9854. With cord-work. That this signifies the method of the conjunction, is evident from the signification of “cord,” as being that which conjoins. That “cord” denotes that which conjoins, is because by means of it conjunction is effected; but here it signifies the method of the conjunction, because it is said that the chains of gold were to be made with cord-work. In the original tongue there is meant a cord made of twisted and entwined work, by which in the internal sense is signified conjunction such as is that of truths in memory-knowledges and among memory-knowledges, thus of those which are in the natural or external memory. The reason why such conjunction is signified, is that the subject here treated of is the conjunction of truths by means of good in the ultimates of the spiritual kingdom; for by “the ephod” and “the breastplate,” with which by means of the chains made with a work of cords there was conjunction, is signified the spiritual kingdom in ultimates (n. 9824); (that what is entwined denotes memory-knowledge, see n. 2831).

[2] Moreover, in the other life there appear cords of various twist and thickness, and by them are represented various methods of conjunction. It is from this that by “ropes” or “cords” in the Word also are signified things which conjoin, as in the following passages, in Isaiah:

Woe unto them that draw iniquity with cords of vanity, and sin as it were with a cart rope (Isaiah 5:18); where “cords of vanity” denote conjunctions of falsities through which there is iniquity or evil of life. Again:

Look upon Zion, the city of our set feast; thine eyes shall see Jerusalem a quiet habitation, a tent that shall not be scattered; the stakes thereof shall never be removed, neither shall any of the cords thereof be plucked out. Thy cords have been slackened; they shall not make firm their pole (Isaiah 33:20, 23);

here “stakes” and “cords” denote the things which conjoin the truths and goods of heaven, for the Habitation and the Tent, of which “the cords” are here predicated, denote heaven (n. 9457, 9481, 9485, 9615, 9784).

[3] Again:

Enlarge the place of thy tent, and let them stretch forth the curtains of thy habitations; forbid not, make long thy cords and make firm thy stakes (Isaiah 54:2).

My tent is laid waste, and all My cords plucked out (Jeremiah 10:20);

here also “cords” denote things which conjoin and make firm; “tent” denotes the church, which is the heaven of the Lord.

In Hosea:

I drew them with cords of a man, with thick cords of love (Hos. 11:4); where “cords” manifestly denote the things which conjoin, for love is spiritual conjunction.

In Ezekiel:

Asshur and Chilmad were thy traders in chests of garments tied with cords (Ezekiel 27:23-24);

speaking of Tyre, by which are signified the knowledges of good and truth (n. 1201); the external conjunctions of these are meant by “garments tied with cords.” Moreover, in the Word “cords” also signify portions of inheritance and of land, for the reason that measurements were made with cords (see Deuteronomy 32:9; Amos 7:17; Micah 2:4-5; Zech. 2:1; Psalms 16:6; 78:55; 105:11; 140:5).

9485. And let them make an ark. That this signifies the inmost heaven, is evident from the signification of the “ark,” as being the inmost heaven; for by the “testimony” or “law” in the ark is signified the Lord, for the reason that the “testimony” denotes the Divine truth, and Divine truth is the Lord in heaven (see below, n. 9503). It is from this that the ark signifies the inmost heaven; and therefore it was a most holy thing, and was worshiped by the people as Jehovah; for it was believed that Jehovah dwelt there, and between the cherubs, as is evident in David:

We heard in Ephrathah; we will enter into His habitation; we will bow at the footstool of His feet. Arise O Jehovah unto Thy rest; Thou, and the ark of Thy strength (Psalms 132:6-8);

treating of the Lord; “Ephrathah” is Bethlehem, where the Lord was born (Mic. 5:2; Matthew 2:6); the “habitation” denotes heaven where the Lord is; “Thou and the ark of Thy strength” denote the Lord and His representative.

[2] That the ark is a representative of the Lord, is plain in Jeremiah:

I will bring you back to Zion; in those days they shall say no more, The ark of the covenant; neither shall it come up upon the heart; neither shall they make mention of it; neither shall they long for it; neither shall it be repaired anymore. At that time they shall call Jerusalem the throne of Jehovah; and all the nations shall be gathered together to it, on account of the name of Jehovah, to Jerusalem (Jeremiah 3:14, 16-17);

treating of a new church. The representative of the former church, which representative was then to be abolished, is meant by “the ark,” which was “not to be spoken of anymore, neither to come up upon the heart, nor to be repaired.” “Jerusalem, to which the nations were to be gathered,” denotes this new church. From this it is plain that by “the ark” is signified a representative of the Lord and of the worship of Him in the church, the same as was signified by “the continual [burnt-offering],” and by “the habitation of the sanctuary,” in Daniel 8:11.

[3] That the ark was worshiped as Jehovah by the Israelitish and Jewish people, and that it was believed that He dwelt therein, and between the cherubs, is manifest in the second book of Samuel:

David made them bring up the ark of God, the name of which is called the name of Jehovah Zebaoth, that sitteth on the cherubs upon it (2 Samuel 6:2).

When the ark set forward, Moses said, Rise up, Jehovah, let Thine enemies be scattered. When it rested, he said, Return, Jehovah, unto the ten thousands of the thousands of Israel (Numbers 10:33-36).

That the inmost heaven was signified by “the ark,” was because by the whole tabernacle or tent was represented the universal angelic heaven; its ultimate by the court; its middle by the habitation where the priest ministered; and its inmost by the habitation within the veil, where was the ark in which was the testimony.