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Deuteronomio 32

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1 Makinig kayo, mga langit, at ako'y magsasalita, At pakinggan ng lupa ang mga salita ng aking bibig.

2 Ang aking aral ay papatak na parang ulan; Ang aking salita ay bababa na parang hamog; Gaya ng ambon sa malambot na damo, At gaya ng mahinang ambon sa gugulayin:

3 Sapagka't aking ihahayag ang pangalan ng Panginoon: Dakilain ninyo ang ating Dios.

4 Siya ang Bato, ang kaniyang gawa ay sakdal; Sapagka't lahat niyang daan ay kahatulan: Isang Dios na tapat at walang kasamaan, Matuwid at banal siya.

5 Sila'y nagpakasama, sila'y hindi kaniyang mga anak, itong kanilang kapintasan; Mga tampalasan at likong lahi.

6 Ganyan ba ninyo ginaganti ang Panginoon, O mangmang na bayan at hindi pantas? Hindi ba siya ang iyong ama na tumangkilik sa iyo? Kaniyang nilalang ka, at itinatag ka.

7 Alalahanin mo ang mga araw ng una, Isipin mo ang mga taon ng lahi't lahi: Itanong mo sa iyong ama at kaniyang ibabalita sa iyo; Sa iyong mga matanda, at kanilang sasaysayin sa iyo.

8 Nang ibigay ng Kataastaasan sa mga bansa ang kanilang mana, Nang kaniyang ihiwalay ang mga anak ng tao, Kaniyang inilagay ang mga hangganan ng mga bayan Ayon sa bilang ng mga anak ni Israel.

9 Sapagka't ang bahagi ng Panginoon ay ang kaniyang bayan; Si Jacob ang bahaging mana niya.

10 Kaniyang nasumpungan sa isang ilang sa lupain, At sa kapanglawan ng isang umuungal na ilang; Kaniyang kinanlungan sa palibot, kaniyang nilingap, Kaniyang iningatang parang salamin ng kaniyang mata:

11 Parang aguila na kumikilos ng kaniyang pugad, Na yumuyungyong sa kaniyang mga inakay, Kaniyang ibinubuka ang kaniyang mga pakpak, kaniyang kinukuha, Kaniyang dinadala sa ibabaw ng kaniyang mga pakpak:

12 Ang Panginoon na magisa ang pumatnubay sa kaniya, At walang ibang dios na kasama siya.

13 Ipinaari sa kaniya ang matataas na dako ng lupa, At siya'y kumain ng tubo sa bukid; At kaniyang pinahitit ng pulot na mula sa bato, At ng langis na mula sa batong pinkian;

14 Ng mantika ng baka, at gatas ng tupa, Na may taba ng mga kordero, At ng mga tupang lalake sa Basan, at mga kambing, Na may taba ng mga butil ng trigo; At sa katas ng ubas ay uminom ka ng alak.

15 Nguni't tumaba si Jeshurun, at tumutol: Ikaw ay tumataba, ikaw ay lumalapad, ikaw ay naging makinis: Nang magkagayo'y kaniyang pinabayaan ang Dios na lumalang sa kaniya, At niwalang kabuluhan ang Bato na kaniyang kaligtasan.

16 Siya'y kinilos nila sa paninibugho sa ibang mga dios, Sa pamamagitan ng mga karumaldumal, minungkahi nila siya sa kagalitan.

17 Kanilang inihain sa mga demonio, na hindi Dios, Sa mga dios na hindi nila nakilala, Sa mga bagong dios, na kalilitaw pa lamang, Na hindi kinatakutan ng inyong mga magulang.

18 Sa Batong nanganak sa iyo, ay nagwalang bahala ka, At iyong kinalimutan ang Dios na lumalang sa iyo.

19 At nakita ng Panginoon, at kinayamutan sila, Dahil sa pamumungkahi ng kaniyang mga anak na lalake at babae.

20 At kaniyang sinabi, Aking ikukubli ang aking mukha sa kanila, Aking titingnan kung anong mangyayari sa kanilang wakas; Sapagka't sila'y isang napakasamang lahi, Na mga anak na walang pagtatapat.

