THE EXPLANATION of Isaiah Chapter Isaiah 32

(Note: Rev. Smithson's translation of the Isaiah text is appended below the explanation)

1. BEHOLD, a King shall reign in justice, and Princes shall rule in judgment.

VERSE 1. That the Lord, as to Divine Truth, is represented in the Word by a " King", and as to Good by a " Priest", see above, Chapter 1:1, the Exposition.

2. And a man shall be as a hiding-place from the wind, as a covert from the inundation; as rivers of waters in a dry place; as the shadow of a great rock in a weary land:

Verse 2. [lt does not appear that Swedenborg has quoted this verse, but its spiritual meaning is clear from the correspondences. That Divine Truth from the Lord, in His Word, signified by "man", is the cause of all protection in temptations, and against all assaults from hell, is declared in these words, see above, Chapter 4:6, the Exposition.]

3. And the eyes of those that see shall not be dim; and the ears of those that hear shall hearken.

Verse 3. The eyes, the ears, etc. - See Chap, Isaiah 29:18; 35:4-6, the Exposition.

4. And the heart of the rash shall understand knowledge; and the tongue of the stammerers shall be ready to speak elegant things.

5. The fool shall no longer be called liberal; and the covetous shall no more be called noble:

Verse 4. By the "rash" or "precipitate" are understood those who easily catch at, and believe the things that are said, and consequently falsities also; concerning such it is said that "they shall understand knowledge", which means to receive truths. By the "stammerers" are understood those who with difficulty can apprehend the Truths of the church; that they shall confess them from affection is understood by "their tongue shall be ready or swift to speak"; "swiftness" being predicated of affection. Apocalypse Explained 455.

6. For the fool will speak folly; and his heart will work iniquity: to practise hypocrisy, and to speak error against Jehovah; to make empty the soul of the hungry, and to cause the drink of the thirsty to fail.

7. As for the covetous, his instruments are evil: he deviseth wicked devices to destroy the poor with lying words, even when the needy speaks judgment.

8. But the liberal deviseth liberal things; and by liberal things shall he be established.

Verse 6. He is called a " fool" who is in falsities and evils from the love of self thus from his own intelligence; thefalses are understood by "the folly which he speaks", and evils by "the iniquity which his heart worketh." The evils which he speaks against Goods are understood by "the hypocrisy which he practises", and the falsities which he speaks against Truths by "the error which he speaks against Jehovah." That it is for the purpose of persuading and thus of destroying those who desire Goods and Truths, is understood by "making empty the soul of the hungry", and by "causing the drink of the thirsty to fail"; the "hungry soul" are such as desire Goods, and the "thirsty desiring drink" are such as desire Truths. A" Apocalypse Explained 386.

Here by the "soul" is signified man as to the understanding of Good and Truth; by "the soul of the hungry" the understanding of Good, and by "the drink of the thirsty" the understanding of Truth. That the man who is in falsities of evil will endeavour to deprive thereof him who is in Truth from Good, is signified by "the fool speaking folly", by "making empty the soul of the hungry", and by "causing the drink of the thirsty to fail." Apocalypse Explained 750.

Verses 6, 7. In this passage by the "poor" and "needy" are understood those who are destitute of the knowledges of Truth and Good, wherefore it is said that "the covetous deviseth wicked devices to destroy the poor with lying words, even when the needy speaks judgment"; the "lying words" denote falsities, and to "speak judgment" denotes what is right. Inasmuch as such are treated of it is also said that "they practise hypocrisy, and speak error against Jehovah, to make empty the soul of the hungry, and to cause the drink of the thirsty to fail"; to "practise hypocrisy" and to "speak error" denotes to commit evil from the false, and to speak what is false from evil; to "make empty the soul of the hungry" denotes to deprive those of the knowledges of Good who desire them and to "cause the drink of the thirsty to fail" is to deprive of the knowledges of Truth those who desire them. Apocalypse Explained 238.

9. O you women that are at ease, stand up, hear My voice! O you confident daughters, give ear unto My speeeh!

10. Year upon year shall you be disquieted, O you confident ones: for the vintage has failed, the gathering shall not come in.

11. Tremble, O you women that are at ease; be you troubled, O you confident ones! strip you, make yourselves bare; and gird [sackcloth] upon your loins.

12. They shall smite upon the breasts for the pleasant fields, for the fruitful vine.

Verses 9, 10. By "the women who are at ease" are signified the cupidities of those who have no concern for the devastation of the church; by "confident daughters" are signified the cupidities of those who have confidence in self-derived intelligence; by "women " and "daughters" are signified all who are such in the church, whether they be men or women. By "the vintage which shall fail", and by "the gathering which shall not come", is signified that the Truth of the church shall be no more; for the same is denoted by "vintage" as by "vine"; namely, the Truth of the church, whence it is evident what is signified by the "gathering" thereof. Apocalypse Explained 555.

By "confident daughters" are signified those in the church who love falsities more than Truths. That with such persons Truths ate successively and in every state diminished, is signified by "their being disquieted year upon year." The entire devastation of Truth, even until nothing remains, is understood by "the vintage failing", or being consumed; and by "the gathering not coming in." Apocalypse Explained 919.

Verses 9, 11, 12. "Daughters" are affections, as shown in Arcana Coelestia 2362, 3024. To "make bare or naked", is to be deprived of Truth, see Arcana Coelestia 1073, 4958. To "gird themselves upon the loins", is to be in grief on account of Good which is lost. To "smite upon the breast"; is to be in grief on account of the Good of Truth being destroyed; and because these things are understood, it is further said, "for the pleasant fields, for the fruitful vine"; for a " field." is the church as to Good, thus the Good of the church, as may be seen, Arcana Coelestia 2971; 3196; and the "vine" is the spiritual church, thus the Good of Truth, see Arcana Coelestia 5113, 6375. Arcana Coelestia 6432.

13. Over the land of My people the thorn and the brier shall come up; yea, over all houses of joy, over the exulting city.

14. For the palace is deserted, the multitude of the city is forsaken; the cliff and the watch-tower shall be for dens for ever, a joy of wild asses, a pasture for flocks:

Verses 13, 14. "The thorn and the brier which shall come up over the land" signify the false and the evil. "The palace 'which shall be deserted" signifies where Good dwells; and "the multitude of the city which shall be forsaken" signifies where there are Truths, for a "city" signifies the doctrine of Truth. Apocalypse Explained 804.

Verse 14. By these words is described the total devastation of the church, where there is no more any Good of life or Truth of doctrine; no one, however, can know what is involved therein except from the internal sense, and from the state of things in the spiritual world. The devastation of the whole church is understood by "The palace is deserted, the multitude of the city is forsaken"; a " palace" signifies the whole church as to Truths from Good; and a "desert" signifies where there is no Good in consequence of there being no Truth; whence the "palace" being deserted or a "desert", signifies the church devastated. The "multitude of the city" signifies all the Truths of doctrine; for a "city" denotes doctrine, and "multitude" is predicated of Truths, which are said to be "forsaken" when they are not. That "the cliff and the watch-tower shall be for dens for ever", signifies that the church shall no more exist with them, because there is nothing but evil of life and the false of doctrine, which are signified by "dens", because such persons dwell in dens, as was said above; (see Chap Isaiah 2:10, the Exposition.) and inasmuch as such persons dwell in deep places in the spiritual world, and they are covered above by eminences or cliffs and beacons, so as to be hid from those who dwell upon the earths there, therefore it is, not only said that "the cliff and the watch-tower shall be for dens", but also that they should be "a joy of wild asses, and a pasture for flocks." In that world also there are many hells in deep places, altogether hid by earths, rocks, and hills above, or by eminences and beacons, where there is grass, as it were "a pasture for flocks"; whence it is that the hells are unknown to those who dwell there upon the earth. "A joy of wild asses" also signifies the affection or love of falsities; and "the pasture for flocks", in this place, the nourishment of evils from falsities; and by both is signified the devastation of Truth by falsities. From these considerations it may be seen what is the nature of the arcana contained in this and similar passages. Apocalypse Explained 410.

15. Till the spirit from on high be poured out upon us; and the wilderness, become a fruitful field; and the fruitful field be esteemed a forest.

