunder of the poor is in your houses.

Verse 14. By "the elders of the people and the princes", are signified the same as by the twelve disciples, namely all of the church who are in the truths and goods thereof, and, in the abstract sense, the truths and goods of the church in every complex. Apocalypse Explained 851.

For, you have burnt up the vineyard. - "Vineyard" manifestly denotes the church as to the good and truth of faith; for the "elders", with whom Jehovah will come into judgment, denote the goods of the church, and "princes" denote the truths thereof. Arcana Coelestia 9130.

The reason why to "desolate" denotes to deprive by lusts, and thereby to consume, is because by the term, which in the original tongue is expressed "to desolate", is properly signified to set on fire and burn up, hence also to devour and consume; and this being the derivation of, that expression, by "desolating" is here signified the consumption which is effected by lusts; since the lusts appertaining to man are fires which consume; for there appertains to man the fire of life, and the light of faith; the fire of life is his love, and the light of life is his faith. The love of good, that is, love to the Lord and love towards the neighbour, constitute the fire of life appertaining to a good man and to an angel of heaven, and the love of truth and the faith, of truth constitute the light of life appertaining to them: but the love of evil, that is, the love of self and the love of the world, constitute the fire of life appertaining to an evil man and to a spirit of hell; and. the love of the false, and the faith of the false, constitute the lumen of life appertaining to them; but the love of evil is called, in the Word, the "burning of fire", because it burns and consumes those things which are of the love of good and truth. That consumption by lusts is signified by that expression in the original tongue, is evident from the following passage :

"Jehovah will come into judgment with the elders of his people, and the princes thereof; you have consumed [set fire to] the vineyard." Arcana Coelestia 9141.

15. What mean you, that you tread down My people, and grind the faces of the poor? says the Lord Jehovih of Hosts.

Verse 15. What mean you, that you tread down My people, and grind the faces of the poor? - To "grind the faces of the poor", signifies to destroy the affections of knowing truth with those who are in ignorance thereof, and yet desire to be instructed; to "grind" signifying to-destroy, and "faces", the affections of knowing truths, and "the 'poor", those who are in ignorance of truth, and desire to be instructed, for these are they who are spiritually poor. Apocalypse Explained 412.

Saith the Lord JEHOVIH of Hosts. - In the Word frequent mention is made of the Lord JEHOVIH, yea, wherever Jehovah the Lord is spoken of, He is called not Lord JEHOVAH but Lord JEHOVIH; and He is especially so called where the subject treated of is concerning temptations; as in Isaiah, - "Behold, the Lord JEHOVIH will come with strong hand, and His arm shall rule for Him: behold, His recompense is with Him, and His work before Him, He shall feed His flock like a shepherd: He shall gather His lambs with His arm, and carry them in His bosom, and shall gently lead those that give suck"; (Isaiah 40:10, 11) where the Lord JEHOVIH "coming with strong hand" denotes victory in temptation-combats, and "His arm ruling for Him "means that it is derived from His own power: What the "recompense" is, which was spoken of in the preceding verse, is here declared, that is, that it is the salvation of the whole human race, which is what is meant by "His feeding His flock as a shepherd; gathering the lambs with His arm, carrying them in His bosom, and gently leading those that give suck"; all which are operations of inmost or Divine Love. Arcana Coelestia 1793. See also Apocalypse Explained 601, 850.

16. Moreover says Jehovah, Because the daughters of Zion are haughty, and walk with the neck stretched forth and with ogling eyes, and mincing as they walk, and tinkling with their feet:

Verses 16-22. The "daughters of Zion: who are haughty, or extol themselves", denote the affections of evil within the church; the "rings. and the ornaments of the nose", which shall be taken away denote Good and its badges; the "dress-vestments, or changeable suits of apparel, and the mantles", denote Truth and its badges. Arcana Coelestia 3013.

17. The Lord will make bald the crown of the daughters of Zion; and Jehovah will lay bare their nakedness,

Verse 17. - The "daughters of Zion" signify the celestial church, and the things belonging to that church, but in this case perverted; by the "crown of the head which shall be made bald" is signified intelligence, of which it shall be deprived; and the "buttock which shall be made naked" signifies the love of evil and of the false. Apocalypse Explained 240

18. In that day the Lord will remove the ornament of their ankle-bands, and of their networks, and of their moon -like crescents ;

19., And the ear-rings, and the bracelets, and the thin veils;

20. The turbans, the stepping-chains, and the head-bands, and the scent-boxes, and the amulets;

21. The finger-rings, and the ornaments of the nose ;

22. The dress-vestments, and the tunics, and the shawls, and the purses;

23. The min-ors, and the fine linen [shifts], and the hoods, and the large veils.

24. And instead of perfume there shall be putridity; and instead of a girdle, a rent; and instead of braided-work [of hair], baldness; and instead of a robe, a wrapper of sackcloth; and a brand [mark] instead of beauty.

