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Genesis 41:23
Apocalypse Explained # 548
548. But that they should torment them five months.- That this signifies that the understanding should be darkened by the falsities of evil, and be drawn away from seeing truth, so long as they are in that state, is evident from the signification of tormenting, which denotes to darken as to the understanding, and to be withdrawn from seeing truth, of which we shall treat presently; and from the signification of five months, as denoting so long as they remain in that state. To torment here signifies to darken as to the understanding, and to be drawn away from seeing truth, because it is stated of the locusts, and their power of hurting like scorpions, and by the locusts is meant the ultimate of the life of man, which is called the Sensual, and by the power of hurting like scorpions is signified the persuasive [power], which is of such a nature, as to take away from the understanding the light of truth, and bring on infernal darkness; therefore it now follows, that their torment was as the torment of a scorpion when he strikes a man, for the scorpion signifies such a persuasive [power], as may be seen above (n. 544). This is said to torment, because it is said above, that the locusts should hurt men, but should not kill them; and he who hurts, and does not kill, torments. The persuasive [power] also in the sensual man, that is in the falsities of evil, hurts the understanding by darkening and drawing it away from seeing truth, although it does not deprive it of the power of understanding and perceiving; and because it is compared with the pain inflicted by a scorpion when it strikes a man, it is said to torment.
[2] The reason why five months signify so long as men are in that state, is, that a month signifies a state, and the number five signifies somewhat, and hence also, so long as. Months signify states, because all times, in the Word, as ages, years, weeks, days, and hours, signify states of life; hence also months, see the Heaven and Hell 162-169).
That five signifies somewhat, is evident from those passages in the Word, where that number occurs. For the numbers 10, 100, 1000, signify much and all, hence five signifies somewhat. For those numbers which signify much, arise from the number five, which signifies somewhat, and the numbers that are compounded and derived, take their signification from the simple numbers, from which, by multiplication, they are compounded and derived, see above (n. 429, 430:2). The number five also signifies so long as, because it is said, five months, and by five months is there signified a state of duration. This signification of five months appears to be a remote one, from this fact, that man so long as he lives in the world, is in natural thought, and natural thought derives its ideas from spaces and times, and also from numbers and measures; for these things are proper to nature, because all things in nature are determined by them. But spiritual thought is without any fixed idea of space, time, number, and measure; and therefore it appears far fetched and strange to man in the world, that five months should signify "so long as that state continues," that is to say, so long as the state of the persuasion of falsity continues, for so long is the understanding darkened, and drawn away from seeing the truth; but when the persuasion of falsity is removed, man comes into the faculty of seeing truth, if he desire to see it, and this faculty is given to every man.
[3] That five, in the Word, signifies somewhat and some, also all of such a quality, and similar things, is clear from the following: Jesus said that the kingdom of the heavens is like to ten virgins of whom "five were wise, and five were foolish" (Matthew 25:1, 2). The Lord compared the kingdom of the heavens to ten virgins, because the kingdom of the heavens signifies the church, and a virgin has a similar signification; and ten virgins signify all who are of the church. It is said, that five were wise and five foolish, because five signifies some of them, or all who are of such a quality on one part. That a virgin signifies the church, is evident from many passages in the Word, where mention is made of the virgin of Zion, the virgin of Jerusalem, the virgin of Israel, for these signify the church.
[4] The same is signified by ten, and by five, in the parable of the Lord concerning the nobleman who gave talents (minoe, mna [Greek]) to his servants to trade with, and one made of his talent ten talents, and another made five talents of his talents, and therefore they had authority over as many cities (Luke 19:13-20). The numbers ten and five were mentioned by the Lord, because ten signifies much, and five, somewhat; but by their trading is signified the acquisition and procuring of heavenly intelligence; and by their having authority over cities, is signified intelligence and wisdom, for a city signifies in the Word, doctrine, and to have authority over it, signifies to be intelligent and wise, and over ten cities, signifies much, and over five, signifies some.
[5] Also some, and all who are of such quality, are signified by the number five in the parable of the Lord concerning the rich man and Lazarus, in which it is said that the rich man told Abraham that he had five brethren, and he besought that Lazarus might be sent to them (Luke 16:27, 28). The rich man said that he had five brethren because by five are signified all who are of such a quality.
Similarly, in the parable of the Lord concerning those who were invited to the great supper, one of them excused himself on the ground that he had bought five yoke of oxen, and must go to prove them (Luke 14:19). By oxen in the Word are signified the natural affections, and by five yoke of oxen are signified all those affections or disorderly desires that lead away from heaven; heaven and the church, in regard to spiritual nourishment or instruction, are signified by the great supper to which they were invited. Who cannot see that the number five in these four parables involves some interior truth, since it is used by the Lord?
