Arcana Coelestia # 7679
7679. 'And Jehovah brought an east wind' means an agent of destruction. This is clear from the meaning of 'an east wind' as an agent of destruction. 'An east wind' has this meaning because it was dry and turbulent, and because it therefore withered the produce of that land, and by its force shattered trees, and ships at sea. This is why that wind, acting as an agent [of destruction], describes the effect that Divine power can have. In addition 'the east' means the good of love and charity, for the Lord is meant by it in the highest sense, 101, 1250, 3708. Also, being Divine, the good of love and charity is in origin very gentle, and consequently is also such in its movements when it passes into heaven. But when it comes down into hell it becomes rough and fierce, because the inhabitants of hell make it so. Therefore the inflow and presence there of that Divine good not only torments them but also devastates them. This too explains why a wind from the east or 'an east wind' means an agent of destruction.
[2] The fact that this wind means an agent of destruction is evident from the places in which it is mentioned in the Word, as in Jeremiah,
Like an east wind I will scatter them before the enemy. Jeremiah 18:17.
In Ezekiel,
The vine that was planted, will it thrive? 1 When the east wind strikes it, will it not wither completely?. Ezekiel 17:10.
In the same prophet,
That vine has been plucked up in anger, it has been cast down onto the ground, the east wind has dried its fruit. Ezekiel 19:12.
In Hosea,
He will be among his brothers a ferocious one; an east wind will come, Jehovah's wind rising up from the desert, and his spring mill become dry, and his fountain dried up. Hosea 13:15.
In David,
By an east wind You will shatter the ships of Tarshish. Psalms 48:7.
In Ezekiel,
They brought you down to many waters, those who despise you; the east wind broke you in the heart of the seas. Ezekiel 27:26.
From these places it is evident that 'an east wind' means an agent of destruction, because it was a dry wind and a turbulent one. It therefore also means an agent of devastation, as in Hosea,
Ephraim feeds the wind, and pursues the east wind. All the day long he multiplies lies and devastation. Hosea 12:1.
'Ephraim' stands for the Church's understanding, 5354, 6222, 6238. 'Feeding the wind' is multiplying lies, and 'pursuing the east wind' is multiplying devastation. A state of devastation and temptation is also called 'the day of the east wind' in Isaiah 27:7-8.
Poznámky pod čarou:
1. Reading num prosperabitur (will it thrive?), which Swedenborg has in another place where he quotes this verse and which is the meaning of the Hebrew, for non prosperabitur (it will not thrive)
Psalms 48
1
Great is Yahweh, and greatly to be praised, in the city of our God, in his holy mountain.
2
Beautiful in elevation, the joy of the whole earth, is Mount Zion, on the north sides, the city of the great King.
3
God has shown himself in her citadels as a refuge.
4
For, behold, the kings assembled themselves, they passed by together.
5
They saw it, then they were amazed. They were dismayed. They hurried away.
6
Trembling took hold of them there, pain, as of a woman in travail.
7
With the east wind, you break the ships of Tarshish.
8
As we have heard, so we have seen, in the city of Yahweh of Armies, in the city of our God. God will establish it forever. Selah.
9
We have thought about your loving kindness, God, in the midst of your temple.
10
As is your name, God, so is your praise to the ends of the earth. Your right hand is full of righteousness.
11
Let Mount Zion be glad! Let the daughters of Judah rejoice, Because of your judgments.
12
Walk about Zion, and go around her. Number its towers.
13
Mark well her bulwarks. Consider her palaces, that you may tell it to the next generation.
14
For this God is our God forever and ever. He will be our guide even to death. For the Chief Musician. A Psalm by the sons of Korah.
