9900. And Aaron shall carry the names of the sons of Israel. That this signifies the preservation by the Lord of good and truth in respect to all their quality, is evident from the signification of “carrying,” when said of the breastplate, by which are signified all the goods and truths of heaven (n. 9879, 9887), as being to preserve, for that which is carried upon the breast is preserved (that “to carry” also, when said of the Divine, denotes to hold together in a state of good and truth, see n. 9500, 9737); from the representation of Aaron, as being the Lord in respect to Divine good (see n. 9806); and from the signification of “the names of the sons of Israel,” as being the goods and truths of heaven and of the church in respect to all their quality (n. 9842).

9842. And engrave on them the names of the sons of Israel. That this signifies on which are impressed the truths and goods of the spiritual kingdom in respect to all their quality, is evident from the signification of “engraving on stones,” as being to impress on the memory (of which just above, n. 9841); from the signification of “names,” as being quality (n. 144, 145, 1754, 1896, 2009, 6674); and from the representation of the sons of Israel, as being all the truths and goods of the spiritual kingdom. By “the sons of Israel” are here meant the twelve tribes, because the names of these were engraved on these stones; and by “the twelve tribes” are signified all truths and goods in the complex (n. 3858, 3926, 3939, 4060, 6335, 6337); and as the church or heaven is from these, therefore by “the sons of Israel” is signified the Lord’s spiritual church and kingdom (n. 4286, 6637, 7836, 7891, 7996, 7997, 9340). From this it is evident that by “engraving on them the names of the sons of Israel” is signified to impress on the memory the whole quality of the truths and goods of the spiritual kingdom; that is, the truths and goods of this kingdom in respect to all their quality.