16. And judgment shall dwell in the wilderness; and justice shall reside in the fruitful field.

Verses 15, 16. Treating of those who are in natural Good, and are being reformed, The influx out of heaven into them, is signified by "The spirit from on high shall be poured out upon you." That then Truth from a spiritual origin shall be implanted in them, is signified by "the wilderness shall become a fruitful field"; a "wilderness" denoting the natural man destitute of Truths, and the "fruitful field", or "land of corn", denoting the natural man fructified with Truths. That he has thence the science of the knowledges of Truth and Good, is signified by, "the fruitful field shall be esteemed a forest" "forest" being predicated of the natural man, as a "garden" is of the spiritual; wherefore by a "forest" is signified science, and by a "garden" intelligence. That what is right and just is thence in him, is signified by "Judgment shall dwell, in the wilderness, and justice shall reside in the fruitful field"; "judment" and "justice", in the spiritual sense, signify Truth and Good, but, in the natural sense, what is right and just. Apocalypse Explained 730.

17. And the work of justice shall be peace; and the labour of justice quietness and security for ever:

18. And My people shall dwell in a habitation of peace, and in tents of securities, and in quiet resting places.

Verses 17, 18. Peace is said to be "the work of Jehovah", because it is from the Lord only, and everything which exists by virtue of peace from the Lord, with those who are in conjunction with Him, is called "the Work of Jehovah"; whence it is said- "The work of Jehovah is peace." "The labour of justice" signifies Good conjoined with Truth, wherein peace consists; for "labour", in the Word, is predicated of Truth, "justice" of Good, and "rest" of the peace derived from their conjunction; "security for ever" signifies that thus there will be no infestation or fear from evils and falsities. Hence it is evident what is signified by its being said that "My people shall dwell in a habitation of peace, and in tents of securities, and in quiet resting places", namely, that they may be in heaven where the Lord is, and thence in the Good of love and of worship, without infestation from the hells, and thus in the delights of Good and pleasantnesses of Truth. The "habitation of peace" denotes heaven where the Lord is; "tents of securities", the Goods of love and of worship, not infested by evils and falsities, which are from hell; and "quiet resting places", the delights of Good and pleasantnesses of Truths. That "tents" signify the Goods of love and of worship, may be seen in the Arcana Coelestia n. 414, 1102, 2145. "Peace" is the happiness of the heart and the soul, arising from the conjunction of the Lord with heaven and the church, and this from the conjunction of what is Good and True with those who are there; hence there is no longer any combat of what is evil and false against what is Good and True, or no dissension or war in a spiritual sense. Hence it is peace in which all fructification of Good and all multiplication of Truth takes place, consequently all wisdom and intelligence. And because that peace is from the Lord alone, and from Him with the angels in heaven and with men in the church, therefore by "Peace", in the supreme sense, is understood the Lord, and, in a respective sense, Heaven and the Church, consequently Good conjoined with Truth in those who are there. Apocalypse Explained 365.

In respect to "Peace" and the Lord as being "the Prince of Peace", see Chapter 9:6, the Exposition.

19. But the hail shall fall, and the forest be brought down; and the city shall be laid utterly low.

20. Blessed are you who sow beside all waters, who send forth [thither] the foot of the ox and of the ass.

Verse 19. The hail shall fall. - See Chapter 28:2, 22, the Exposition.

Verse 20. Here by those "who sow beside all waters" are meant they who allow themselves to be instructed in spiritual things. That "waters" are spiritual things, thus the Intellectual things of Truth, may be seen in Arcana Coelestia 680. "Who send forth the foot of the ox and of the ass", signifies natural things which are serviceable thereto. That the "ox" is the natural principle as to Good, see Arcana Coelestia 2180, 2566; the "ass", is the natural principle as to Truth. Arcana Coelestia 2781.

To "sow beside all waters", is to be instructed in whatsoever truths may be of use [to the spiritual life]. To "send forth the foot of the ox and of the ass", is to be instructed in external goods and truths. Arcana Coelestia 9272.

That "waters" signify Truths, see above, Chapter 11:9, the Exposition.

The signification of the "horse", as denoting the understanding, is derived from no other source than from the representatives which exist in the spiritual world. In that world are frequently seen horses, and persons sitting upon horses, and also chariots: and there every one knows that they signify things intellectual and doctrinal. I myself have often observed, when any were thinking from their understanding, that at such times they appeared as if riding on horses; their meditation represented itself in this manner before others, although they themselves were ignorant of it. There is also a place in the spiritual world where many assemble who think and speak from understanding concerning the truths of doctrine; and when others approach, they see the whole plain covered with chariots and horses. Novitiate spirits who are astonished at the sight, and wonder whence it proceeds, are Instructed that it is an appearance resulting Irorn their intellectual thought. That place is called the assembly of the intelligent and the wise. I have likewise seen bright horses and chariots of fire when certain spirits were taken up into heaven, which was a sign that they were then Instructed in the truths of heavenly doctrine; and become intelligent, and thus were taken up. On seeing which, it occurred to mymind what is signified by the "chariots of fire" and the "horses of fire" which carried Elijah up into heaven, and what is signified by the "horses and chariots of fire" that were seen by the lad of Elisha when his eyes were opened.

That such is the signification of "chariots" and "horses" was perfectly well known in the ancient churches; for those churches were representative churches, and tbe science of correspondences and representations was esteemed, among the members of those churches the chief of all sciences. From those churcbes the signification of the "horse" as expressive of understanding, was derived to the wise men round about, even into Greece. Hence it was, when they would describe the sun, in which they placed their God of wisdom and intelligence, that they attributed to it a chariot and four horses of fire; and when they would describe the God of the sea, since by the "sea" were signified sciences derived from understanding; that they also attributed horses to him; and when they would describe the rise of the sciences from understanding, that they also feigned a winged horse, which, with its hoof, broke open a fountain, at which sat nine virgins called the sciences. For from the ancient churches they received this knowledge, that by tbe "horse" is signified understanding, by "wings" spiritual truth, by the "hoof" what is scientific derived from understanding, and by a "fountain" doctrine from which sciences are derived. Nor is anything else signified by the "Trojan horse" than an artificial contrivance devised by their understanding for the purpose of destroying the walls, Even at this day, when the understanding is described after the manner received from those ancients, it is usual to figure it by a "flying horse" or Pegasus; so, likewise, doctrine is described by a "fountain", and the sciences by "virgins"; but scarcely anyone knows that by the "horse", in the mystic sense, is signified understanding, still less that those signiflcatives were derived to the Gentiles from the ancient representative churches. Wliite Horse, 2-4.

Verses 1-3. Man's own intelligence is thus described. "Egypt" denotes science; a "horse", understanding thence derived; a "chariot" denotes doctrine thence derived; a "horseman", intelligence from the same origin; of all which it is said "Woe unto them who do not look to the Holy One of Israel, and do not seek Jehovah." Their destruction by evils is meant by "His arising against the house of the wicked, and against the help of those that work iniquity." That the above things originate in man's proprium, and consequently have no life in them, is meant by "Egypt being man, and not God", and' by "the horses thereof being flesh, and not spirit"; "man" and "flesh" denote man's proprium; "God" and "spirit" are life from the Lord; the "horses of Egypt" are man's own intelligence. There are several other passages in the Word, which thus describe intelligence derived from rnan's self, and derived from the Lord, which passages are to be understood only by menus of the spiritual sense. Doct. of Life, 30.

By "Egypt", in the Word, is signified the scientific [principle] which is in the natural man, and hence it also signifies the natural man; And because the natural man, with the scientific [principle] which is therein, has not any understanding, but only thought from the memory, which is a species of imagination from the objects of the sight and of hearing, and inasmuch as it is below the spiritual man, in which reside all the Good and the Truths of heaven and the church, hence by "Egypt" in most passages is signified the false scientific [principle]; for when the spiritual man does not flow in, the scientifics of the natural man are turned into mere falsities, and the thoughts of the natural man into confirmations of the false, and into ratiocinations from them against Truths. Hence it may appear what is signified by "the horses of Egypt, and by the chariots thereof", namely, by the "horses" false scientifics, and by the "chariots" doctrinals from which are ratiocinations against Truths. They, therefore, who are of such a quality do not seek Truth from any other source than from themselves, for the proprium of everyone resides in the natural man, and not in the spiritual man: wherefore instead of truths they seize falsities, and instead of goods, evils; and the latter they call Goods, and the former Truths, and trust in themselvee, because in their own proprium. These things are signified by these words "Woe unto them that go down to Egypt for help, who stay on horses; who trust in chariots, because they are many; and in horsemen, because they are very strong." The "horses" here denote false scientifics, the "chariots" doctrinals thence derived, and the "horsemen" ratiocinations thence against Truths; wherefore also it is said, "The Egyptians are man, and not God; and their horses are flesh, and not spirit"; whereby is signified that only what is merely natural is in them, and not anything spiritual, nor consequently anything of life, - "man" signifying the natural man, and "flesh" the proprium thereof, and "God" and "spirit" signifying the divine-spiritual man, and life thence derived; and inasmuch as they confide in themselves, and not in the Lord, it is said, "They look not unto the Holy One of Israel, and seek not Jehovah! " Apocalypse Explained 355.

