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).