25. Your men shall fall by the sword, and your strength in the war.

Verses 18-25. They who do not think beyond the sense of the letter, know no other than that all those things, with which the daughters of Zion are said to be adorned, are to be understood according to the letter; and that on account of their ornament, and the loftiness and pride thence derived, the men of that kingdom would perish, for it is said that "your men shall fall by the sword, and your strength in "war"; but that such things are not meant, may be known to those who elevate the mind in some degree above the letter; these know, from various passages in the Word, that by "the daughters of Zion" are not meant the daughters of Zion, but such things as are of the church; as also by "the daughters of Jerusalem", "the daughters of Judah", and several others. When therefore the church, and those things which are of the church, are signified by "the daughters of Zion", it follows that, by their" ornaments", recounted in the above passage, are signified the truths and goods of the church, and that each ornament denotes some specific truth and good; for in the Word nothing is said without a meaning, not even one expression; and whereas that church was to be deprived of its truths and goods, which are signified by those ornaments; therefore it is said, that "instead of a perfume, shall be putridity; instead of a girdle, a rent; instead of braided-work [of hair], baldness; instead of a robe, a wrapper or girding of sackcloth; a brand or burning, instead of beauty"; and also that "your men should fall by the sword, and your-strength in war:" for by "perfume" is signified Divine Truth, as to its perceptive principles; by "putridity" [or a stench], its privation; by a "girdle" is signified the bond containing truths and goods in their connection; a "rent" instead of it, denotes their dissolution and dissipation; by "braided-work [of hair]", scientific truth; by "baldness", the deprivation of the intelligence of truth and of the wisdom of good; by "burning", their consumption by the evils of self-love; by "beauty", the form of truth derived from good in the church, thus its perfection; and by a "sword", whereby men shall fall, , the false principle destroying truth and good; by "no strength in war" is signified not any resistance against evil and the false, for "war" denotes spiritual combat and temptation. From these consideratlons, it is now evident that by "ornaments" in general, is signified the Divine Truth of the church. Arcana Coelestia 10540 See also Apocalypse Explained 637.

Verse 24. "Perfume" [or sweet smell], denotes interior truth; "putridity" [or stench], the privation thereof. Arcana Coelestia 10199.

26. And her gates shall lament and mourn; and she being desolate shall sit on the ground.

Verse 26. By "gates" are signified knowledges of what is true and good out of the Word, because by them man is introduced [as through gates] into the church. Apocalypse Revealed 899.

"Lamentation and mourning" [here predicated of the gates of

Jerusalem], signify grief on account of the devastation of the church as to Truths and as to Good. Apocalypse Explained 555.

To be "desolate and naked", signifies to be destitute of all Truth and Good. Apocalypse Explained 1081.

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Isaiah Chapter 3

1. For, behold, the Lord, Jehovah of Hosts, removes from Jerusalem and from Judah the stay and the staff; the whole stay of bread, and the whole stay of waters;

2. The mighty man, and the man of war, the judge, and the prophet, and the diviner, and the old man;

3. The commander of fifty, and the honourable, and the counsellor, and the wise in magic, and the intelligent in incantation.

4. And I will make boys their rulers, and infants shall govern them.

5. And the people shall be oppressed, one man by another, and a man by his neighbour: the boy- shall raise himself up against the aged, and the despised against the honoured.

6. Then a man shall take hold of his brother of the house of his father [saying], You have raiment; be you a prince over us, and let this [our] ruin be under your hand.

7. In that day shall he lift up [his voice], saying, ~ will not be a binder up [of wounds]; for in my house is neither bread nor raiment : make me not a prince of the people.

8. For Jerusalem stumbles, and Judah falls; because their tongue and their doings are against Jehovah, to rebel against the eyes of His glory.

9. The obstinacy of their countenance doth witness, against them, and they declare their sin as Sodom; they hide it not. Woe unto their soul! for to themselves have they rewarded evil.

10. Say you to the just, that good [shall be their portion]; for the fruit of their doings shall they eat.

11. Woe to the wicked! evil [shall be his portion]; for the reward of his hands shall be given him,

12. As for My people, children are their oppressors, and - women lord it over them: My people! your leaders cause you to err, and abolish the way of your paths.

13. Jehovah shall set up Himself to plead; He stands to judge the peoples.

14. Jehovah will enter into judgment with the elders of His people, and with the princes thereof: for you have burnt up the vineyard; the plunder of the poor is in your houses.