3. For the Egyptians are man, and not God; and their horses are flesh, and not spirit: and Jehovah shall stretch forth His hand, and the helper shall stumble, and the helped shall fall; and together shall all of them be consumed.

Verse 3. And in John:

"It is the spirit which vivifieth; the flesh profits nothing." (John 63)

Again,

"that which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is generated of the Spirit is spirit." (John 3:6)

And in David:

"God remembered that they were flesh; a breath that passes away, and returns not again." (Psalm 78:39)

The evil of man's will, which is his proprium from nativity, is signified in these passages by "flesh"; likewise by "the flesh which the sons of Israel lusted after in the wilderness", and on account of which "they were smitten with a great plague", and from which the place was called "a sepulchre of coucupiscences." (Numbers 11:4-34). Apocalypse Explained 1082.

4. For thus has Jehovah said unto me, Like as the lion roars, even the young lion, over his prey, though a multitude of shepherds be called together against him, at their voice he will not be terrified, nor at their tumult will he be humbled so shall Jehovah of Hosts descend to fight for the mountain of Zion, and for the hill thereof.

Verse 4: In this passage Jehovah is compared to a "roaring lion", because by a "lion" is signified the power of leading out from hell or from evils, and by "roaring" is signified the defending against evils and falsities; wherefore it is said, "So shall Jehovah of Hosts descend to fight for the mountain of Zion, and for the hill thereof." The "mountain of Zion" and the "hill" thereof denoting the celestial church and the spiritual church.

The "prey" upon which the lion and the young lion roar, signifies deliverance from evils which are from hell. Apocalypse Explained 278.

5. As birds hovering [over their young], so shall Jehovah of Hosts protect Jerusalem; protecting, He will deliver; and passing over, He will rescue her.

6. Return unto Him, from whom you have deeply revolted, O you sons of Israel!

Verse 5. Jehovah is said to "protect Jerusalem, as birds flying [or hovering]", for by "protecting" is signified the Divine Providence as to defence; by "Jerusalem" is signified the church; and by "birds hovering", with which the comparison is made, is signified circumspection and presence, in this case as being predicated of the Lord's Omnipresence. Apocalypse Explained 282.

Verse 6. Return unto Him, etc. - See Chapter 30:15, note.

7. For in that day shall they reject every man the idols of his silver, and the idols of his gold, which their own hands have made for sin.

Verses 7, 8. By "the idols of silver and the idols of gold which they shall on that day reject", are signified the falsities and evils of religion and of worship, which they call Truths and Goods; and inasmuch as the falsities and evils of religion and of worship are from self-derived intelligence, therefore it is said, "Which their own hands have made for sin."

That there shall then be no reasonings from such things, is signified by "The Assyrian shall fall", etc. Apocalypse Explained 582.

Verses 7-9. For in that day shall they reject every man the idols of his silver, etc. - Treating concerning judgment upon those who, from self-derived intelligence, fancy themselves wise in things divine, such as are those who are in the love of self and of the world, and seek after the fame of erudition for the sake of themselves; such persons, inasmuch as they cannot see truths, seize upon falsities, and vaunt them for truths. The falsities favouring their principles and loves are signified by the "idols of silver" and the "idols of gold."

That they are from self-derived intelligence, is signified by "Their own hands have made them for sin."

That they should perish by their own falsities, is signified by "The Assyrian shall fall by a sword, not of man [vir]; yea, a sword, not of man [hominis], shall devour him"; the "Assyrian" denoting the rational principle perverted, and, consequently, those who are in falsities from self-derived intelligence; and to "fall" and to be "devoured by the sword" denoting to perish.

This was also represented by "the king of Assyria being slain by his sons"; (Isaiah 37:38). His "sons" there signify his own falsities by which he perished. "His rock shall pass away for fear", signifies all the falsities, in general, in which such persons confide; and "his princes shall be terrified at the standard", signifies primary falsities.

It is said, "at the standard", because it is not by any combat with Truths that they are dissipated, but solely by the sign of combat, which is a "standard." Such also have been seen by mle cast down from the rocks [in the world of spirits], upon which they were, by the waving of a standard. Apocalypse Explained 411.

8. And the Assyrian shall fall by a sword, not of man; yea, a sword, not of man, shall devour him: and he shall betake himself to flight from the face of the sword; and his young men shall be tributary.

Verse 8. His young men shall be trributary.

- "Young men", in a good sense, denote those who are intelligent; thus intelligence, and thence Truth confirmed; but by the "young men of Assyria", in a bad sense, as in this verse, is signified false intelligence, confirmed by fallacious and negative reasonings, which, at the time of judgment, are made tributary, or entirely subjugated. See Arcana Coelestia 7668.

9. His rock shall pass away for fear; and his princes shall be terrified at the standard, says Jehovah, whose fire is in Zion, and whose furnace is in Jerusalem.

Verse 9. Thus says Jehovah, whose fire is in Zion, and whose furnace is in Jerusalem.

- Where by "fire" is signified the Good of Love; and by "furnace", Truth from that Good, thus the Truth of Doctrine. Similar things are also signified by "Zion" and "Jerusalem"; by "Zion" the church as to the Good of Love, and by "Jerusalem" the church as to the Truth of Doctrine. Apocalypse Explained 540.

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Isaiah Chapter 32

1. BEHOLD, a King shall reign in justice, and Princes shall rule in judgment.

2. And a man shall be as a hiding-place from the wind, as a covert from the inundation; as rivers of waters in a dry place; as the shadow of a great rock in a weary land:

3. And the eyes of those that see shall not be dim; and the ears of those that hear shall hearken.

4. And the heart of the rash shall understand knowledge; and the tongue of the stammerers shall be ready to speak elegant things.

5. The fool shall no longer be called liberal; and the covetous shall no more be called noble:

6. For the fool will speak folly; and his heart will work iniquity: to practise hypocrisy, and to speak error against Jehovah; to make empty the soul of the hungry, and to cause the drink of the thirsty to fail.

7. As for the covetous, his instruments are evil: he deviseth wicked devices to destroy the poor with lying words, even when the needy speaks judgment.

8. But the liberal deviseth liberal things; and by liberal things shall he be established.

9. O you women that are at ease, stand up, hear My voice! O you confident daughters, give ear unto My speeeh!

10. Year upon year shall you be disquieted, O you confident ones: for the vintage has failed, the gathering shall not come in.

11. Tremble, O you women that are at ease; be you troubled, O you confident ones! strip you, make yourselves bare; and gird [sackcloth] upon your loins.

12. They shall smite upon the breasts for the pleasant fields, for the fruitful vine.

13. Over the land of My people the thorn and the brier shall come up; yea, over all houses of joy, over the exulting city.

14. For the palace is deserted, the multitude of the city is forsaken; the cliff and the watch-tower shall be for dens for ever, a joy of wild asses, a pasture for flocks:

15. Till the spirit from on high be poured out upon us; and the wilderness, become a fruitful field; and the fruitful field be esteemed a forest.

16. And judgment shall dwell in the wilderness; and justice shall reside in the fruitful field.

17. And the work of justice shall be peace; and the labour of justice quietness and security for ever:

18. And My people shall dwell in a habitation of peace, and in tents of securities, and in quiet resting places.

19. But the hail shall fall, and the forest be brought down; and the city shall be laid utterly low.

20. Blessed are you who sow beside all waters, who send forth [thither] the foot of the ox and of the ass.

355. Verse 2. And I saw, and behold a white horse, signifies the understanding of truth from the Word. This is evident from the signification of "horse," as being the intellect; and from the signification of "white," which is predicated of truth. (That the "horse" signifies the intellect can be seen from what is quoted and shown in the small work on The White Horse; and that "white" is predicated of truth, see above, n. 196.) It is said that "a white horse" was seen when the Lamb opened the first seal, "a red horse" when He opened the second, "a black horse" when He opened the third, and "a pale horse" when He opened the fourth; and as "horse" signifies the intellect, particularly in relation to the Word, it can be seen thence that the understanding of truth from the Word, and its quality with the men of the church, are here described by "horses." It is the same whether you say that the understanding of truth is described, or those who are in it are described; for men, spirits, and angels are the subjects in which it resides. From this it can be known what is described in the internal or spiritual sense in this chapter and in those that follow next, namely, the Word in relation to the understanding. This is evident also from the ninth verse of this chapter, where, after these four horses had appeared, and the fifth seal had been opened, it is said, "I saw the souls of them that had been slain for the Word of God;" also from the nineteenth chapter of this book, where it is said that:

The name of Him that sat upon the white horse is called the Word of God (Revelation 19:13).

