Arcana Coelestia # 8804
8804. Verses 14-15 And Moses went down from the mountain to the people, and sanctified the people; and they washed their garments. And he said to the people, Be ready by the third day; do not go near a woman.
'And Moses went down from the mountain to the people' means application and preparation by the truth from God, in order that truths may be received within good. 'And sanctified the people' means covering over their interiors in order that those people may appear in the holiness of faith. 'And they washed their garments' means purification of the truths of faith. 'And he said to the people, Be ready by the third day' means complete preparation. 'Do not go near a woman' means purification of the good of faith.
1 Samuel 5:1-5
1
Now the Philistines had taken the ark of God, and they brought it from Ebenezer to Ashdod.
2
The Philistines took the ark of God, and brought it into the house of Dagon, and set it by Dagon.
3
When they of Ashdod arose early on the next day, behold, Dagon was fallen on his face to the ground before the ark of Yahweh. They took Dagon, and set him in his place again.
4
When they arose early on the next day morning, behold, Dagon was fallen on his face to the ground before the ark of Yahweh; and the head of Dagon and both the palms of his hands [lay] cut off on the threshold; only [the stump of] Dagon was left to him.
5
Therefore neither the priests of Dagon, nor any who come into Dagon's house, tread on the threshold of Dagon in Ashdod, to this day.