15. What mean you, that you tread down My people, and grind the faces of the poor? says the Lord Jehovih of Hosts.

16. Moreover says Jehovah, Because the daughters of Zion are haughty, and walk with the neck stretched forth and with ogling eyes, and mincing as they walk, and tinkling with their feet:

17. The Lord will make bald the crown of the daughters of Zion; and Jehovah will lay bare their nakedness,

18. In that day the Lord will remove the ornament of their ankle-bands, and of their networks, and of their moon-like crescents ;

19., And the ear-rings, and the bracelets, and the thin veils;

20. The turbans, the stepping-chains, and the head-bands, and the scent- boxes, and the amulets;

21. The finger-rings, and the ornaments of the nose ;

22. The dress-vestments, and the tunics, and the shawls, and the purses;

23. The min-ors, and the fine linen [shifts], and the hoods, and the large veils.

24. And instead of perfume there shall be putridity; and instead of a girdle, a rent; and instead of braided-work [of hair], baldness; and instead of a robe, a wrapper of sackcloth; and a brand [mark] instead of beauty.

25. Your men shall fall by the sword, and your strength in the war.

26. And her gates shall lament and mourn; and she being desolate shall sit on the ground.

695. And to give reward to His ¹ servants, the prophets and the saints, signifies heaven to those who are in the truths of doctrine and in a life according to them. This is evident from the signification of "giving reward," as being salvation, and thus heaven; also from the signification of "His servants the prophets," as being those who are in the truths of doctrine, for those are called "servants of the Lord" who are in truths, because truths are serviceable for bringing forth, confirming, and preserving good, and whatever serves good serves the Lord, since every good is from the Lord. Those are called "prophets" who teach doctrine, thus in an abstract sense they signify doctrine. (That those are called "servants of God" who are in truths see above, n. 6, 409; and "prophets" who teach doctrine, and in an abstract sense doctrines, n. 624.) The above is evident also from the signification of "saints" as being those who are in the truths of doctrine from the Word and in a life according to them (See above, n. 204). From this it is clear that "to give reward to His servants, the prophets and saints," signifies heaven to those who are in the truths of doctrine and in a life according to them.

[2] That "reward" signifies salvation, and thus heaven, can be seen without amplification and explanation; but as few know what is properly meant by "reward" it shall be told. "Reward" means properly that delight, blessedness, and happiness that is in the love or affection of good and truth. This love or affection has in itself all joy of heart, which is called heavenly joy, and also heaven; and for the reason that the Lord is in that love or affection, and with the Lord is heaven; consequently such joy, or such delight, blessedness, and happiness, is what is properly meant by the "reward" that those will receive who do good and speak truth from the love or affection of good and truth, thus from the Lord, and in no wise from themselves; and as they do this from the Lord and not from themselves it is not a reward of merit but a reward of grace. This shows that whoever knows what heavenly joy is also knows what reward is. (What heavenly joy is in its essence can be seen in the work on Heaven and Hell 395-414.) This, therefore, is what is meant by the "reward" that those have who are in truths from good. But the "reward" that those have who are in falsities from evil is joy or delight, good fortune, and happiness in the world, but hell after their departure out of the world.

[3] From these few words the signification of "reward" in the following passages can be seen. In Isaiah:

Behold the Lord Jehovih cometh in strength; behold His reward is with Him, and the wages of His work are with ² Him (Isaiah 40:10).

In the same:

Say to the daughter of Zion, Behold thy salvation cometh, and the wages of His work are with ³ Him (Isaiah 62:11).

And in Revelation:

Behold I come quickly, and My reward is with Me to give to each one as his work shall be (Revelation 22:12).

"Behold the Lord Jehovih cometh in strength," and "Behold thy salvation cometh," and "Behold He cometh quickly," signify the first and second coming of the Lord. "His reward is with Him" signifies heaven and all things belonging to it, as above, since where the Lord is, there heaven is, for heaven is not heaven from the angels there, but from the Lord with the angels. That heaven will be received in the measure of the love and affection of good and truth from the Lord is meant by "the wages of His work are before Him," and by "He will give to each one as his work shall be." No other work is meant by the "work" for which heaven is given as a reward than work from the love or affection of good and truth, for from that must be every work with man from which is heaven. For a work derives its all from love or affection, just as the effect derives its all from the effecting cause, therefore such as the love or affection is, such is the work. Thence it may be clear what is meant by "the work according to which it shall be given to everyone," and what is meant by "the wages of work."

[4] Likewise in Isaiah:

I Jehovah love judgment, I will give the reward of their work in truth, and will make with them a covenant of eternity (Isaiah 61:8).