That "a horse" signifies the intellect, and "a white horse" the understanding of truth from the Word, can be seen shown in the small work cited above, on The White Horse; but as only a few passages were there quoted from the Word, in proof that "horse" signifies the intellect, I will here quote more, that there may be full confirmation; these now follow.

[2] In Ezekiel:

Gather yourselves from the circuit to My sacrifice that I do sacrifice for you. Ye shall be satisfied at My table with horse and with chariot, with the mighty man, and with every man of war. So will I give My glory among the nations (Ezekiel 39:17, 20-21).

This treats of the calling together of all to the Lord's kingdom, and especially of the establishment of the church with the Gentiles; for it describes the spiritual captivity in which the Gentiles were, and their liberation from it. "The sacrifice to be sacrificed" signifies all the worship by which the Lord is worshiped; "to be satiated at My table" signifies with all spiritual food; and as this food is the understanding of truth from the Word and from doctrine from the Word, it is said, "with horse and with chariot," "horse" signifying the understanding of truth from the Word, and "chariot" signifying the doctrine therefrom. It is also said, "with the mighty man, and with every man of war," "mighty man" signifying the truth from good that destroys evil, and "man of war" the truth from good that destroys falsity. Unless such things were signified, how could it be said that they should be satiated "with horse and with chariot, with the mighty man, and with every man of war?"

[3] Likewise in Revelation:

Gather yourselves together unto the supper of the great God; that ye may eat the flesh of kings, and the flesh of commanders of thousands, and the flesh of the strong ones, and the flesh of horses, and of them that sit on them (Revelation 19:17-18).

What precedes this treats of the Word and its spiritual sense; this now is an invitation to learn truths, and to perceive goods; and "the supper of the great God" signifies instruction in truths, and the consequent perception of good from the Lord; and "the flesh of kings," "of commanders of thousands," "of the strong ones," "of horses," and "of them that sit on them," signifies truths of every kind which are from good; "flesh" signifying good, "kings" Divine truths in general, "commanders of thousands" the same in particular, "strong ones" natural truths, "horses" intellectual truths, and "those that sit on them" spiritual truths. It must be clear to everyone that this does not mean the flesh of kings, of commanders of thousands, of strong ones, of horses, and of them that sit on them.

[4] In Habakkuk:

Was Jehovah displeased with the rivers? was Thine anger against the rivers? was Thy fury against the sea? because Thou ridest upon Thy horses, Thy chariots are salvation, Thou hast trodden down the sea with Thy horses, the mire [or clay] of many waters (Habakkuk 3:8, 15).

Who does not see that "horses" here do not mean horses? For it is said of Jehovah that "He rideth upon His horses," and that "He treadeth down the sea with His horses," and that "His chariots are salvation?" But this is said because "His riding upon horses" signifies that Jehovah, that is, the Lord, is in the understanding of His Word in its spiritual sense; and since the doctrine of truth, which teaches the way of salvation, is from the Word, it is added, "Thy chariots are salvation," "chariots" signifying doctrine; also "to tread down the sea with horses" signifies that Jehovah, that is, the Lord, is in the understanding of His Word in its natural sense; for "sea" here signifies that sense, and in general all things of the natural man and that are for the natural man; and because Divine truths there are in their ultimate, it is added, "the mire [or clay] of many waters," "mire" [or "clay"] signifying the ultimate from which and in which are truths, and "waters" signifying truths.

[5] In Zechariah:

I will cut off the chariot from Ephraim, and the horse from Jerusalem; and the bow of war shall be cut off; but He shall speak peace to the nations (Zechariah 9:10).

This treats of the Lord's coming, and of the establishment of the church among the Gentiles. That there would then be nothing of the church remaining with the Jews is described by, "I will cut off the chariot from Ephraim, and the horse from Jerusalem, and the bow of war shall be cut off," which signifies that there would no longer be any truth in doctrine nor any understanding of truth; and thence no combat and resistance against falsity; "Ephraim" signifies the church in relation to the understanding of truth, and "Jerusalem" the church in relation to the doctrine of truth, "the chariot" doctrine itself, and "the horse" the understanding itself, and "the bow of war" combat and resistance against falsity. The establishment of the church among the nations is signified by, "He shall speak peace to the nations," "nations" signifying all who are in the good of love to the Lord (See above, n. 331), "peace" signifying that good, and thence all things of the church. (That "Ephraim" signifies the church in relation to the understanding of truth, see Arcana Coelestia 3969, 5354, 6222, 6234, 6237, 6267, 6296; and that "Jerusalem" signifies the church in relation to doctrine, see in The Doctrine of the New Jerusalem 6, and above, n. 223.)

[6] In the same:

In that day I will smite every horse with astonishment, and the horseman with madness; and I will open mine eye upon the house of Judah, but every horse of the peoples will I smite with blindness (Zechariah 12:4).

This treats of the devastation of the former church, and the establishment of the new church. The devastation of the former church is described by "In that day I will smite every horse with astonishment, and the horseman with madness; and every horse of the peoples will I smite with blindness." It is plain that "horse" here signifies the understanding of truth with the men of the church, and "horseman" the affection of spiritual truth, from which is understanding; else why should it be said that "the horse should be smitten with astonishment, and the horse of the peoples with blindness?" "Astonishment" is predicated of the understanding when it has no perception of good, and "blindness" when it has no perception of truth; "the house of Judah" signifies the church with those who are in the good of love to the Lord, and thence in the doctrine of truth from the Word (See above, n. 119, 211); therefore it is said, "upon it I will open mine eye," which signifies to illustrate them that they may see truths.

[7] In the same:

In that day there shall be upon the bells of the horses, Holiness to Jehovah (Zechariah 14:20).

This also treats of the Lord's coming, and the invitation of all to the church; and "the bells of the horses" signify knowledges and cognitions [scientifica et cognitiones] and preachings therefrom which are from the understanding of truth; and as all understanding of truth is from the Lord, and thus the knowledges and preachings themselves, therefore it is said, "there shall be upon the bells of the horses, Holiness to Jehovah." Because "bells" have this signification:

There were bells of gold upon the skirts of Aaron's robe round about (Exodus 28:34-35).

[8] In Moses:

Dan shall be a serpent upon the way, an asp upon the path, biting the horse's heels, and its rider shall fall backwards: I wait for Thy salvation, O Jehovah (Genesis 49:17-18).

This is a prophecy of Israel the father, respecting the tribe of Dan, which tribe signifies the ultimates of the church, thus those who are in the ultimates of truth and good, who are called sensual; for there are in the church those who are spiritual and those who are natural, and the natural are interior, middle, and outmost; the outmost are the sensual, who do not elevate their thoughts above the sense of the letter of the Word. These are meant by "Dan;" of what quality they are is described in this prophecy, namely, that "Dan is a serpent upon the way, an asp upon the path, biting the horse's heels, and its rider shall fall backwards;" "serpent upon the way," and "asp upon the path" signify the sensual in relation to truth and good; "the horse's heels" signify the ultimates of the understanding of truth and good; and "the rider," reasoning from these; and because the sensual viewed in itself does not see truths, since it does not comprehend things spiritual, and therefore slides easily into falsities unless continually withheld from them by the Lord, it is said, "and its rider shall fall backwards: I wait for Thy salvation, O Jehovah." (That "Dan" signifies the ultimates of the church, see Arcana Coelestia 1710, 6396, 10335; that "serpent" signifies the sensual, which is the ultimate of the understanding, n. 6398, 6949, 8624 end, 10313, and above, n. 70; that "way" signifies truths, n. Arcana Coelestia 627, 2333, 10422, and above, n. 97 [1-2]; and that "the heel" signifies the ultimate natural, or the corporeal natural, n. 259, 4938, seq. What the sensual is, and what sensual men are in both senses, see in The Doctrine of the New Jerusalem 50.)

[9] In Zechariah:

I lifted up mine eyes, and saw, when behold, four chariots coming out from between two mountains; and the mountains were mountains of copper. To the first chariot were red horses; to the second chariot black horses; to the third chariot white horses; and to the fourth chariot grisled horses, stout. The angel said, These are the four winds of heaven, going forth from standing by the Lord of the whole earth. The black horses which are therein go forth to the land of the north; and the white went forth after them; and the grisled went forth into the land of the south; and the stout ones went forth and sought to go that they might wander through the earth. And he said, See these that go forth to the land of the north, they have caused my spirit to rest in the land of the north. And they that are afar shall come and shall build in the temple of Jehovah (Zechariah 6:1-8, 15).