21 Kinilos nila ako sa paninibugho doon sa hindi Dios; Kanilang minungkahi ako sa galit sa kanilang mga walang kabuluhan: At akin silang kikilusin sa paninibugho sa mga hindi bayan: Aking ipamumungkahi sila sa galit, sa pamamagitan ng isang mangmang na bansa.

22 Sapagka't may apoy na nagalab sa aking galit, At nagniningas hanggang sa Sheol, At lalamunin ang lupa sangpu ng tubo nito, At paniningasan ng apoy ang mga tungtungan ng mga bundok.

23 Aking dadaganan sila ng mga kasamaan; Aking gugugulin ang aking busog sa kanila:

24 Sila'y mangapupugnaw sa gutom, at lalamunin ng maningas na init, At ng mapait na pagkalipol; At ang mga ngipin ng mga hayop ay susunugin ko sa kanila, Sangpu ng kamandag ng nangagsisiusad sa alabok.

25 Sa labas ay pipighatiin ng tabak. At sa mga silid ay kakilabutan; Malilipol kapuwa ang binata at dalaga, Ang sanggol sangpu ng lalaking may uban.

26 Aking sinabi, Aking pangangalatin sila sa malayo, Aking papaglilikatin sa mga tao ang alaala sa kanila;

27 Kundi aking kinatatakutan ang mungkahi ng kaaway; Baka ang kanilang mga kalaban ay humatol ng mali, Baka kanilang sabihin, Ang aming kamay ay tanghal, At hindi ginawa ng Panginoon ang lahat ng ito.

28 Sapagka't sila'y bansang salat sa payo, At walang kaalaman sa kanila.

29 Oh kung sila'y mga pantas, na kanilang tinalastas ito, Kung nababatid nila ang kanilang wakas!

30 Kung paanong hahabulin ng isa ang isang libo, At ang dalawa'y magpapatakas sa sangpung libo, Malibang ipagbili sila ng kanilang Bato, At ibigay sila ng Panginoon?

31 Sapagka't ang kanilang bato ay hindi gaya ng ating Bato, Kahit ang ating mga kaaway man ang maging mga hukom.

32 Sapagka't ang kanilang puno ng ubas ay mga puno ng ubas sa Sodoma, At sa mga parang ng Gomorra: Ang kanilang ubas ay ubas ng apdo, Ang kanilang mga buwig ay mapait:

33 Ang kanilang alak ay kamandag ng mga dragon, At mabagsik na kamandag ng mga ahas.

34 Di ba ito'y natatago sa akin, Na natatatakan sa aking mga kayamanan?

35 Ang panghihiganti ay akin, at gayon din ang gantingpala, Sa panahon na madudulas ang kanilang mga paa: Sapagka't ang araw ng kanilang pagdadalita ay nalalapit, At ang mga bagay na darating sa kanila ay mangagmamadali.

36 Sapagka't hahatulan ng Panginoon ang kaniyang bayan, At magsisisi dahil sa kaniyang mga lingkod; Pagka kaniyang nakitang ang kanilang kapangyarihan ay nawala, At wala ng natitira na natatakpan o naiwan.

37 At kaniyang sasabihin, Saan nandoon ang kanilang mga dios, Ang bato na siya nilang pinanganlungan;

38 Yaong mga kumakain ng taba ng kanilang mga hain, At umiinom ng alak ng kanilang inuming handog? Bumangon sila at tumulong sa inyo, At sila'y maging pagkupkop sa inyo.

39 Tingnan ninyo ngayon, na ako, sa makatuwid baga'y ako nga, At walang dios sa akin: Ako'y pumapatay, at ako'y bumubuhay; Ako'y ang sumusugat, at ako'y ang nagpapagaling: At walang makaliligtas sa aking kamay.