The "judgment that Jehovah loves" signifies truth in faith, in affection, and in act, for man has judgment from truth, both when he thinks and desires truth, and when he speaks truth and acts according to it; and as this is what is signified by "judgment," therefore it is said "I will give the reward of their work in truth," that is, heaven according to the faith of truth and the affection of it in act; and as from this is conjunction with the Lord, from whom reward comes, therefore it is added, "I will make with them a covenant of eternity," "covenant" signifying in the Word conjunction by love, and "a covenant of eternity" conjunction by the love of good and truth, for that love conjoins, since it is of the Lord Himself and proceeds from Him.

[5] That loving good and truth for the sake of good and truth is reward, for the reason that the Lord and heaven are in that love, can also be seen from the following passages. In Matthew:

Do not ye your alms before men; to be seen by them, for otherwise ye have no reward with your Father who is in the heavens. When thou doest alms sound not a trumpet before thee, as the hypocrites do, in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory from men; verily I say to you they have their reward. But thou, when thou doest alms, let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth, that thine alms may be in secret; then thy Father who seeth in secret will reward thee openly. And when thou prayest thou shalt not be as the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men; verily I say unto you, they have their reward; but when thou prayest enter into thy chamber, and shutting thy door pray to thy Father who is in secret; then thy Father who seeth in secret shall reward thee openly (Matthew 6:1-6).

"Alms" in the most general sense signifies every good that man wills and does, and "to pray" signifies in the same sense every truth that man thinks and speaks. Those who do these two things "to be seen," that is, that they may be manifest, do good and speak truth for the sake of self and the world, that is, for the sake of glory, which is the delight of self-love that the world affords. Because delight in glory is the reward of such it is said "they have their reward;" but this delight in glory, which in the world seems to them like heaven, is changed after death into hell. But those who do good and speak truth, not for the sake of self and the world but for the sake of good itself and truth itself, are meant by those who "do alms in secret," and who "pray in secret," for they act and pray from love or affection, thus from the Lord; this, therefore, is loving good and truth for the sake of good and truth; and of such it is said that "the Father in the heavens will reward them openly." Thus "reward" is to be in goods and truths from love or affection, which is the same as being in them from the Lord, since in these is heaven and every blessedness and happiness of heaven.

[6] In Luke:

When thou makest a dinner or a supper call not the rich, lest haply they should call thee in turn; and a recompense be made to thee; but call the poor; then shalt thou be blessed, for they have not wherewith to recompense thee; for it shall be recompensed thee in the resurrection of the dead (Luke 14:12-14).

"To make a dinner and a supper and to call to them" has a similar signification as giving to eat and drink, or bread and wine, namely, doing good to the neighbor, and teaching truth, and being thus consociated in love; so those who do this for the purpose of being recompensed do it not for the sake of good and truth, thus not from the Lord, but for the sake of self and the world, thus from hell; while those who do this not for the purpose of being recompensed, do it for its own sake, that is, for the sake of good and truth, and those who do it for the sake of good and truth do it from good and truth, thus from the Lord, from whom are good and truth with man. The heavenly blessedness that is in such deeds and thence from them is "reward" and is meant by "it shall be recompensed thee in the resurrection of the dead."

[7] In the same:

Rather love your enemies, and do good and lend, hoping for nothing again; then shall your reward be much, and ye shall be sons of the Most High (Luke 6:35).

This has a similar signification as the previous passage, namely, that good is not to be done for the sake of recompense, that is, for the sake of self and the world, thus not for the sake of reputation, glory, honor, and gain, but for the Lord's sake, that is, for the sake of good itself and truth itself which are with such from the Lord, thus in which the Lord is. "To love enemies and do good to them" means here, in the nearest sense, to love the Gentiles and do good to them, which is to be done by teaching them truth and leading them by it to good; for the Jewish nation called their own people brethren and friends, but the Gentiles they called adversaries and enemies. "To lend" signifies to communicate goods and truths of doctrine from the Word; "to hope for nothing again" signifies, not for the sake of anything of self and of the world, but for the sake of good and truth; "then shall your reward be much" signifies that then they shall have heaven with its blessedness and delights; "and ye shall be sons of the Most High" signifies because they do these things not from self but from the Lord; for he who does good and teaches truth from the Lord is the Lord's son, but not he who does good from self, which is what everyone does who looks to honor and gain as his end.

[8] In Matthew:

He that receiveth a prophet in the name of a prophet shall receive a prophet's reward; he that receiveth a righteous man in the name of a righteous man shall receive a righteous man's reward. Whosoever shall give to drink unto one of these little ones a cup of cold [water] only in the name of a disciple, he shall not lose his reward (Matthew 10:41, 42).

