9557. 'There shall be three almond-shaped cups' means completeness so far as factual knowledge derived from good is concerned. This is clear from the meaning of 'three' as what is complete, dealt with immediately above in 9556; from the meaning of 'cups' as true factual knowledge derived from the good of charity, dealt with in 5120; and from the meaning of 'almond-shaped' as forms of the good of life that agree with the truths of interior natural good, dealt with in 5622. From these meanings it is evident that 'three almond-shaped cups' means completeness so far as true factual knowledge derived from good is concerned.

3068. 'Let down now your pitcher' means submitting facts. This becomes clear from the meaning of 'letting down' as submitting, and from the meaning of 'a pitcher' as facts. The reason why a water-pot or a pitcher means facts is that 'water' means truth, 680, 739, 2702, and a pitcher is a vessel with water in it, even as factual knowledge is a vessel with truth in it. All factual knowledge is a vessel for truth, and all truth is a vessel for good. Factual knowledge without truth is an empty vessel, and so is truth without good; but factual knowledge in which truth is held is a vessel that is filled, as is truth in which good is held. Affection which is an attribute of love is what joins them together so that they may exist in order. For love is spiritual conjunction.