8328. The place for Thee to dwell in. That this signifies where the Lord is, is evident from the signification of “place,” as being state (of which just above, n. 8325), here a state of good from the Divine, because heaven is meant; and from the signification of “the habitation of Jehovah,” or “the place for Thee to dwell in,” as being where the Lord is. (That “to dwell” is predicated of good, see n. 2712, 3613; and that “the habitation of Jehovah” denotes good, and consequently heaven, n. 8269, 8309 that the Lord is “Jehovah” in the Word, see above, n. 8261.) Frequent mention is made of the Father who is in the heavens, and there is then meant the Divine in heaven, thus the Good from which is heaven. Regarded in Itself the Divine is above the heavens; but the Divine in the heavens is the Good that is in the Truth that proceeds from the Divine. This is meant by “the Father in the heavens,” as in Matthew:

That ye may be sons of the Father who is in the heavens: that ye may be perfect, as your Father who is in the heavens is perfect

(Matthew 5:45) (Matthew 5:48) (Matthew 6:1)

Our Father who art in the heavens, hallowed be Thy name (6:9).

He that doeth the will of the Father who is in the heavens (7:21).

(And also 10:32-33; 16:17; 18:10, 14, 19.)

The Divine that is in the heavens is the Good which is in the Divine Truth that proceeds from the Lord; but the Divine above the heavens is the Divine Good Itself. By “a place for Thee to dwell in” is signified heaven where is the Divine truth that proceeds from the Lord, for this makes heaven. How the case is with the Divine truth that proceeds from the Lord, that it is in heaven good, may be illustrated by comparison with the sun, and with the light that is from the sun. In the sun is fire, but from the sun proceeds light, which light has within itself heat, from which gardens sprout forth, and become like paradises. The very fire of the sun does not pass to the earth (for it would burn up and consume all things), but the light wherein is heat from the fire of the sun. In the spiritual sense this light is the Divine Truth; the heat is the good in the Truth from the Divine Good; and the resultant paradise is heaven.

2712. He dwelt in the wilderness of Paran. That this signifies the life of the spiritual man as to good, is evident from the signification of “dwelling,” as being predicated of the good of truth, or of spiritual good, that is, of the good of the spiritual man. What its quality is, is described by his “dwelling in the wilderness of Paran” which is to be treated of presently. That “to dwell” is predicated of the good, that is, of the affection, of truth, is evident from many passages in the Word where cities are treated of, by which truths are signified, and as being without an inhabitant, by whom good is signified (n. 2268, 2450, 2451); for truths are inhabited by good; and truths without good are like a city in which there is no one dwelling. So in Zephaniah:

I have made their streets waste, that none passeth by; their cities are desolated, so that there is no inhabitant (Zeph. 3:6).

[2] In Jeremiah:

Jehovah led us through the wilderness, where no man passed through, and where no man dwelt; they had made his land a waste, his cities are burned up, so that there is no inhabitant (Jeremiah 2:6, 15).

In the same:

Every city is forsaken, and no one dwelleth therein (Jeremiah 4:29).

In the same:

In the streets of Jerusalem that are desolate, without man, and without inhabitant, and without beast (Jeremiah 33:10);

“streets” denote truths (n. 2336); “without man” denotes no celestial good; “without inhabitant,” no spiritual good; and “without beast,” no natural good. In the same:

The cities of Moab shall become a desolation, without any to dwell therein (Jeremiah 48:9).

[3] In the Prophets in every expression there is the marriage of truth and good; and therefore where a city is said to be desolate, it is also added that there is no inhabitant in it; for the reason that the city signifies truths, and the inhabitant good; otherwise it would be superfluous to say that there was no inhabitant, when it has been said that the city was desolate. So likewise the expressions are constant that signify the things of celestial good, those of spiritual good, and those of truth; as in Isaiah:

Thy seed shall possess the nations, and they shall dwell in the desolate cities (Isaiah 54:3); where to “possess” is predicated of celestial goods; and to “dwell in,” of spiritual good. In the same:

Mine elect shall possess it, and my servants shall dwell there (Isaiah 65:9); where the signification is the same.

[4] In David:

God will save Zion, and will build the cities of Judah and they shall dwell there, and shall possess it; the seed also of His servants shall inherit it, and they that love His name shall dwell therein (Psalms 69:35-36);

“dwelling” and at the same time “possessing,” is predicated of celestial good; but “dwelling,” of spiritual good.

In Isaiah:

Saying to Jerusalem, Thou shalt be inhabited, and to the cities of Judah, ye shall be built (Isaiah 44:26); where “dwelling,” or “inhabiting,” is predicated of the good of the spiritual church, which is “Jerusalem.” To such a degree are the expressions in the Word predicated of their own goods and their own truths, that merely from a knowledge of the predication of these expressions it can be known what subject in general is treated of.