How these words of the Lord are to be understood no one can see except from their internal or spiritual sense; for who can know what is meant by "receiving a prophet's reward" and "a righteous man's reward," and by "receiving a prophet and a righteous man in the name of a prophet and a righteous man;" also what is meant by the "reward" that he will receive who "shall give to drink unto one of the little ones a cup of cold [water] only, in the name of a disciple"? Without the internal spiritual sense, who can see that these words mean that everyone shall receive heaven and its joy in the measure of his affection of truth and good, and in the measure of his obedience?

[9] This meaning becomes evident when it is seen that "prophet" means the truth of doctrine, "righteous man" the good of love, and "disciple" the truth and good of the Word and of the church, and that "in their name" means for the sake of these, and according to their quality with those who do and teach them; also that "reward" means heaven, as has been said above, namely, that everyone has heaven in the measure of his affection of truth and good, and according to its quality and quantity; for on these affections all things of heaven are inscribed, since no one can have these affections except from the Lord, for it is the Divine proceeding from the Lord in which and from which is heaven.

[10] "To give to drink unto one of these little ones a cup of cold [water] only in the name of a disciple" means to do good and teach truth from obedience, for "water" signifies the truth in affection, and "cold [water]" truth in obedience, for obedience alone is a natural, not a spiritual, affection, and is therefore comparatively cold; and a "disciple" in whose name or for whose sake it is "given to drink" signifies the truth and good of the Word and of the church. (That "a prophet" signifies the truth of doctrine can be seen above, n. 624); that "a righteous man" signifies the good of love, n. 204; that a "disciple" signifies the truth and good of the Word and of the church, n. 100, 122; and that "name" signifies the quality of a thing and ⁴ state, n. 102, 135, 148, 676.)

[11] In Mark:

Whosoever shall give you a cup of water to drink in My name, because ye are Christ's, verily I say unto you he shall not lose his reward (Mark 9:41).

This also means that those shall receive the delight of heaven who from affection hear, receive, and teach the truth because truth and the affection of it are from the Lord, thus for the Lord's sake, and accordingly for the truth's sake, since "because ye are Christ's" signifies for the sake of Divine truth proceeding from the Lord. (That "Christ" means the Lord in regard to Divine truth, and thus Divine truth proceeding from the Lord, may be seen above, n. 684, 685.)

[12] In Zechariah:

The foundation of the house of Jehovah of Hosts hath been laid, the temple, that it may be built; for before these days there was no reward of man, nor reward of beast, and to him that went out and to him that came in there was no peace from the adversary. Now the seed of peace, the vine shall give its fruit, and the land shall give its produce, and the heavens shall give their dew (Zechariah 8:9, 10, 12).

This was said of the New Church to be established by the Lord when the old had been laid waste; the New Church that is to be established is signified by "the house of Jehovah of Hosts" whose foundations have been laid, and by "the temple" that was to be built, "the house of Jehovah" signifying the church in respect to good, and "the temple" the church in respect to truth (See above, n. 220). That before this, no one had any spiritual affection of truth and good or any natural affection of truth and good is signified by "before these days there was no reward of man, nor reward of beast;" "man" signifying the spiritual affection of truth, and "beast" the natural affection of good, and "reward" heaven, which those have who are in the affections of truth and good. (That "man" signifies the spiritual affection of truth, and consequent intelligence, may be seen above, n. 280, 546, 547; and that "beast" signifies the natural affection, n. 650.)

[13] "To him that went out and to him that came in there was no peace from the adversary" signifies that heretofore they had been infested by hell in every state of life; "to go out and come in" signifying the state of life from beginning to end, "there was no peace" signifying infestation by evils and falsities therefrom, and "adversary" signifying hell, the source of evils and falsities. "The seed of peace" signifies the truth of heaven and the church, which is from the Lord; this is called "the seed of peace" because it defends from the hells and gives security. "The vine shall give fruit and the land produce" signifies that the spiritual affection of truth shall bring forth the good of charity, and the natural affection of good and truth shall bring forth the works of charity; "vine" signifying the church in respect to the spiritual affection of truth, "land" the church in respect to the natural affection of truth, "fruit" the good of charity, and "produce" the works of that good. "The heavens shall give dew" signifies that these things are from influx through heaven from the Lord.

[14] In John:

Lift up your eyes and behold the fields, that they are white already for harvest; and he that reapeth receiveth reward and gathereth fruit unto life eternal, that he that soweth and he that reapeth may rejoice together (John 4:35, 36).

This, too, is said of a New Church from the Lord. That it is at hand is signified by "the fields that are white already for harvest;" those of that church who are in the spiritual affection of truth, and thence in heaven, are meant by "he that reapeth receiveth reward and gathereth fruit unto life eternal;" and the Lord Himself, from whom is that affection of truth, and heaven, is meant by "he that soweth may rejoice together with him that reapeth."