40 Sapagka't aking itinataas ang aking kamay sa langit, At aking sinasabi, Buhay ako magpakailan man,

41 Kung aking ihahasa ang aking makintab na tabak, At ang aking kamay ay hahawak ng kahatulan; Aking ibibigay ang aking panghihiganti sa aking mga kaaway, At aking gagantihan yaong nangapopoot sa akin.

42 At aking lalanguin ng dugo ang aking tunod, At ang aking tabak ay sasakmal ng laman; Sa dugo ng patay at ng mga bihag, Mula sa ulo ng mga pangulo ng kaaway.

43 Mangagalak kayo, O mga bansa, na kasama ng kaniyang bayan; Sapagka't ipanghihiganti ang dugo ng kaniyang mga lingkod, At manghihiganti sa kaniyang mga kaalit, At patatawarin ang kaniyang lupain, ang kaniyang bayan.

44 At si Moises ay naparoon at sinalita ang lahat ng mga salita ng awit na ito sa pakinig ng bayan, siya, at si Josue na anak ni Nun.

45 At tinapos ni Moises na salitain ang lahat ng mga salitang ito sa buong Israel:

46 At kaniyang sinabi sa kanila, Ilagak ninyo ang inyong puso sa lahat ng mga salita na aking pinatototohanan sa inyo sa araw na ito, na inyong iuutos sa inyong mga anak upang isagawa ang lahat ng mga salita ng kautusang ito.

47 Sapagka't ito'y hindi hamak na bagay sa inyo; sapagka't inyong kabuhayan, at sa bagay na ito ay inyong palalaunin ang inyong ipinagtatawid ng Jordan upang ariin.

48 At sinalita ng Panginoon kay Moises nang araw ding yaon, na sinasabi,

49 Sumampa ka sa bundok na ito ng Abarim, sa bundok ng Nebo na nasa lupain ng Moab, na nasa tapat ng Jerico; at masdan mo ang lupain ng Canaan, na aking ibinibigay sa mga anak ni Israel, na pinakaari:

50 At mamatay ka sa bundok na iyong sinasampa, at malakip ka sa iyong bayan, gaya ni Aaron na iyong kapatid na namatay sa bundok ng Hor, at nalakip sa kaniyang bayan:

51 Sapagka't kayo'y sumalansang laban sa akin sa gitna ng mga anak ni Israel sa tubig ng Meriba ng Cades, sa ilang ng Zin; sapagka't hindi ninyo ako inaring banal sa gitna ng mga anak ni Israel.

52 Sapagka't iyong matatanaw ang lupain sa harap mo; nguni't doo'y hindi ka makapapasok, sa lupain na aking ibinibigay sa mga anak ni Israel.

   

Ze Swedenborgových děl

 

Apocalypse Explained # 863

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863. For they are virgins. That this signifies for the reason that they are in the affection of truth for the sake of truth, is evident from the signification of virgins, as denoting the affections of truth, which are called spiritual. For there are affections of truth which are natural, and this is the case with almost all people, especially during youth and adolescence; and such natural affections have reward as an end; in the first place fame, and afterwards honour and gain. But these affections are not meant here by virgins, but spiritual affections of truth, which are those which have eternal life, and the uses of that life as their end. Those who are in these affections, love truths because they are truths, thus apart from the world's glory, honours, and gain. And those who love truths apart from such things, love the Lord; for the Lord is with man in the truths which are from good. For that which proceeds from the Lord as a Sun is Divine truth; and the Lord is that which proceeds from Himself. He, therefore, who receives truth because it is truth, from spiritual love, receives the Lord. Hence it is said of such, "These are they which follow the Lamb whithersoever he goeth." These are also meant by these words of the Lord, in Matthew:

"The kingdom of the heavens is like to a treasure hid in a field, which when a man hath found he hideth; and for joy thereof goeth and selleth all that he hath, and buyeth the field."

Again:

"The kingdom of the heavens is like to a merchantman seeking goodly pearls, who, when he had found one precious pearl, went and sold all that he had, and bought it" (13:44-46).

