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).

4853. And he went up unto the shearers of his flocks. That this signifies some elevation to take counsel for the church, is evident from the signification of “going up,” as being to be elevated, namely, from what is exterior to what is interior (n. 3084, 4539); and from the signification of a “shearer,” as being use (n. 4110), thus to will use, or to take counsel for it; and from the signification of a “flock,” as being the church (n. 343, 3767, 3768, 3772).