[15] In Jeremiah:

Rachel weeping for her sons, she refuseth to be comforted for her sons because they are not. But refrain thy voice from weeping and thine eyes from tears, for there is reward for thy labor, for they shall return from the land of the enemy; and there is hope for thy latter end, for thy sons shall return to their own border (Jeremiah 31:15-17; Matthew 2:18).

This refers to the infant boys put to death in Bethlehem by command of Herod, as is evident from the passage cited in Matthew; but what this signifies has not heretofore been known. The signification is that when the Lord came into the world there was no spiritual truth remaining; for "Rachel" represented the internal spiritual church, and "Leah" the external natural church, "Bethlehem" the spiritual, and "the boys put to death" truth from that origin. That there was no spiritual truth any longer remaining is signified by "Rachel weeping for her sons, she refuseth to be comforted for her sons, because they are not."

[16] That henceforth there will be no grief on that account, because the Lord has been born, from whom there will be a New Church that will be in truths from spiritual affection, is signified by "refrain thy voice from weeping and thine eyes from tears, for there is reward for thy labor," "His reward" signifying heaven for those who will be of that church from the spiritual affection of truth, and "labor" signifying the Lord's combats against the hells and the subjugation of the hells that a New Church may be established. That the New Church will be established in the place of the one that perished is signified by "they shall return from the land of the enemy, and there is hope for the latter end," also by "thy sons shall return to their own border;" "to return from the land of the enemy" signifying to be brought out of hell; "hope for the latter end" signifying the end of the former church and the beginning of the new, and "the sons shall return to their own border" signifying that spiritual truths will exist with those who will be of that New Church.

[17] In Isaiah:

I said, I have labored in vain, I have consumed my strength in emptiness and vanity; yet surely my judgment is with Jehovah, and the reward of my work with my God (Isaiah 49:4).

This, again, is said of the establishment of the New Church by the Lord. That it could not be established with the Jewish nation, because truths could not be received by that nation with any spiritual affection, is meant by "I said, I have labored in vain, I have consumed my strength in emptiness and vanity;" that still a spiritual church is being provided by the Lord, namely, among the Gentiles, is signified by "my judgment is with Jehovah, and the reward of my work is with my God;" "reward" here signifying the church that is in the spiritual affection of truth; and "labor and work" signifying the Lord's combat against the hells and their subjugation, by which the Lord restored the equilibrium between heaven and hell, in which man is able to receive truth and to become spiritual. (On this equilibrium see in the work Heaven and Hell 589-603, and in the small work Last Judgment 33, 34, 73, 74.)

[18] In David:

Behold, sons are a heritage of Jehovah, the fruit of the womb is a reward; as darts in the hand of the mighty so are the sons of youth; happy is the man that hath his quiver full of them, they shall not be ashamed when they shall speak with enemies in the gate (Psalms 127:3-5).

What is here signified by "sons," "fruit of the womb," "darts," "quiver," and "enemies in the gate," may be seen above n. 357; and that "reward" here also signifies the happiness that those have who are in heaven.

[19] In the Gospels:

Blessed are ye when men shall revile you and persecute you, and say every evil word against you falsely for Christ's sake, rejoice and exult, for much is your reward in the heavens; for so persecuted they the prophets who were before you (Matthew 5:11, 12; Luke 6:22, 23).

This is said of those who fight and conquer in temptations induced by evils, that is, by hell; temptations are signified by "reviling," "persecuting," and "saying an evil word falsely for Christ's sake," for temptations are assaults and infestations of truth and good by falsities and evils; "Christ" means Divine truth from the Lord which is assaulted and on account of which they are infested. "Rejoice and exult, for much is your reward in the heavens," signifies heaven with its joy which those have who are in the spiritual affection of truth, for such only fight and conquer, since the Lord resists and conquers for the man in the combats of temptations, and He is in that affection; "for so persecuted they the prophets who were before you" signifies that previously the truths of doctrine with those who were in the spiritual affection of truth had in like manner been assaulted, for "prophets" in a sense abstracted from persons signify truths from the Word or from the Lord. From what has thus far been cited from the Word it can be seen that "reward" signifies heaven in respect to its blessedness, happiness, and delight, which those have who are in the spiritual affection of truth and good, and that the reward is that affection itself; for it is the same whether you say heaven or that affection, for heaven is in that affection and from it.

[20] But those who speak truth and do good not from spiritual affection but from merely natural affection, and who think continually of heaven as a reward, were represented in the Israelitish church by "hired servants," respecting whom there were in that church many statutes, as:

That hired servants should not eat of the Passover (Exodus 12:43, 45);

That they should not eat of the holy things (Leviticus 22:10);

That the wages of a hired servant should not abide with anyone during the night until the morning (Leviticus 19:13);

That they should not oppress a hired servant that is poor and needy, either of thy brethren or of the sojourner that is in thy land and in thy gates; in his day thou shalt give him his hire, so that the sun may not go down upon it, lest he cry against thee unto Jehovah, and it be in thee a sin (Deuteronomy 24:14, 15).