This prophecy is not understood by anyone unless he knows what "chariots" and "horses" signify, and what "red," "black," "white," "grisled," and "stout" signify; also what "the land of the north" and "the land of the south" signify. It treats of the church that was to be propagated among those who as yet were not in any light of truth, because they had not the Word; "the north" means the obscurity of the truth they possessed; "the south" the clearness of truth; "horses" mean their understanding; "red," "black," "white," and "grisled" mean its quality in the beginning, and its quality afterwards; "red," the quality of their understanding in the beginning in relation to good; "black," the quality of their understanding in the beginning in relation to truth; "white," the quality of their understanding afterwards in relation to truth; "grisled," its quality finally in relation to truth and good; and "stout" means its quality in relation to its power to resist evils and falsities. From this it can now be seen what is signified by "the black horses went forth to the land of the north, and the white went forth after them," and "they have caused my spirit to rest in the land of the north," namely, that those who from good of life are in the affection of knowing the truths of the church receive and understand, nor are any others illustrated; that such are illustrated and receive is meant by "they have caused my spirit to rest in the land of the north;" "the grisled went forth into land of the south, and the stout to wander through the earth" signifies that those who from the good of life are in the affection of knowing the truths of the church come into the light, and that they resist evils and falsities, and constitute the church. These four kinds of horses, therefore, are called "the four winds of the heavens, going forth from standing by the Lord of the whole earth;" "winds" signifying all Divine truths, and "going forth from standing by the Lord of the whole earth" signifying that all truths proceed from Him. (That "winds" signify all Divine truths, see Arcana Coelestia 9642, and Heaven and Hell 141-153; and that "to go forth" signifies to proceed, Arcana Coelestia 5337, 7124, 9303.) "They that are afar, that shall build in the temple of Jehovah" signify those who were previously far away from the truths and goods of the church, who shall draw near to the church. (That such are signified by "those that are afar," see Arcana Coelestia 4723, 8918; and that the "temple of Jehovah" signifies the church, n. 3720; moreover, that "the north" signifies the obscurity of truth, and "the south" [auster sive meridies] the clearness of truth, thus also those that are in obscurity and in clearness of truth, see Heaven and Hell 148-151.) What is signified by "red" and by "black," in both senses, will be seen in the explanations at verses 4 and 5 of this chapter, and what by "white," see above n. 196. "The mountains of copper, from between which the chariots and horses went forth," signify the good of love in the natural man; this is said because the nations here treated of, before they were illustrated, were not in spiritual good but in natural good. (That "mountain" signifies the good of love, see Arcana Coelestia, n. 795, 4210, 6435, 8327, 8758, 10438; and "copper" natural good, see above, n. 70)

[10] In Job:

God hath made her forget wisdom, neither hath he imparted to her intelligence. What time she lifteth up herself on high she laugheth at the horse and its rider (Job 39:17-18).

These things are said of a "bird," which signifies intelligence from self [proprium], which in itself is no intelligence; for man from self [proprium] sees nothing but falsities and not truths, and intelligence is from truths, and not from falsities; therefore it is said of her, "God hath made her to forget wisdom, neither hath He imparted to her intelligence," and "when she lifteth up herself on high she laugheth at the horse and its rider," that is, at the understanding of truth, and at him who is intelligent.

[11] In David:

The stout of heart have become a spoil, they have slumbered their sleep. At Thy rebuke, O God of Jacob, both chariot and horse have fallen into a deep sleep (Psalms 76:5-6).

The "stout of heart" signify those who are in truths from good; "have become a spoil," and "have slumbered their sleep," signify their having fallen from evils into falsities; "the rebuke of the God of Jacob" signifies their state inverted by themselves; and "both chariot and horse have fallen into a deep sleep" signifies that their intellect was lulled to sleep, because it had become merely natural. That "to be awake" signifies to acquire for oneself spiritual life, and "to be asleep" to have natural life without spiritual, see above n. 187.

[12] In Ezekiel:

Javan, Tubal, and Meshech, they gave to thy traffic the soul of man and vessels of brass. They of Bethogarma gave for thy wares horses, horsemen, and mules (Ezekiel 27:13-14).

This treats of Tyre, which signifies the knowledges of truth and good pertaining to the external and the internal church. "Javan, Tubal, and Meshech," signify those who are in external worship; and "they of Bethogarma," those who are in internal worship; it is said therefore that these "gave for the wares of Tyre, horses, horsemen, and mules;" and "the others gave the soul of man and vessels of brass;" the "soul of man" signifies the truth of faith in respect to knowledge; "vessels of brass" signify the truths of natural good; and "horses, horsemen, and mules," signify the understanding of truth and good, "horses" the understanding of truth, "horsemen" intelligence, and "mules" the rational. (That "mule" signifies the rational, see Arcana Coelestia 2781, 5741, 9212.) Everyone can see that "the tradings of Tyre," which are enumerated in this chapter and elsewhere, do not mean tradings with these things, such as vessels of brass, horses, and mules, and many others; but that spiritual tradings are meant, which are effected by means of the knowledges of truth and good; for the Word is Divine, and treats of Divine things, and not of earthly things; therefore it contains spiritual things which pertain to heaven and the church, expressed in the ultimate sense, which is the sense of the letter, by natural things which correspond to them. (That "to trade" and "to be a merchant" signifies in the Word to acquire and to communicate the knowledges of truth and good, see Arcana Coelestia 2967[1-9], 4453; and that "to buy" and "to sell" signify something similar, n. 2967, 4397, 4453, 5371, 5374, 5406, 5410, 5426, 5886, 6143, 7999, 9039.)

[13] In Isaiah:

Who led them through the deeps, as a horse in the wilderness they stumbled not; as a beast goeth down into the valley the Spirit of Jehovah led him (Isaiah 63:13-14).

This chapter treats of the Lord, and His combat with the hells, and His subjugation of them, but here of the salvation of those who are in love and faith towards Him. These are compared to "a horse in the wilderness," and to "a beast in the valley," because "horse" signifies the understanding of truth, and "beast" the affection of good; for all comparisons in the Word are from correspondences.

[14] In Revelation:

I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and He that sat upon him was called the Word of God. And the armies that are in heaven followed Him upon white horses (Revelation 19:11-16).

"A white horse" evidently signifies the understanding of the Word, likewise "the white horses" upon which those sat who followed; for "He that sat upon" the white horse was the Lord in relation to the Word; for it is said, "and He that sat upon him was called the Word of God;" and in verse 19:16, "He had upon His vesture and upon His thigh a name written, Lord of lords and King of kings." The Lord is called the Word, because the Word means Divine truth proceeding from Him. (But these things in Revelation may be seen more fully explained in the small work on The White Horse 1, also why the Lord is called "the Word," n. 14 .) As "chariots" and "horses" signify doctrine from the Word and the understanding of it, and as all doctrine of truth and the understanding of it are out of heaven from the Lord, therefore it is said of Him that "He rides upon the Word," "upon the clouds," "upon heaven," "upon a cherub," also that "He makes to ride," as in the following passages. In David:

Gird thy sword upon the thigh, O mighty One, in Thy majesty, and in Thine honor mount, and ride upon the Word of truth and the meekness of righteousness (Psalms 45:3-4).

These things are said of the Lord. In the same:

Sing unto God, sing psalms to His name; extol Him that rideth upon the clouds (Psalms 68:4).

In Isaiah:

Behold, Jehovah rideth upon a cloud, and cometh into Egypt; and the idols of Egypt shall be moved before Him (Isaiah 19:1).

In David:

Sing psalms unto the Lord, to Him who rideth upon the heaven of the heaven of old (Psalms 68:32-33).

God rode upon a cherub, He did fly, and was borne upon the wings of the wind (Psalms 18:10).

In Habakkuk:

O Jehovah, Thou dost ride upon Thine horses, Thy chariots are salvation. Thou hast trodden the sea with Thy horses (Habakkuk 3:8, 3:15).

In Isaiah:

Then shalt thou delight in Jehovah; and I will make thee ride in the high places of the earth (Isaiah 58:14).

In Moses:

Jehovah alone did lead him, and made him ride upon the high places of the earth (Deuteronomy 32:12-13).

And in Hosea:

I will make Ephraim to ride (Hosea 10:11).

In these passages, "to ride" signifies to give intelligence and wisdom, because "chariot" signifies the doctrine of truth, and "horses" the understanding of it.

[15] In Isaiah:

Then shall they bring all your ¹ brethren out of all nations an offering unto Jehovah upon horses and upon the chariot, and upon covered wagons, upon mules, and upon swift beasts, to the mountain of My holiness, Jerusalem (Isaiah 66:20).