By the treasure hid in the field, and by the pearls, are signified the truths of heaven and the church; and by the one precious pearl is signified the acknowledgment of the Lord. The affection of truths for their own sake is signified by the man going for joy, and selling all that he had, and buying the field in which the treasure was hid; also by the merchantman going and selling all that he had, and buying the precious pearl.

[2] Those who are in the spiritual affection of truth are called virgins, from the marriage of good and truth, from which proceeds conjugial love. For the wife is the affection of good, and the husband is the understanding of truth; females and males are such by birth. Now because virgins love to be conjoined to men who are in the understanding of truth, therefore they signify the affections of truth. But upon this subject more may be seen in the work concerning Heaven and Hell 366-386), where marriages in the spiritual world are treated of. From these things the significations of virgins in the following passages in the Word is now evident.

In Lamentations:

"The ways of Zion do mourn, because they come not to the feast; all her gates are laid waste, her priests sigh, her virgins are sad, and she is in bitterness: the Lord hath prostrated all the mighty in the midst of me; he hath proclaimed against me the time appointed, to break my young men: the Lord hath trodden the wine-press for the virgin daughter of Zion. Hear, I pray, all ye people, and see my grief: my virgins and my young men are gone into captivity" (1:4, 15, 18).

The devastation of Divine truth in the church is described by these words. Zion, of which these words are spoken, signifies the church where the Lord reigns by means of Divine truth. The ways of Zion mourning, signifies that Divine truths are no longer sought. No one coming to the feast, signifies that there is then no worship. All her gates being laid waste, signifies that there is no approach to truths. Her priests sigh, her virgins are sad, signifies that the affections of good and the affections of truth are destroyed. He hath prostrated all my mighty men in the midst of me, signifies that all the power of truth against falsities has perished. He hath proclaimed against me the time appointed, signifies its last state, when the Lord is about to come. To break my young men, signifies, when there is no longer any understanding of truth. The Lord hath trodden the wine-press for the virgin daughter of Zion, signifies, when all the truths of the Word are falsified. My virgins and my young men have gone into captivity, signifies, when all affection of truth and the understanding of truth have perished by falsities.

[3] Again:

"The elders of the daughter of Zion, they sit on the earth, they keep silence; they have cast up dust upon their heads, they have girded themselves with sackcloth, the virgins of Jerusalem hang down their heads to the ground. What shall I testify to thee, to what shall I liken thee, O virgin daughter of Zion? The boy and the old man have lain in the streets; my virgins and my young men have fallen by the sword" (Lamentations 2:10, 13, 21).

By these words also is described the devastation of Divine truth in the church; the daughter of Zion denoting the church in which the Lord reigns by means of Divine truth. Grief on account of her devastation is described by sitting on the earth, by the elders being silent, by casting up dust upon the head, by girding themselves with sackcloth, and by hanging down the head to the earth. By the elders of the daughter of Zion are signified those who have been in Divine truths. By the virgins of Jerusalem are signified those who have taught truths from affection for truth. The boy and the old man have lain in the streets, signifies that, with Divine truths, innocence and wisdom are destroyed. My virgins and my young men have fallen by the sword, signifies that all the affection of truth and the understanding of truth have perished by falsities, virgin denoting the affection of truth, young man the understanding of truth; and to fall by the sword, to perish by falsities.

[4] Again:

"Our skins are blackened as an oven on account of the storms of famine; the women in Zion were violated, the virgins in the cities of Judah; the princes were hanged up by their hands, the faces of the elders were not honoured" (Lamentations 5:10-12).

Here similar things are involved. What is signified by the women in Zion, the virgins in the cities of Judah, and by the princes and old men, has been explained above (n. 540, 555, 655).

In Amos:

"Behold the days come in which I will send a famine in the land, not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for waters, but of hearing the words of Jehovah: in that day, the fair virgins and the young men shall faint for thirst" (8:11,13).