[6] So again, in Isaiah:
"In that day there shall be five cities in the land of Egypt speaking with the lips of Canaan, and swearing to Jehovah of hosts. In that day shall there be an altar to Jehovah in the midst of the land of Egypt" (19:18, 19).
In that day, signifies the coming of the Lord; "five cities in the land of Egypt speaking with the lips of Canaan," signifies, that some who are then natural shall become spiritual, and shall acknowledge the truths of genuine doctrine, and shall worship the Lord from the good of charity. These things are explained in detail above (n. 223:14). Here, therefore, mention is made of five cities, as some at that time are meant, and also some truths of doctrine.
[7] So again:
"Gleaning grapes shall be left in it, as the shaking of an olive tree, two-three berries in the top of the bough, four-five in the branches of the fruitful tree" (17:6).
And Jesus said in Luke:
"From henceforth there shall be five in one house divided, three against two, and two against three" (12:52).
That in these passages five also signifies some, and all who are of such a quality, may be seen above (n. 532), where both these passages are explained.
A law was given to the Israelites that he who stole, or slew, or sold an ox, should restore five oxen (Exodus 22:1). Here an ox, in the spiritual sense, means the good of the natural man; by restoring five oxen for an ox, is signified that he shall sufficiently amend what he had perverted and extinguished. To steal means to take away, to kill is to extinguish, and to sell is to pervert.
[8] By the fifth part also is signified as much as is sufficient in the following passages: Leviticus 5:16; 6:5; 22:14; 27:13, 15, 19, 27, 31; Num. 5:6-8. The same is also signified by the fifths which Pharaoh took up from the land of Egypt during the seven years of plenty (Genesis 41:34; 47:24). Again, the same is signified by Abner's smiting Asahel with the hinder end of his spear at the fifth [rib] (2 Sam. 2:23); at the fifth rib signifies as much as was sufficient for death; for the same number that signifies somewhat, and the all of one part, also signifies as much as is sufficient, when it is used of quantity, and so long as, when it is used of time.
[9] Since this number signifies some, and the all of one part, therefore it also signifies little and few, when a great quantity, which is also marked by numbers, follows or precedes; for then the all of one part is respectively few.
Thus in Isaiah:
"One thousand at the rebuke of one; at the rebuke of five shall ye flee" (30:17).
And in Moses it is said among the curses that five should chase a hundred, and a hundred, ten thousand (Leviticus 26:8). And in the Evangelists it is stated that the Lord fed five thousand men with five loaves and two fishes (Matthew 14:15-22; Mark 6:38-43; Luke 9:13-16; John 6:9-13). The taking up of twelve baskets of the fragments on that occasion signifies fulness, thus fulness of instruction, and also full benediction.
[10] In Luke by five are signified few, where it is said,
"Are not five sparrows sold for two farthings, and not one of them is forgotten before God? Fear not therefore; ye are of more value than many sparrows" (12:6, 7).
Here five sparrows are mentioned, because five denotes what is few and of little value compared to men, for it is afterwards said, "ye are of more value than many sparrows." Any one can see that this number would not have been mentioned so often by the Lord unless it had been significative. Since five signifies all of one part, therefore it was also commanded that over the tabernacle they should make ten curtains, five curtains to be coupled together one to another, and five curtains to be coupled one to another (Exodus 26:1, 3). That ten signifies all in the aggregate, and five the all of one and of the other part, may be seen in the Arcana Coelestia 9595, 9604).
Mark 6
1
He went out from there. He came into his own country, and his disciples followed him.
2
When the Sabbath had come, he began to teach in the synagogue, and many hearing him were astonished, saying, "Where did this man get these things?" and, "What is the wisdom that is given to this man, that such mighty works come about by his hands?
3
Isn't this the carpenter, the son of Mary, and brother of James, Joses, Judah, and Simon? Aren't his sisters here with us?" They were offended at him.
4
Jesus said to them, "A prophet is not without honor, except in his own country, and among his own relatives, and in his own house."
5
He could do no mighty work there, except that he laid his hands on a few sick people, and healed them.
6
He marveled because of their unbelief. He went around the villages teaching.
7
He called to himself the twelve, and began to send them out two by two; and he gave them authority over the unclean spirits.
8
He commanded them that they should take nothing for their journey, except a staff only: no bread, no wallet, no money in their purse,
9
but to wear sandals, and not put on two tunics.
10
He said to them, "Wherever you enter into a house, stay there until you depart from there.
