1085. And laid it upon the shoulder. That this signifies that they did this—that is, interpreted for good and excused—with all their might, is evident from the signification of “shoulder” as being all power. “Hand” in the Word signifies power, as shown before; “arm” signifies still greater power; and “shoulder” signifies all power, as is evident from the following passages in the Word, in Ezekiel:

Ye thrust with side and with shoulder, and push all the diseased sheep with your horns, till ye have scattered them abroad (Ezekiel 34:21).

“With side and with shoulder” means with all the soul and all the might, and “pushing with their horns” means with all the strength.

[2] Again:

That all the inhabitants of Egypt may know that I am Jehovah, because they have been a staff of reed to the house of Israel; in their taking hold of thee in the hand thou shalt be broken, and shall rend for them every shoulder (Ezekiel 29:6-7).

This is said of those who desire to explore spiritual truths by means of memory-knowledges [scientifica]. The “staff of reed” denotes such power; “taking in the hand” means trusting therein; “rending every shoulder” means being deprived of all power so as to know nothing.

[3] In Zephaniah:

That they may all call upon the name of Jehovah, to serve Him with one shoulder (Zephaniah 3:9); meaning with one soul, thus with one might.

In Zechariah:

But they refused to hearken, and turned a stubborn shoulder (Zechariah 7:11); meaning that they resisted with all their might.

In Isaiah:

They hire a goldsmith, who maketh gold and silver into a god; they adore, yea, they bow down; they bear it upon the shoulder, they carry it (Isaiah 46:6-7); meaning that they adore their idol with all their might, which is “bearing it on the shoulder.”

[4] Again:

For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given; and the government shall be upon His shoulder: and His name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, God, Hero, Father of Eternity, Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:6).This is said of the Lord, and of His power and might; and therefore it is said, “upon His shoulder.”

Again:

The key of the house of David will I lay upon His shoulder; and He shall open, and none shall shut; and He shall shut and none shall open (Isaiah 22:22).

This likewise is said of the Lord, and “to lay upon His shoulder the key of the house of David” means His power and authority.