This refers to the want of Divine truth. Such want is meant by famine and thirst. It is said, therefore, not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for waters, but of hearing the words of Jehovah. That the affection of truth and the understanding of truth will cease through want, is signified by, in that day, the virgins and the young men shall faint for thirst.

[5] In Isaiah:

"Be thou ashamed, O Zidon; the sea hath spoken, the fortress of the sea, saying, I have not travailed nor brought forth; I have not nourished young men, nor brought up virgins" (23:4).

By Zidon and Tyre is meant the church as to the knowledges of good and truth; and by the sea and the fortress of the sea, the Natural where those knowledges are. That none are reformed by those knowledges is signified by, I have not travailed nor brought forth; and that consequently there is no understanding of truth, nor affection of truth, is signified by, I have not nourished young men, nor brought up virgins.

[6] In David:

God "gave up his people to the sword, and was wroth with his inheritance. The fire hath devoured his young men, and his virgins are not given in marriage. Their priests have fallen by the sword" (Psalms 78:62-64).

Here also the devastation of the church by falsities and evils is treated of. God gave up His people to the sword, and was wroth with His inheritance, signifies that the church perished by falsities and evils; the sword denoting the destruction of truth by falsities; and being wroth, destruction by evils. The people signify those in the church who are in truths, and the inheritance, those who are in goods; in this case, those who are in falsities and evils. The fire hath devoured His young men, signifies that the love of self and the pride of their own intelligence thence, have destroyed the understanding of truth. His virgins are not given in marriage, signifies that the affections of truth perished, through not understanding truth. His priests have fallen by the sword, signifies that the goods of the church, which are the goods of works, charity, and life, were destroyed by falsities.

[7] In Moses:

"Without shall the sword bereave, and from the inner chambers terror, both the young man and the virgin, the suckling with the man of age" (Deuteronomy 32:25).

Without shall the sword bereave, and from the inner chambers terror, signifies that falsity and evil, which are from hell, shall devastate both the natural and the rational man. The young man and virgin signify the understanding of truth and the affection for it. The suckling with the man of age, signifies innocence and wisdom.

[8] In Jeremiah:

"By thee will I disperse nations, and by thee will I destroy kingdoms; by thee will I disperse the horse and the rider; by thee will I disperse the chariot and him that is carried therein; by thee will I disperse the old man and the boy; by thee will I disperse the young man and the virgin; by thee will I disperse the shepherd and his flock; by thee will I disperse the husbandman and his yokes; by thee will I disperse the officers and the rulers" (51:20-23).

These things are said of Jacob and Israel, by whom, in the highest sense, is meant the Lord, who was to destroy the evils and falsities which ruled in the church about the time of His advent. By the nations and kingdoms which He will disperse, are signified evils and falsities in general. By the horse and his rider, are signified reasonings from falsities against truth. By the chariot and him who is carried therein, are signified the falsities of doctrine. By old man and boy, are signified falsities confirmed and not confirmed. By young man and virgin, are signified the understanding of falsity and the affection for it. By the shepherd and his flock are signified those who teach and those who learn. By the husbandman and his yokes, are signified things of a similar kind. By officers and rulers, are signified the principles of falsity and evil.

[9] In Ezekiel:

"Jehovah said, go through the midst of the city, and through the midst of Jerusalem, and slay to destruction the old man, the young man, the virgin, and the infant, and the women; but against any man upon whom is the sign, approach not" (9:4, 6).

By these things is described the devastation of all things pertaining to the church, Jerusalem denoting the church; and the old man and young man, the virgin, the infant, and women, denoting all things of the church. The old man, wisdom; the young man, intelligence; the virgin, affection for truth; the infant, innocence; the women, the good conjoined to the true; and to slay to destruction, denotes to destroy utterly. That these things were not done, but only seen by the prophet when he was in the spirit, is evident from the preceding verses, wherein the abominations of the house of Israel and Judah are shown under various forms and objects. And because those things were not done, but only seen, it is quite clear, that by the old man, young man, virgin, infant, and women, such things as have been described are signified. What is meant by not approaching any man upon whom was the sign, may be seen above (n. 427).