This treats of the establishment of a new church by the Lord; it is not meant therefore that they will bring their brethren upon horses, upon the chariot, upon covered wagons, upon mules, and upon swift beasts, to Jerusalem; but it is meant that all who are in good are to be instructed in Divine truths, and having been made intelligent and wise thereby are to be introduced into the church; for "brethren" signify all who are in good; "horses" signify the understanding of truth; "chariot" the doctrine of truth; "covered wagons" the knowledges of truth; "mules" the internal rational, which is spiritual; and "swift beasts" the external rational, which is natural; and "Jerusalem" signifies the church, in which is the doctrine of Divine truth, which is called "the mountain of holiness" from the love of truth. From the signification of "chariots" and "horses" it can be seen why:

Elijah and Elisha were called the chariots of Israel and the horsemen thereof, and the mountain was seen by the lad of Elisha to be full of horses and chariots of fire round about Elisha (2 Kings 2:11, 12; 6:17; 13:14);

namely, that both Elijah and Elisha represented the Lord in relation to the Word, and "chariots" signify doctrine from the Word, and "horsemen" intelligence. (That Elijah and Elisha represented the Lord in relation to the Word, see Arcana Coelestia 7643, 8029, 9372.)

[16] That "chariots" and "horses" signify doctrine and the understanding of it, can be seen, moreover, from their contrary sense, in which "chariots" and "horses" signify the doctrines of falsity, and false knowledges [scientifica] from a perverted intellect; for most things in the Word have a contrary sense, from which it can be seen what the same signify in the genuine sense. That "chariots" and "horses" in that sense have such a signification can be seen from the following passages. In Ezekiel:

Behold, I will bring against Tyre the king of Babylon from the north, with horse and with chariot, and with horsemen. He shall slay with the sword thy daughters in the field. By reason of the abundance of His horses their dust shall cover thee; by reason of the voice of the horseman and of the wheel and of the chariot, thy walls shall quake. With the hoofs of his horses shall he trample all thy streets; he shall slay the people with the sword (Ezekiel 26:7-8, 10-11).

"Tyre" signifies the church in relation to the knowledges of truth; and "the king of Babylon" the destruction of truth by falsities and profanation; "the north from which he was to come" signifies the source of all falsity, in particular, hell, out of which falsity arises; "chariot," "horses," and "horsemen" signify the doctrine of falsity and reasonings therefrom; "the daughters whom they shall slay in the field with the sword" signify the affections of truth which falsities will destroy, for "daughters" are the affections of truth, "the field is the church where those affections are, "the sword" is the combat of falsity against truth, and "to slay" is to extinguish. This makes clear the signification of "by reason of the abundance of his horses their dust shall cover thee," "dust" meaning the evil of falsity; the "walls that shall quake by reason of the voice of the horseman, of the wheel, and of the chariot," signify protecting truths, which in general are, that there is a God, and that the Word is Divine, and that there is eternal life. These "walls," or these truths, are said "to quake by reason of the voice of the horseman, of the wheel, and of the chariot," when they come to be doubted through the falsities of doctrines and reasonings from them; "the hoofs of the horses with which he shall trample all the streets," signify the outermost things of the natural man, which are called sensual impressions [sensualia], from which are all falsities; the "streets that shall be trampled by them" are the truths of the doctrine of the church, which are wholly destroyed; the "people who shall fall by the sword" signify all who are in truths, and in an abstract sense all truths.

[17] In Jeremiah:

O sword, against the liars, that they may become foolish; O sword, against the mighty, that they may be dismayed; O sword, against her horses and against her chariots; O sword, against her treasures, that they may be despoiled; let there be drought upon her waters that they may be dried up: because it is a land of graven images (Jeremiah 50:36-38).

"Sword" signifies the combat of truth against falsity, and of falsity against truth and consequent vastation; here it signifies vastation; "liars" and "mighty men" signify falsities and reasonings therefrom; the same is signified by "horses" and "chariots;" the "treasures that shall be despoiled" signify all things of doctrine; "the drought upon the waters, that they may be dried up," signifies the deprivation of truth, "drought" meaning deprivation, and "waters" truths; and as all falsities are from self-intelligence, it is said, "because it is a land of graven images," "land" here signifying heresy, and "graven images" what is from self-intelligence. (That such is the signification of "graven images," "molten images," and "idols," see Arcana Coelestia 8869, 8941, 10406, 10503)

[18] In the same:

Behold, he shall come up as clouds, and his chariots as the storm; his horses are swifter than eagles. Woe unto us! for we are devastated. Wash thine heart from evil, that thou mayest be saved. How long shall thoughts of iniquity lodge in the midst of thee? The whole land shall be a waste. The whole city fleeth for the voice of the horseman and the shooters of the bow; they have entered the thick clouds, and have gone up into the rocks; the whole city is forsaken (Jeremiah 4:13-Jeremiah 4:13-14, 27, 29).

This describes the vastation of the church by the falsities of evil; falsities are signified by "clouds;" and the lust of reasoning from falsities against truths by "the horses that are swifter than eagles;" and the doctrinals of falsity by "the chariots that are as the storm;" that consequently everything of the church and everything of its doctrine shall perish, is signified by "the whole land shall be a waste, and the whole city fleeth for the voice of the horseman and the shooters of the bow;" "land" means the church, and "city" its doctrine; "the voice of the horseman and the shooters of the bow" means reasoning from falsities and assault, and "to flee" means to perish. That then mere falsity and the faith of falsity would reign is signified by "they have entered the thick clouds, and have gone up into the rocks," "clouds" meaning falsities, and "rocks" the faith of falsities. The devastation of the church and of its doctrine is evidently here described, for it is said, "Woe unto us! for we are devastated. How long shall the thoughts of iniquity lodge in the midst of thee? The whole land shall be a waste. The whole city is forsaken. "

[19] In the same:

Behold, a people cometh from the land of the north, and a great nation shall be stirred up from the sides of the earth. Their voice roareth like the sea; and they ride upon horses (Jeremiah 6:22-23; 50:41-42).

Here, too, the devastation of the church by the falsities of evil is described; "the land of the north," and "the sides of the earth," are the source of these, "the land of the north" the source of falsities, and "the sides of the earth" the source of evils; for "the north" signifies what is remote from truths, and "the sides of the earth" what is remote from goods; therefore "nation" is predicated of the latter, and "people" of the former, "nation" meaning those who are in evils, and "people" those who are in falsities (See above, n. 331). Their reasoning is signified by "their voice roareth like the sea, and they ride upon horses."

[20] In Ezekiel:

Thou shalt come from thy place out of the sides of the north; thou and many peoples with thee, all of them riding upon horses. And thou shalt go up against My people Israel, as clouds to cover the land (Ezekiel 38:15-16).

These things are said of Gog, by whom external worship without any internal is signified; "the sides of the north" signify here, as above, what is remote from goods and truths, thus the source of the falsities of evil; and because they reason therefrom and attack the truths of the church and extinguish them it is said, "all of them riding upon horses; and thou shalt go up against My people Israel, as clouds to cover the land;" "to ride upon horses" meaning reasonings, "to go up against the people of Israel," and "to cover the land," signifying to attack the truths of the church and to extinguish them; "clouds" are the falsities of evil.

[21] In Daniel:

At the time of the end, the king of the south shall come into collision with the king of the north. So the king of the north shall rush upon him like a whirlwind, with chariot, and with horsemen, and with many ships; and he shall enter into the lands and shall overflow and pass through (Daniel 11:40).

This chapter treats of the combat of the king of the north with the king of the south; and "the king of the north" means falsity from evil, and "the king of the south" truth from good; so evidently the things mentioned in this chapter are not spoken of any future war between two kings, but of the combats of falsity from evil against truth from good. "The chariot and horsemen with which the king of the north shall rush upon him" are the assaults upon truth by the falsities of evil; the "many ships," with which also they shall rush upon him, are the knowledges [scientifica] and doctrinals of falsity; the destruction of the church thereby is signified by "he shall come into the lands and shall overflow and pass through." (That "ships" signify knowledges [scientifica] and doctrinals, in both senses, see Arcana Coelestia 1977, 6385; and that "to overflow" signifies immersion in falsities and evils, n. 660, 705, 739, 756, 790, 5725, 6853)

[22] In Jeremiah:

By thee will I scatter the nations, and by thee will I destroy kingdoms, and by thee will I scatter the horse and its rider, and by thee will I scatter the chariot and him that rideth in it (Jeremiah 51:20-21).

And in Haggai:

I will overturn the throne of kingdoms, and I will destroy the strength of the kingdoms of the nations; and I will overturn the chariot and those who ride in it; and the horses and their riders shall come down, a man by the sword of his brother (Haggai 2:22).

