10335. And I, behold I have given with him Aholiab, the son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan. That this signifies those who are in the good and truth of faith, with whom the church is to be established, is evident from the representation of Aholiab, as being those who are in the good and truth of faith. That these are represented by Aholiab is because he was of the tribe of Dan, and by this tribe are signified those who are in the good and truth of faith (see n. 3923, 6396). The reason why these two, Bezalel of the tribe of Judah, and Aholiab of the tribe of Dan, were chosen to do the works by which were to be represented Divine celestial and spiritual things, was that by “Bezalel” are meant all who are in the good of love, and by “Aholiab” all who are in the good and truth of faith; thus by “Bezalel” are meant those who are in the inmost things, and by “Aholiab” those who are in the outermost things, of heaven and the church; and when the inmost and the outermost are mentioned, all are understood who are in the universal heaven and in the universal church (as may be seen above, n. 10329; and that when “first and last” are mentioned, all things are understood, n. 10044).

[2] Moreover, the tribe of Judah was actually the first of the tribes, and the tribe of Dan was the last of them. That the tribe of Judah was actually the first of the tribes is evident from the blessing of his sons by their father Israel, see Genesis 49, where Reuben, Simeon, and Levi, who were the firstborn, are cursed, and Judah is blessed. (See concerning Reuben, verses 3 and 4 that chapter; concerning Simeon and Levi, verses 5-7; and concerning Judah, verses 8-12.) (That Dan is the last of the tribes, see at n. 1710, 3929, 6396.) Moreover, in the inmost heaven are those who are in the good of love to the Lord, and in the outermost heaven are those who are in the truth of faith from good.

[3] It is said “in the truth of faith from good,” because the truth of faith is not the truth of faith with anyone unless it is from good, for truth is born from good; and therefore unless good is in truth, there is no soul in it, thus no life. Those who are in truths of faith from good are in the ultimates of heaven, but not those who are in truths of faith without good: these are not in heaven. As the truth of faith ministers to the good of love as what is last to what is first, therefore it is said of Aholiab that “Jehovah hath given him with Bezalel,” that is, to serve him; and it is said of Bezalel that “Jehovah hath filled him with the spirit of God in wisdom, and in intelligence, and in knowledge, and in all work” (verse 3).

10329. See, I have called by name Bezalel, the son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah. That this signifies those who are in the good of love and with whom the church was about to be set up, is evident from the signification of “calling by name,” as being to choose such, namely, as are suitable (of which below); and from the representation of Bezalel, as being those who are in the good of love. That these are here represented by Bezalel, is because he was of the tribe of Judah, and by this tribe are signified those who are in celestial good, which is the good of love to the Lord; and in a sense abstracted from persons, the good of celestial love. (That this is signified by “Judah” and his tribe, see n. 3654, 3881, 6363, 6364, 8770.) But what is represented by Uri the father of Bezalel, and by Hur his grandfather, is evident from the generation of celestial good. This is generated from the doctrine of celestial truth and good, and therefore by these persons are signified these doctrines. (That by Hur is represented the doctrine of truth, see n. 9424)

[2] They who keep the mind only in the sense of the letter of the Word, which is done in the historic parts more intently than in the prophetic, may wonder that it is said that such things are signified by the names of these men. But those will not wonder who are acquainted with the nature of the Word, for there is what is spiritual in each and all things. In the very names of the persons and places in the Word there is nothing spiritual unless they signify real things of the church and of heaven, for these things are spiritual, and therefore it follows that even by these names spiritual things are signified. (That the names in the Word signify real things, see n. 1224, 1264, 1888, 4442, 5095, 5225, 6516; and that these names do not enter heaven, but the things which are signified, n. 1876, 10216, 10282)

[3] That “to call by name” denotes to choose such as are suitable, is because by a name apart from the person is signified the quality, as can be seen from the passages in the Word where “name” is mentioned. (That by “name” is signified quality, see n. 144, 145, 1754, 1896, 2009, 2724, 3004-3011, 3421, 6674, 6887, 8274, 8882, 9310; and likewise by “calling,” without a name, n. 3421, 3659; and that “to call by name” denotes to choose, n. 8773)

[4] Two men are here named who were called by Jehovah to do the works commanded to Moses on Mount Sinai, namely, Bezalel of the tribe of Judah, and Aholiab of the tribe of Dan. By “Bezalel” are signified those who are in the good of celestial love, and by “Aholiab” those who are in the good and truth of faith. Those who are in the good of celestial love are in the inmost of heaven and of the church; and those who are in the good and truth of faith are in the outermost thereof. Thus by these two are signified all in the complex with whom the church can be set up; for by the first and the last, or by the inmost and the outermost, are signified all persons or all things. For in what now follows the subject treated of is the setting up of the church, and therefore these two are named, by whom are signified all with whom the church can be set up. (That by “the first and the last” are signified all persons and all things, n. 10044; and that by “Aholiab of the tribe of Dan” are signified those who are in the good of faith, will be seen in what follows.) From all this it is now evident that by, “I have called by name Bezalel the son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah,” are signified those who are in the good of love, with whom the church was to be set up.