[10] In Joel:

"They cast lots upon my people, and gave a boy for a harlot, and sold a girl for wine, which they drank" (3:3).

To cast lots upon the people, signifies to disperse the truths of the church by means of falsities. To give a boy for a harlot, signifies to falsify the truths of the Word. To sell a girl for wine, signifies to falsify the goods of the Word. Which they drank, signifies being tainted with falsity.

[11] In Zechariah:

"The streets of the city shall be full of boys and girls playing in my streets" (8:5).

By boys and girls are signified the truths and goods of innocence, such as the truths and goods of the Word are, which essentially constitute the church. By the streets of the city are signified doctrinals, which was the reason that the ancients taught in the streets. And to play in the streets, signifies to be glad and rejoice on account of them.

[12] In Jeremiah:

"Again will I build thee, O virgin Israel; then shall the virgin be glad in her dance, and the young men and old men together" (31:4, 13).

By the virgin Israel is signified the church from the affection of truth. Then shall the virgin be glad in the dance, signifies the gladness of heart of those who are in the spiritual affection of truth; because all spiritual gladness is from the affection for truth. Wherefore to play, dance, sing, and similar things, are spoken in the Word of virgins and damsels.

[13] Because the church is a church from the spiritual affection for truth, which is the love of truth for the sake of truth, therefore mention is made in the Word throughout of

"The virgin Israel" (as in Jeremiah 18:13; 31:4, 21; Amos 5:2).

"The virgin daughter of Zion" (2 Kings 19:21; Isaiah 37:22; Lamentations 1:4; 2:13).

"The virgin daughter of my people" (Jeremiah 14:17).

"The virgin daughter of Zidon" (Isaiah 23:12).

"The virgin daughter of Egypt" (Jeremiah 46:11).

Also:

"The virgin daughter of Babel" (Isaiah 47:1).

In David:

"They have seen thy steps, O God, the steps of my God, my King, in the sanctuary; the singers went before, the players on instruments followed after, in the midst of the virgins playing on the timbrels" (Psalms 68:24, 25, 26).

These things are said of the Lord, who is there meant by my God and my King. And His Advent is meant by His steps in the sanctuary. By the singers, the players on instruments and on timbrels, are signified all those who belong to His spiritual and celestial kingdoms. By the singing virgins, those who belong to the Lord's spiritual kingdom. By players on instruments and on the timbrels, those who belong to His celestial kingdom; these are called virgins from the affection of truth and good. And singing, playing on instruments and on timbrels, are said of their gladness and joy of heart. For by instruments which are beaten and those which are blown is described the joy of those who belong to the celestial kingdom, but by stringed instruments and singing the gladness of those who belong to the spiritual kingdom is described.

[14] Again:

"The daughters of kings among the precious ones; at thy right hand standeth the queen in purest gold of Ophir: hear, O daughter, and see, incline thine ear, then shall the king be delighted in thy beauty, for he is thy Lord, therefore bow thyself down to him. Also the daughter of Tyre shall be there with a gift, the rich of the people shall intreat thy favour. The king's daughter is all glorious within; her clothing of wrought gold; she shall be brought unto the king in broidered garments; the virgins that follow her, her companions, shall be brought to him, with joy and exultation they shall be brought, into the palace of the king" (Psalms 45:9-15).