This is said of the destruction of falsity and evil, and not of the destruction of any nation or kingdom; for "nations" signify evils, and "kingdoms" (like "peoples") falsities. For this is prophetical, not historical. This makes clear what "horse" and "rider," and "chariot and him that rideth in it" signify, namely, that "horse and rider" signify a perverted intellect and reasoning therefrom and "the chariot and him that rideth in it" the doctrine of falsity or heresy, and those who are in it.

[23] In Nahum:

Woe to the city of bloods! the whole is filled with lying and rapine; the voice of the whip, and the voice of the rattling of the wheel, and the horse neighing and the chariot leaping, the horseman making to ascend, and the flame of the sword, and the flash of the spear, and a multitude of the slain, and a heap of carcasses, because of the multitude of the whoredoms of the harlot, selling nations by her whoredoms, and families by her sorceries (Nahum 3:1-4).

This treats of the violence offered to Divine truth, and its destruction by the falsities of evil; for this is signified by "the city of bloods," respecting which what follows is said (See above, n. 329); therefore it is also said, "the whole is filled with lying and rapine," "lie" meaning falsity, and "rapine" violence offered by falsity; and as "wars" signify spiritual combats, which are the combats of truth against falsity and of falsity against truth, all things pertaining to war, as "whip," "horse," "chariot," "sword," and "spear," signify various things pertaining to spiritual warfare; but what each of these in particular signifies need not be explained here, only what "horse," "horseman," and "chariot" signify. "The voice of the rattling of the wheel" signifies reasonings from falsities and evils; "the horse neighing and the chariot leaping" signifies the lust of destroying truths, "horse" meaning the intellect perverted, and "chariot" the doctrine of falsity, which destroy; "to neigh" and "to leap" meaning to be moved to destroy by lust and delight, and "horseman making to ascend" meaning assault. It is therefore said, "a multitude of the slain, and a heap of carcasses;" those are called "slain" who perish from falsities, and "carcasses" who perish from evils; therefore it is also said, "because of the multitude of the whoredoms of the harlot, selling the nations by her whoredoms, and families by her sorceries;" "whoredoms" signify the falsifications of truth, "harlot" heresy, "to sell nations" signifies to become estranged from goods, and "to sell families by sorcery" to become estranged from truths, "nations" meaning goods, "families" truths therefrom, and "sorceries" the falsities of evil which estrange.

[24] In Habakkuk:

I rouse up the Chaldeans, that bitter and hasty nation, that marcheth into the breadths of the land; her horses are lighter than leopards, and more fierce than the wolves of the evening, so that her horsemen spread themselves; yea, her horsemen shall come from far; they shall fly as an eagle that hasteth to eat. She shall come wholly for violence; she shall mock at kings, and rulers shall be a derision unto her (Habakkuk 1:6, 8-10).

"The Chaldeans" mean those who profane truths and thus vastate the church, therefore they are called "a bitter and hasty nation, that marcheth into the breadths of the land," "breadths of the land" meaning the truths of the church (See in the work on Heaven and Hell 197). Their lust for and dexterity in perverting truths and destroying them by reasonings from falsities altogether remote from truths are signified by, "her horses are lighter than leopards, and more fierce than the wolves of the evening, so that her horsemen spread themselves; yea, her horsemen shall come from far; they shall fly as an eagle that hasteth to eat." Lust is signified by "her horses are lighter than leopards," and dexterity by "her horses are more fierce than the wolves of the evening," and both by "they fly as an eagle." Because the lust and dexterity are for destroying truths therefore it is said, "she shall come wholly for violence;" their scoffing at truths and goods is signified by "she shall mock at kings, and rulers shall be a derision unto her," "kings" signifying truths, and "lords" and "rulers" goods.

[25] In David:

Some in the chariot, and some in horses; but we will glory in the name of our God (Psalms 20:7).

In the same:

A king is not saved by the multitude of an army; a horse is a lying thing for safety (Psalms 33:16-17).

In the same:

Jehovah delighteth not in the might of a horse; His pleasure is not in the thighs of a man (Psalms 147:10).

"To glory in the chariot and in horses," and "Jehovah delighteth not in the might of a horse," signify all things from self-intelligence, from which are nothing but falsities; and "the thighs of a man" signify those things that are from his own will, from which are nothing but evils.

[26] In Amos:

He that holdeth the bow shall not stand, nor shall the swift of foot escape, nor shall he that rideth upon the horse cause his soul to escape, but he that is stout of heart shall flee naked in that day (Amos 2:15-16).

This, too, describes self-intelligence and confidence arising from an ability to speak and reason from falsities. "He that holdeth the bow shall not stand," and "the swift of foot shall not cause himself to escape," signify that one who knows how to reason readily from the doctrine of falsity and from the knowledge [scientia] and memory of the natural man, shall not on that account be saved; the like is signified by "he that rideth upon the horse shall not cause his soul to escape;" "he that is stout of heart, who shall flee naked in that day," signifies that he who trusts in his falsities shall be without any truth, "stout of heart" meaning one who trusts in his falsities, and "naked" one who is without any understanding of truth (See above, n. 240).

[27] In Isaiah:

The Lord Jehovih, the Holy One of Israel, saith, In quietness and in confidence shall be your might; but ye would not, and said, No, but upon a horse we will flee; therefore ye shall flee; and we will ride upon the swift; therefore shall they that pursue you be made swift (Isaiah 30:15-16).

This treats of confidence in the Lord and of confidence in self; confidence in the Lord in these words, "the Lord Jehovih, the Holy One of Israel, said, In quietness and in confidence shall be your might;" and confidence in self in these words, "and ye said, No, but upon a horse we will flee," and "we will ride upon the swift;" "to flee upon a horse," and "to ride upon the swift," signifying to covet and love those things that are of one's own understanding, and thought and reasoning therefrom. That falsities will then break in and take possession is signified by, "therefore ye shall flee," and "therefore shall they that pursue you be made swift," "swiftness" and "haste" signifying what is done from lust, or from love.

[28] In Zechariah:

Jehovah shall set Judah as the horse of His majesty in war; out of him shall be the corner, out of him the nail, and out of him the bow of war. And they shall be as mighty men treading down the mire of the streets; and they shall fight because Jehovah is with them, and they shall make ashamed them that ride upon horses (Zechariah 10:3-5).

"The house of Judah" signifies the Lord's celestial kingdom, that is, the heaven and church that are in love to the Lord; of this it is said that it shall be "as the horse of majesty in war," which signifies the understanding of Divine truth combating against evils and falsities, which it will destroy, "horse" signifying the understanding, "majesty" Divine truth, and "war" combat against falsities and evils and their destruction. "The corner," "the nail," and "the bow of war," that are "out of Judah," signify truths, "the corner" truth protecting, "the nail" truth strengthening, and the "bow of war" truth combating from doctrine; "they shall be as mighty men treading down the mire of the streets" signifies the power to disperse and destroy falsities, "mire of the streets" signifying falsities. "They shall make ashamed them that ride upon horses" signifies the annihilation of the reasonings, argumentations, and confirmations that are from man's own understanding; that this shall be accomplished by the Lord and not by them is meant by, "they shall fight because Jehovah is with them."

[29] In Hosea:

Asshur will not save us; we will not ride upon the horse; we will say no more to the work of our hands, Thou art our God (Hosea 14:3).

This also treats of intelligence from self [ex proprio], that it will not save. "Asshur" signifies the rational, here as being from self [ex proprio]; "to ride upon the horse" signifies reasoning of the understanding from self [ex proprio]; and "work of the hands" signifies the selfhood [proprium] itself.

[30] In Ezekiel:

Oholah committed whoredom, and she doted on her lovers, on the Assyrians her neighbors, clothed in blue, horsemen riding upon horses (Ezekiel 23:5-6, 12, 23).

"Oholah," which here is Samaria, signifies a church in which truths are falsified; "her whoredoms," which are treated of in this chapter, signify falsifications; "the Assyrians" signify reasonings by which truths are falsified; and because "to ride upon horses" signifies to reason from falsities that are from self-intelligence, it is said, "she doted on the Assyrians, horsemen riding upon horses;" the "blue, in which they were clothed," signifies falsity appearing as truth, which appearance comes chiefly from applying the sense of the letter of the Word to principles of falsity.

[31] In Jeremiah:

The snorting of his horses was heard from Dan; at the sound of the neighings of his stout ones the whole land quaked; and they came and devoured the land and its fullness; [the city] and those that dwell therein (Jeremiah 8:16).