In Malachi:

I will be against the oppressors of the hired servant in his wages, of the widow, and of the fatherless, and against them that turn aside the sojourner and fear not Me (Malachi 3:5);

and elsewhere. Hired servants were forbidden to eat of the Passover and of things sanctified because they represented those that are natural and not spiritual, and the spiritual are of the church, but not so the natural. To look to heaven as a reward on account of the good that is done is natural, for the natural considers good to be from itself, thus heaven to be a reward; and this makes good meritorious. But it is otherwise with the spiritual, which acknowledges good as being not from itself but from the Lord, and thus heaven to be not from any merit but from mercy. Nevertheless, as those signified by "hired servants" still do good, although not from a spiritual affection but from a natural affection, which is obedience, and then think of heaven as a reward, they are mentioned with the "poor," the "needy," the "sojourners," the "fatherless," and the "widows," because they are in spiritual poverty; for genuine truths are obscure to them, because light from heaven does not flow in through their spiritual man into the natural; this is why they are classed with those mentioned above, and it is commanded that "their reward shall be given them before the going down of the sun." Moreover, such are in the lowest regions of the heavens, where they are servants, and are rewarded according to their works (See many things further in The Doctrine of the New Jerusalem, n.150-158).

[21] But hired servants who do not think of reward in heaven but of reward in the world, thus who do good for the sake of gain, whether it be honors or wealth, thus who do good from the love of honor or wealth, thus, for the sake of self and the world, are infernal-natural. Such "hired servants" are meant in John:

I am the good shepherd; the good shepherd layeth down his soul for the sheep. But a hired servant seeth the wolf and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth, because he is a hired servant (John 10:11-13).

And in Jeremiah:

A very fair she-calf is Egypt; destruction cometh out of the north; her hired servants are like fattened calves, for they also are turned, they flee together, they stood not, for the day of their calamity is come upon them (Jeremiah 46:20, 21);

and elsewhere (Isaiah 16:14; 21:16).

[22] Because in the Word "reward" signifies heaven, which those have who are in the spiritual love of truth and good, so in the contrary sense "reward" signifies hell, which those have who are in the love of falsity and evil. Such is the signification of "reward" in David:

He shall clothe himself with cursing as with his garment and it entereth into the midst of him as waters, and as oil among his bones. This is the reward of mine adversaries from Jehovah, and of them that speak evil against my soul (Psalms 109:18, 20).

By this in the spiritual sense the Lord is meant, for where David speaks of himself in the Psalms, in that sense the Lord is meant, David as a king representing the Lord, and thus signifying Him in relation to the Divine-spiritual, which is the Lord's royalty. "The reward of the Lord's adversaries, and of them that speak evil against His soul," is described as a hell from the love of falsity and evil, by this, that "he shall clothe himself with cursing as with his garment" and "it hath entered into the midst of him as waters, and as oil among his bones," these two expressions describing hell as received in externals and in internals, "to clothe himself with cursing as with a garment" describing the hell that is received in externals, and "cursing entering into the midst of him as waters, and as oil among his bones," describing the hell that is received in internals. It is said "as waters," and "as oil," because "waters" signify the falsities of faith, and "oil" the evils of the love, so the two expressions mean the love or affection of falsity and evil, which is hell, as can be seen also from this, that love imbibes all things that are in harmony with it, just as a sponge imbibes water and oil; for the love of evil is nourished by falsities, and the love of falsity is nourished by evils, and love being such, it is said that "cursing enters into the midst of him as waters, and as oil among his bones."

[23] Since in the contrary sense "reward" signifies hell in respect to the affection of falsity from evil, therefore the falsification of truth is here and there called in the Word "the reward of whoredom." As in Hosea:

Be not glad, O Israel, unto exultation like the nations, ⁵ for thou hast committed whoredom from under thy God; thou hast loved the reward of whoredom upon all corn-floors; the floor and the wine-vat shall not feed them ⁶ (Hosea 9:1, 2).