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Whoever will not receive you nor hear you, as you depart from there, shake off the dust that is under your feet for a testimony against them. Assuredly, I tell you, it will be more tolerable for Sodom and Gomorrah in the day of judgment than for that city!"
12
They went out and preached that people should repent.
13
They cast out many demons, and anointed many with oil who were sick, and healed them.
14
King Herod heard this, for his name had become known, and he said, "John the Baptizer has risen from the dead, and therefore these powers are at work in him."
15
But others said, "He is Elijah." Others said, "He is a prophet, or like one of the prophets."
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But Herod, when he heard this, said, "This is John, whom I beheaded. He has risen from the dead."
17
For Herod himself had sent out and arrested John, and bound him in prison for the sake of Herodias, his brother Philip's wife, for he had married her.
18
For John said to Herod, "It is not lawful for you to have your brother's wife."
19
Herodias set herself against him, and desired to kill him, but she couldn't,
20
for Herod feared John, knowing that he was a righteous and holy man, and kept him safe. When he heard him, he did many things, and he heard him gladly.
21
Then a convenient day came, that Herod on his birthday made a supper for his nobles, the high officers, and the chief men of Galilee.
22
When the daughter of Herodias herself came in and danced, she pleased Herod and those sitting with him. The king said to the young lady, "Ask me whatever you want, and I will give it to you."
23
He swore to her, "Whatever you shall ask of me, I will give you, up to half of my kingdom."
24
She went out, and said to her mother, "What shall I ask?" She said, "The head of John the Baptizer."
25
She came in immediately with haste to the king, and asked, "I want you to give me right now the head of John the Baptizer on a platter."
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The king was exceedingly sorry, but for the sake of his oaths, and of his dinner guests, he didn't wish to refuse her.
27
Immediately the king sent out a soldier of his guard, and commanded to bring John's head, and he went and beheaded him in the prison,
28
and brought his head on a platter, and gave it to the young lady; and the young lady gave it to her mother.
29
When his disciples heard this, they came and took up his corpse, and laid it in a tomb.
30
The apostles gathered themselves together to Jesus, and they told him all things, whatever they had done, and whatever they had taught.
31
He said to them, "You come apart into a deserted place, and rest awhile." For there were many coming and going, and they had no leisure so much as to eat.
32
They went away in the boat to a deserted place by themselves.
33
They saw them going, and many recognized him and ran there on foot from all the cities. They arrived before them and came together to him.
34
Jesus came out, saw a great multitude, and he had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd, and he began to teach them many things.
35
When it was late in the day, his disciples came to him, and said, "This place is deserted, and it is late in the day.
36
Send them away, that they may go into the surrounding country and villages, and buy themselves bread, for they have nothing to eat."
37
But he answered them, "You give them something to eat." They asked him, "Shall we go and buy two hundred denarii worth of bread, and give them something to eat?"
38
He said to them, "How many loaves do you have? Go see." When they knew, they said, "Five, and two fish."
39
He commanded them that everyone should sit down in groups on the green grass.
40
They sat down in ranks, by hundreds and by fifties.
41
He took the five loaves and the two fish, and looking up to heaven, he blessed and broke the loaves, and he gave to his disciples to set before them, and he divided the two fish among them all.
42
They all ate, and were filled.
43
They took up twelve baskets full of broken pieces and also of the fish.
44
Those who ate the loaves were five thousand men.
45
Immediately he made his disciples get into the boat, and to go ahead to the other side, to Bethsaida, while he himself sent the multitude away.
46
After he had taken leave of them, he went up the mountain to pray.
47
When evening had come, the boat was in the midst of the sea, and he was alone on the land.
48
Seeing them distressed in rowing, for the wind was contrary to them, about the fourth watch of the night he came to them, walking on the sea, and he would have passed by them,
49
but they, when they saw him walking on the sea, supposed that it was a ghost, and cried out;
50
for they all saw him, and were troubled. But he immediately spoke with them, and said to them, "Cheer up! It is I! Don't be afraid."
51
He got into the boat with them; and the wind ceased, and they were very amazed among themselves, and marveled;
52
for they hadn't understood about the loaves, but their hearts were hardened.
53
When they had crossed over, they came to land at Gennesaret, and moored to the shore.
54
When they had come out of the boat, immediately the people recognized him,
55
and ran around that whole region, and began to bring those who were sick, on their mats, to where they heard he was.
56
Wherever he entered, into villages, or into cities, or into the country, they laid the sick in the marketplaces, and begged him that they might touch just the fringe of his garment; and as many as touched him were made well.
