4861. And sat in the gate of the fountains which is upon the way to Timnah. That this signifies what is intermediate to the truths of the church and to falsities, is evident from the signification of “fountains,” as being the truths of the church which are from the Word; for “fountain” in the universal sense is the Word (n. 2702, 3096, 3424). “In the gate of the fountains” is in the entrance to these truths; and because the external truths of the sense of the letter of the Word furnish an entrance, they are the “gate.” But unless these truths are enlightened by internal truths, that is, by those of the internal sense, they present falsities with those who are in evil; wherefore what is intermediate to the truths of the church and to falsities is here signified by the “gate of the fountains.” “Upon the way to Timnah” is to the use of the church, for “Timnah” is the state of taking counsel for the church (see n. 4855, 4857).

3096. And she ran again unto the well to draw. That this signifies a lower affection of truth, is evident from the signification of a “well,” as being truth (see n. 2702), but truth that is lower; and as the initiation of truth is here treated of, a lower affection of truth is signified, as just said (n. 3094). The difference of signification in the internal sense between a “fountain” and a “well” may be seen in the number already cited (n. 2702), namely, that the term “fountain” is used when a purer and a higher truth is treated of, but “well” when a truth not so pure and also lower; as is the case in this chapter likewise, in which it is sometimes said a “fountain” and sometimes a “well.” Natural truth is lower truth; and the affection of natural truth is a lower affection of truth; from this affection, proximately, are the general memory-knowledges enlightened; and that this enlightenment penetrates further and affects more deeply, may be seen above (n. 3094).