Arcana Coelestia # 790
790. That the “waters” here and in the following verses signify falsities, is evident from the passages of the Word adduced at the beginning of this chapter, and at verse 6, where a “flood” or inundation of waters is treated of. It is there shown that inundations of waters signify desolations and temptations, which involve the same as falsities; for desolations and temptations are nothing else than inundations of falsities that are excited by evil spirits. That such “waters” signify falsities, is because in the Word “waters” in general signify what is spiritual, that is, what is of understanding, of reason, and of memory-knowledge [intellectuale, rationale, et scientificum]; and as they signify these they also signify their contraries, for every falsity is a something pertaining to memory-knowledge, and appears as a thing of reason and understanding, because it is of the thought.
[2] That “waters” signify spiritual things, is evident from many passages in the Word; and that they also signify falsities, let the following passages, in addition to those already cited, serve for confirmation.
In Isaiah:
This people hath refused the waters of Shiloah that go softly; therefore behold the Lord bringeth up upon them the waters of the river, strong and many, and he shall go over all his banks (Isaiah 8:6-7)
The “waters that go softly” here denote things spiritual, “waters strong and many” falsities. Again:
Woe to the land shadowing with wings, which is beyond the rivers of Ethiopia; that sendeth ambassadors upon the sea, and in vessels of papyrus upon the waters. Go, ye swift messengers, to a nation meted out and trodden down, whose land the rivers have spoiled (Isaiah 18:1-2),
denoting the falsities which are of the “land shadowing with wings.”
[3] Again:
When thou passest through the waters I will be with thee, and through the rivers they shall not overflow thee (Isaiah 43:2).
The “waters” and “rivers” denote difficulties, and also falsities.
In Jeremiah:
What hast thou to do with the way of Egypt, to drink the waters of Shihor? And what hast thou to do with the way of Assyria, to drink the waters of the river? (Jeremiah 2:18),
where “waters” denote falsities from reasonings. Again:
Who is this that riseth up as a river? as the rivers his waters are in commotion. Egypt riseth up as a river, and as the rivers his waters toss themselves; and he said, I will rise up, I will cover the earth, I will destroy the city and the inhabitants thereof (Jeremiah 46:7-8),
where again “waters” denote falsities from reasonings.
[4] In Ezekiel:
Thus saith the Lord Jehovih, When I shall make thee a desolate city, like the cities that are not inhabited, when I shall bring up the deep upon thee, and the great waters shall cover thee, then will I bring thee down with them that descend into the pit (Ezekiel 26:19-20).
“Waters” here denote evils and the falsities therefrom.
In Habakkuk: Thou didst tread the sea with thine horses, the mire of many waters (Habakkuk 3:15), where “waters” denote falsities.
In John:
And the serpent cast forth after the woman, out of his mouth, water as a river, that he might cause her to be carried away by the stream (Revelation 12:15-16).
Here “waters” denote falsities and lies.
In David:
Send Thine hand from above, rescue me and deliver me out of great waters, out of the hand of the sons of the stranger, whose mouth speaketh a lie, and their right hand is a right hand of falsehood (Psalms 144:7-8).
“Great waters” here manifestly denote falsities; the “sons of the stranger” also signify falsities.
Isaiah 9
1
But there shall be no more gloom for her who was in anguish. In the former time, he brought into contempt the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali; but in the latter time he has made it glorious, by the way of the sea, beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the nations.
2
The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light. Those who lived in the land of the shadow of death, on them the light has shined.
3
You have multiplied the nation. You have increased their joy. They rejoice before you according to the joy in harvest, as men rejoice when they divide the spoil.
4
For the yoke of his burden, and the staff of his shoulder, the rod of his oppressor, you have broken as in the day of Midian.
5
For all the armor of the armed man in the noisy battle, and the garments rolled in blood, will be for burning, fuel for the fire.
6
For to us a child is born. To us a son is given; and the government will be on his shoulders. His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
7
Of the increase of his government and of peace there shall be no end, on the throne of David, and on his kingdom, to establish it, and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from that time on, even forever. The zeal of Yahweh of Armies will perform this.
8
The Lord sent a word into Jacob, and it falls on Israel.
9
All the people will know, including Ephraim and the inhabitants of Samaria, who say in pride and in arrogance of heart,
10
"The bricks have fallen, but we will build with cut stone. The sycamore fig trees have been cut down, but we will put cedars in their place."
11
Therefore Yahweh will set up on high against him the adversaries of Rezin, and will stir up his enemies,
12
The Syrians in front, and the Philistines behind; and they will devour Israel with open mouth. For all this, his anger is not turned away, but his hand is stretched out still.
13
Yet the people have not turned to him who struck them, neither have they sought Yahweh of Armies.
14
Therefore Yahweh will cut off from Israel head and tail, palm branch and reed, in one day.
15
The elder and the honorable man is the head, and the prophet who teaches lies is the tail.
16
For those who lead this people lead them astray; and those who are led by them are destroyed.
17
Therefore the Lord will not rejoice over their young men, neither will he have compassion on their fatherless and widows; for everyone is profane and an evildoer, and every mouth speaks folly. For all this his anger is not turned away, but his hand is stretched out still.
18
For wickedness burns like a fire. It devours the briers and thorns; yes, it kindles in the thickets of the forest, and they roll upward in a column of smoke.
19
Through the wrath of Yahweh of Armies, the land is burnt up; and the people are the fuel for the fire. No one spares his brother.
20
One will devour on the right hand, and be hungry; and he will eat on the left hand, and they will not be satisfied. Everyone will eat the flesh of his own arm:
21
Manasseh, Ephraim; and Ephraim, Manasseh; and they together shall be against Judah. For all this his anger is not turned away, but his hand is stretched out still.
