Say
As with many common verbs, the meaning of “to say” in the Bible is highly dependent on context. Who is speaking? Who is hearing? What is it about? Is it a command, a message, an apology, instruction? All these things enter into the meaning of “say.” In general, though, “saying” has to do with sharing truth at various levels -- from the most exalted power people can have to perceive the Lord's desires directly to the most basic of orders issued to people at their lowest.
Arcana Coelestia # 119
119. That 'Asshur' means the rational mind, that is, a person's rational, is quite clear in the Prophets, as in Ezekiel,
Behold, Asshur was a cedar in Lebanon, beautiful in its branches, and a forest shade, and of a great height, and its top among thick boughs. The waters caused it to grow, the depth of the water; made it tall, a river leading round about the place of its plantings. Ezekiel 31:3-4.
The rational is called 'a cedar in Lebanon'. 'The top among thick boughs' means facts in the memory, this being an apt description of them.
This is clearer still in Isaiah,
On that day there will be a highway from Egypt to Asshur, and Asshur will come into Egypt and Egypt into Asshur, and the Egyptians will serve Asshur. 1 On that day Israel will be the third with Egypt and Asshur, a blessing in the midst of the earth, whom Jehovah Zebaoth will bless, saying, Blessed be Egypt My people, and Asshur the work of My hands, and Israel My heritage. Isaiah 19:23-25.
Here and in many other places 'Egypt' means knowledge, 'Asshur' reason, and 'Israel' intelligence.
Poznámky pod čarou:
1. The Hebrew, of this text in Isaiah may be read in two different ways - serve Asshur or serve with Asshur. Most English versions of Isaiah prefer the second of these.