That these things are said of the Lord, is evident from the verses that precede, 2-8, and from those that follow, 16 and 17. And by the daughters of kings are signified affections for Divine truth. By the queen at His right hand in purest gold of Ophir, is signified heaven and the church, which are in Divine truths from Divine good. To hear, see, and incline the ear, which are said of the King's daughter, signify to hearken, perceive, and obey; thus to understand, to act, and be wise, from the Lord. That then she will be accepted of the Lord, is signified by, then shall the King be delighted in thy beauty, beauty being predicated of the affection of truth; for this constitutes the beauty of the angels. Therefore, bow thyself down to Him, signifies worship from a humble heart. Also the daughter of Tyre shall be there with a gift, signifies worship from those who are in the knowledges of truth. The rich of the people shall intreat thy favour, signifies adoration from those who are in intelligence from those knowledges. The King's daughter is all glorious within, signifies the spiritual affection of truth, which is called glorious from the abundance of truth; and within, signifies spiritual. Her clothing of wrought gold, signifies investing truths formed from the good of love. She shall be brought to the King in embroidered garments, signifies appearances of truth, such as exist in the literal sense of the Word. The virgins that follow her, her companions, signifies spiritual-natural affections of truth, which are of service. With joy and exultation they shall be brought, they shall come into the palace of the king, signifies with heavenly joy into heaven, where the Lord is.

[15] Because the daughters of a king signified spiritual affections for truth; and their garments signified truths in the ultimate of order, such as the truths of the Word in the literal sense are; therefore,

The daughters of a king, whilst they were virgins, were formerly clothed in robes made of variegated pieces, as is said of Tamar, the daughter of David (2 Sam. 13:18).

In Zechariah:

"How great is his goodness, and how great is his beauty: corn maketh the young men to grow, and new wine the virgins" (9:17).

This treats also of the Lord. And by His goodness and beauty are meant Divine good and Divine truth. Corn makes the young men to grow, and new wine the virgins, signifies that the understanding of truth, and the affection for truth, are formed by means of good and truth from Him.

From these passages it is clear that by virgins, in the Word, are signified affections of truth; and similarly in other passages.

[16] As in Isaiah 62:5; Jeremiah 2:32; Joel 1:7, 8; Psalm 148:12; Judges 5:30.

Because a virgin signified an affection for the genuine truth of the church which altogether agrees with the good of love, it was commanded that

The high priest should not take to wife a widow, or a woman divorced, or a corrupt harlot, but a virgin from his people, lest he should profane his seed (Leviticus 21:13-15).

Likewise Ezekiel (44:22);

the explanation of this may be seen (n. 768). Because by a virgin is signified an affection for genuine truth, and by her violation is signified the falsification of Divine truth, therefore to commit adultery was so severely forbidden, as, for example:

"If a man entice a virgin, and lie with her, he shall endow her to himself for a wife: but if her father shall refuse to give her, he shall weigh silver according to the dowry of virgins" (Ex. 22:16, 17; Deuteronomy 22:28, 29);

this may be seen explained in the Arcana Coelestia 9181-9186).

[17] Because the affection for truth and the understanding of truth form a marriage, like that of a virgin espoused and married to a man, and that they afterwards make one like will and understanding, or like affection and thought, or like good and truth, in every man; and because different affections cannot be conjoined to one and the same thought, or different wills to one and the same understanding, or different truths of the church to one and the same good of love, without its resulting in the falsification and thence the dissipation of truth; hence it was that lying with a virgin who was betrothed was a crime punishable by death; according to these words in Moses:

"If a damsel that is a virgin be betrothed to a husband, and a man lie with her in the city, both shall be stoned; but if it be in the field, the man alone shall die, the damsel is not guilty of death" (Deuteronomy 22:23-27).

By lying together in the city is signified the adulteration of the good and truth of doctrine from the Word; for a city denotes doctrine; and stoning was a punishment for injuring the truth of doctrine. But by lying together in the field is signified the falsification of the truth of the church before it is received as a doctrinal; thus not in adulteration of the good thereof. For a field denotes the church, where truth is first implanted, and afterwards grows, and at last becomes united with doctrine; this is why the man alone had to die.

From these things it is also evident that virginity signifies undefiled affection for truth.

As in Leviticus 21:13; Deuteronomy 22:13-21; Ezekiel 23:3, 8.

  
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Translation by Isaiah Tansley. Many thanks to the Swedenborg Society for the permission to use this translation.

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