What is meant by "Dan" has been told above in this article, namely, truth in its ultimate; this is the truth in the church that is contained in the sense of the letter of the Word. Those who abide in this alone, and do not read the Word from the doctrine of genuine truth, which should guide and illustrate, may be carried away into all kinds of errors; those who are carried away into errors or falsities are meant here by "Dan;" the consequent confirmation of falsities is meant by "the snorting of his horses;" and the falsifications of truth are meant by "the sound of the neighings of his stout ones;" these are called "stout" from their confidence, because it is from the sense of the letter of the Word, that falsity is truth. That the church in respect to its truths and goods is thereby vastated, is signified by "the whole land quaked;" and "they came and devoured the land and its fullness, and those that dwell therein," "the land" meaning the church, "its fullness" truths, and "those that dwell therein" goods.

[32] In Isaiah:

He hath lifted up an ensign to the nations from far, and hath hissed to him from the end of the earth, and behold the swift one shall come in haste, whose arrows are sharp, and all his bows are bent; the hoofs of his horses are reckoned as rock, and his wheels as a storm (Isa. 5:26, 5:28).

This, too, treats of those who are in ultimates in regard to the understanding of truth and as to the perception of good. These ultimates are what are called sensual impressions [sensualia], which are the ultimates of the natural man (of which see in The Doctrine of the New Jerusalem 50); from these, when separated from the spiritual man, stream forth all the evils and falsities that are in the church and in its doctrine: evils from this source are signified by "the nations that shall come from far;" and falsities by "him that cometh from the end of the earth;" "far," and "the end of the earth" signifying those things that are remote from the truths and goods of the church. "The arrows that are sharp," and "the bows that are bent" signify the falsities of doctrine prepared to destroy truths, and "the hoofs of the horses that are reckoned as rock," and "his wheels that are as a storm" signify the ultimates of truth, like those in the sense of the letter of the Word, and arguments and confirmations of falsity by means of these; "the hoofs of the horses" mean the ultimates of the understanding, here of the perverted understanding, because separated from the understanding of the spiritual man; and because these ultimates are from the sense of the letter of the Word, it is said, "are reckoned as rock;" while "wheels" mean argumentations and confirmations by means of these, and because these appear strong they are said to be "as a storm."

[33] In the book of Judges:

My heart is toward the lawgivers of Israel. Ye that ride on white asses, and sit on middin, and that walk by the way, meditate. The stars from their courses fought with Sisera. Then were the hoofs of the horses bruised; the prancing of his stout ones struck together (Judges 5:9-10, 20, 22).

These words are contained in the song of Deborah and Barak, which treats of the combat of truth against falsity and its victory; "the lawgivers of Israel" signify the truths of the church; "to ride on white asses" and "to sit on middin" signify the perception of good and the understanding of truth, "white asses" signifying the rational in respect to good, and "middin" the rational in respect to truth; and "to walk by the way and to meditate" signify a life of truth; "the stars from their courses fought with Sisera" signifies the knowledges of truth, and combat from them against falsities of evil; "the feet of the horses that were bruised," and "the prancing of the horses that struck together" signify the falsities that are from the outmost natural, or the sensual [sensuali], and arguments therefrom that they were destroyed.

[34] In Amos:

Shall horses run upon the rock? shall one plough with oxen? for ye have turned judgment into gall, and the fruit of justice into wormwood (Amos 6:12).

"Shall horses run upon the rock?" signifies, is there any understanding of truth? "Shall anyone plough with oxen?" signifies, is there any perception of good? This is plainly the meaning, for it follows, "for ye have turned judgment into gall, and the fruit of justice into wormwood;" "to turn judgment into gall," signifies to turn truth into falsity, and "to turn the fruit of justice into wormwood," signifies to turn good into evil.

[35] In David:

Thou hast laid oppression upon our loins. Thou hast caused a man to ride over our head; We entered into the fire and the waters: but Thou hast brought us out into a broad place (Psalms 66:11-12).

This is a description of spiritual captivity and deliverance therefrom. There is spiritual captivity when the mind is so shut up as not to perceive good nor understand truth; there is deliverance from it when the mind is opened; "the oppression upon the loins" signifies that there is no perception of good of love, for "loins" and "thighs" signify the good of love; "to cause a man to ride over our head" signifies that there is no understanding of truth; "man" here signifying intelligence from self [ex proprio], which is no intelligence; and "head" the like. Because this is the signification therefore it is said, "we entered into the fire and the waters," "into the fire" meaning into the evils that are from the love of self, and "into the waters" meaning into falsities; deliverance therefrom is meant by "but Thou hast brought us out into a broad place," "broad place" signifying truth (as above).

[36] In Isaiah:

Woe to them that go down into Egypt for help, and stay on horses, and trust in the chariot, but they look not unto the Holy One of Israel, neither seek Jehovah. For Egypt is man and not God, and its horses flesh and not spirit (Isaiah 31:1, 3).

"Egypt" in the Word signifies the knowing [faculty] [scientificum] which is in the natural man, and thence also the natural man; and because the natural man, with the knowing [faculty] that is in it, has no understanding, but only thought from the memory, which is a kind of imagination from objects of sight and hearing; and because this is beneath the spiritual, in which nevertheless all the goods and truths of heaven and the church reside, therefore "Egypt" signifies in most passages a falsified knowing [faculty] [scientificum falsum]; for when the spiritual man does not flow in, knowledges in the natural man are turned into mere falsities, and its thoughts into confirmations of falsity and into reasonings from them against truths. From this it can be seen what is signified by "horses of Egypt and its chariots," namely, that "the horses" signify false knowledges, and "chariots" doctrinals from which there are reasonings against truth. Such, therefore, seek truths from no other source than themselves, for each one's own [proprium] has its seat in the natural man, and what is not his own has its seat in the spiritual; such persons therefore seize upon falsities instead of truths, and upon evils instead of goods, calling evils goods and falsities truths, and trusting in themselves, because they trust in what is their own. These things are signified by "Woe to them that go down into Egypt, and stay on horses, and trust in chariots because they are many, and in horsemen because they are very strong;" "horses" here mean false knowledges; and "chariots" doctrinals therefrom; and "horsemen" reasonings from them against truths; therefore it is also said, "Egypt is man and not God, and his horses flesh and not spirit" signifying that what is in them is merely natural and not spiritual, consequently that there is not in them anything of life; "man" signifying the natural man, and "flesh" what is its own; "God" and "spirit" signifying the Divine spiritual man, and life therefrom; and since they trust in themselves and not in the Lord, it is said, "they look not unto the Holy One of Israel, neither seek Jehovah."

[37] From this it can now be seen what is signified by the horses, the chariots, and the armies of Pharaoh, in Moses:

I will be rendered glorious in Pharaoh and in his army and in his horsemen. And the Egyptians pursued the sons of Israel, and Pharaoh's horses went after them, his chariots and his horsemen, into the midst of the sea. And Jehovah took off the wheel of their chariots, so that they drove them with difficulty. And when Moses stretched forth his hand over the sea, the waters returned, and covered the chariots and the horsemen, together with the whole army of Pharaoh (Exodus 14:17-18, 23, 25, 27-28).

And in the same:

Moses and the children of Israel sang this song unto Jehovah. In singing I will sing unto Jehovah, for in exalting He hath exalted Himself; the horse and his rider hath he thrown into the sea, and his chariots and his army (Exodus 15:1, 4, 19, 21).

What the horses and chariots of Pharaoh or Egypt signify has been shown above; his "army" signifies all falsities, in general and in particular; and "sea" signifies damnation and hell, where all are in their own [proprium], because they are in the natural man separated from the spiritual, and thence in all kinds of evils and falsities. The like is signified by "the horses of Egypt," in these words in Moses:

If thou shalt say, ² I will set over me a king, in setting thou shalt set ³ over thee a king whom Jehovah thy God shall choose; only he shall not multiply to himself horses, nor shall he bring back the people into Egypt, that he may multiply horses (Deuteronomy 17:14-16).

These things are said of the king, because the Lord in relation to Divine truth is represented by kings, and thence "kings" signify truths from good from the Lord (See above, n. 31). And as truths from good have their seat in the spiritual man, as was said above, and the knowledges [scientifica] that belong to the natural man serve the spiritual man as servants do their lord, it is said, "only he shall not multiply to himself horses, nor shall he bring back the people into Egypt, that he may multiply horses;" which signifies, only let no one from being a spiritual man become natural, and lead himself, and trust in what is his own [proprium] instead of in the Lord, that is, let not the truths of the spiritual man serve the natural, instead of the knowledges [scientifica] of the natural man serving the spiritual; for this latter is according to order, but the former contrary to order. "Horses" of Egypt have a like signification elsewhere in the Word (as Jeremiah 46:4, 9; Ezekiel 17:15; 23:20).

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