9544. And thou shalt make the little dishes thereof, and the cups thereof, and the salvers thereof, and the little brooms thereof, with which it shall be covered. That this signifies the knowledges of celestial good and truth, is evident from the signification of “vessels” in general, as being knowledges (see n. 3068, 3079). Thus the particular vessels here enumerated denote the knowledges of celestial good and truth. Celestial good is the good of love to the Lord, and celestial truth is the good of mutual love; the knowledges of these goods are signified by the vessels in question. And as knowledges are signified, and knowledges belong to the memory of the natural man, and the natural is external, therefore it is said, “with which the table shall be covered;” for as the natural is without, or beneath, and covers and closes that which is within or above, it is called a “covering” (n. 6377). The use of these vessels may be seen in Leviticus 24:6-7, and in Numbers 4:7-8.

3068. Let down thy pitcher, I pray thee. That this signifies the submission of memory-knowledges, is evident from the signification of “letting down,” as being to submit; and from the signification of a “pitcher,” as being memory-knowledges. That a “water-jar” or “pitcher” signifies memory-knowledges, comes from the fact that “water” signifies truth (n. 680, 739, 2702); and a pitcher is a vessel containing water, just as memory-knowledge is a vessel in which is truth; for every memory-knowledge is a vessel for truth, and every truth is a vessel for good. Memory-knowledge without truth is an empty vessel; and so too is truth without good; but memory-knowledge in which there is truth, and truth in which there is good, are full vessels. Affection which is of love is that which conjoins so that they may be within in order; for love is spiritual conjunction.