9724. And its shovels, and its basins, and its fleshhooks, and its fire-tongs. That this signifies memory-knowledges that contain and that are of service for every use, is evident from the signification of “vessels” in general, as being the things of the external memory; that is, memory-knowledges (see n. 3068, 3069); and, in holy things, as being the knowledges of good and truth, which are means for the worship of the Lord (see n. 9544). Such also is the meaning of the vessels for ministration about the altar; but each vessel there must signify memory-knowledges for a particular use; thus all the vessels there signify memory-knowledges that are of service for every use.

9544. And thou shalt make the little dishes thereof, and the cups thereof, and the salvers thereof, and the little brooms thereof, with which it shall be covered. That this signifies the knowledges of celestial good and truth, is evident from the signification of “vessels” in general, as being knowledges (see n. 3068, 3079). Thus the particular vessels here enumerated denote the knowledges of celestial good and truth. Celestial good is the good of love to the Lord, and celestial truth is the good of mutual love; the knowledges of these goods are signified by the vessels in question. And as knowledges are signified, and knowledges belong to the memory of the natural man, and the natural is external, therefore it is said, “with which the table shall be covered;” for as the natural is without, or beneath, and covers and closes that which is within or above, it is called a “covering” (n. 6377). The use of these vessels may be seen in Leviticus 24:6-7, and in Numbers 4:7-8.