9921. And bells of gold. That this signifies all things of doctrine and of worship from good passing over to those who are of the church, is evident from the signification of “bells,” as being all things of doctrine and of worship passing over to those who are of the church (of which below); that they are from good is signified by their being of gold, for “gold” signifies good (see n. 113, 1551, 1552, 5658, 6914, 6917, 8932, 9490, 9510, 9874, 9881, 9884). That “the bells” denote all things of doctrine and of worship passing over to those who are of the church, is because by means of the bells the people heard and perceived the presence of Aaron in his ministration, for by “the people” are signified those who are of the church, and by “Aaron’s ministry” are signified all things of doctrine and of worship; and therefore it is said in what follows:

And they shall be upon Aaron to minister; and the voice thereof shall be heard when he goeth in unto the holiness before Jehovah, and when be cometh out (Exodus 28:35);

from which it is plain what is signified by “the bells.” The reason why these bells were put in the skirts, was that the holy things of doctrine are in the extremes, and the hearing and perception are there, and are from thence (see n. 9824, 9905).

9881. Of pure gold. That this signifies through celestial good, is evident from the signification of “gold,” as being the good of love (see n. 113, 1551, 1552, 5658, 6914, 6917, 8932, 9490, 9510); and as it is called “pure gold,” it is celestial good which is meant; for there is celestial good, and there is spiritual good, and each both internal and external. Celestial good is the good of love to the Lord, and spiritual good is the good of love toward the neighbor. In the Word all these goods are called “gold,” and are distinguished as “the gold from Uphaz,” “from Ophir,” “from Sheba” and “Havilah,” and also “from Tarshish”—by “the gold from Uphaz” in Jeremiah 10:9; and Daniel 10:5, which denotes celestial good; by “the gold from Ophir” in Isaiah 13:12; Psalm 45:9; and Job 22:24; 28:16, which denotes spiritual good; by “the gold from Sheba” in Isaiah 60:6; Ezekiel 27:22; Psalm 72:15, which denotes the good of knowledges; as also by “the gold from Havilah” in Genesis 2:11-12; and by “the silver and gold from Tarshish” in Isaiah 60:9, which denote the truth and good of memory-knowledge.