"To commit whoredom from under God" signifies to falsify the truths of the Word, and to apply the holy things of the church to idolatries; "to love the reward of whoredom" signifies the delight of falsifying and of falsity and of idolatry from infernal love; "upon all corn-floors" signifies all things of the Word and of doctrine from the Word, for "corn," of which bread is made, signifies all things that nourish spiritually, and "floor" signifies where these are gathered together, that is, the Word; "the floor and the wine-vat shall not feed them" signifies not to draw from the Word the good things of charity and love, that is, the things that will nourish the soul, for the "floor" here means the Word in respect to the goods of charity and the "wine-vat" the Word in respect to goods of love, the "vat" here meaning oil, for which as well as for wine there were vats; "and the new wine shall dissemble unto her" signifies that neither shall there be any truth of good; for "new wine," the same as "wine," signifies truth from the good of charity and love.

[24] In Micah:

All the graven images of Samaria shall be beaten in pieces, and all the rewards of her whoredom shall be burned up with fire, and all their idols will I lay waste; for she hath brought them together from the reward of whoredom, therefore to the reward of whoredom shall they return; for this I will lament and howl, I will go stripped and naked (Micah 1:7, 8).

"Samaria" means the spiritual church in respect to the truths of doctrine, here in respect to the falsities of doctrine; for their "graven images" signify things falsified, which are from self-intelligence; "the rewards of her whoredom that shall be burned up with fire" signify the falsifications of truth from a love of falsity from evil and the consequent infernal delight; and as that love is from hell it is said that "they shall be burned up with fire," "fire" signifying love in both senses; "and all their idols will I lay waste" signifies the falsities that must be destroyed; "for she hath brought them together from the reward of whoredom" signifies from the love of falsity that is from evil and from the consequent infernal delight; "therefore to the reward of whoredom shall they return" signifies that all things of that church will be truths falsified, because they are thence; "for this I will lament and howl" signifies the grief of the angels of heaven and of the men of the church in whom the church is, and thus with them with whom the Lord is; "I will go stripped and naked" signifies mourning because of the vastation of all truth and good. That "graven images" and "idols" signify doctrinals from self-intelligence favoring the loves of self and of the world and the principles derived therefrom, thus the falsities of doctrine, of religion, and of worship, may be seen above (n. 587, 654).

[25] In Ezekiel:

Thou hast built thy eminent place at the head of every way, and thy exalted place in every street; and hast not been as a harlot to glory in reward; the adulterous woman received strangers instead of her husband; they give reward to all harlots, but thou hast given thy rewards to all thy lovers, and hast given them presents that they might come unto thee from every side in thy whoredoms. Thus the contrary is in thee from women in thy whoredoms, that they went not after thee to commit whoredom in giving a reward, and no reward has been given to thee, therefore thou hast been contrary (Ezekiel 16:31-34).

This chapter treats of the abominations of Jerusalem, that is, of the abominable things of the Jewish Church, in that it not only perverted and adulterated the goods of the Word, but also received falsities of religion and of worship from the idolatrous nations, and thereby adulterated the truths and goods of the Word, and confirmed these adulterations. What "building an eminent place at the head of every way, and making an exalted place in every street" signifies may be seen above n. 652. That "adulteries and whoredoms" signify in the Word the adulterations and falsifications of the truth and good of the church may be seen above (n. 141, 511); therefore "not to have been as a harlot to glory in reward" signifies not to have so falsified the truths of the Word from the delight of affection; "the adulterous woman received strangers instead of her husband" signifies the truths and goods of the Word perverted by the falsities of other nations; "they give reward to all harlots, but thou hast given thy rewards to all thy lovers and hast given them presents," signifies that they loved the falsities of religion and of the worship of other nations; a "reward or gift of whoredom" meaning the love of falsifying by means of the falsities of others; "that they might come unto thee from every side in thy whoredoms" signifies that falsities were searched for from every direction, whereby truth was falsified; "thus the contrary is in thee from women in thy whoredoms, that they went not after thee to commit whoredom in giving a reward, and no reward has been given to thee, therefore thou hast been contrary," signifies the delight of the love and affection of falsifying the truths of their church by the falsities of other religions, and of confirming such falsities, "the reward or gift of whoredoms" meaning the delight of the love and affection towards the falsities of other religions.

[26] From that which has been stated, what is meant spiritually by "reward" in both senses can now be seen; for that which affects with delight and joy is spiritual reward. For example, there are riches, possessions, honors, and gifts, by which a man is rewarded for well-doing; these are not "reward," spiritually understood, but the delights and joys which spring from these; much more is this true of the heavenly reward that the man of the church who lives well will have, which is the spiritual affection of truth, and intelligence and wisdom therefrom, which is the source of blessedness and happiness. Moreover, in heaven there is opulence and magnificence which results from the heavenly love as its correspondent, but yet in heaven it is not opulence and magnificence that are regarded as reward, but the spiritual from which they are. This, too, is what is meant by "the price of a work," and by "reward," which is in the Lord and from the Lord (Isaiah 40:10; 61:8; 62:11; Luke 6:35; 14:12-14; and elsewhere).

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