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เอเสเคียล 16

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1 พระวจนะของพระเยโฮวาห์มายังข้าพเจ้าอีกว่า

2 "บุตรแห่งมนุษย์เอ๋ย จงให้เยรูซาเล็มทราบถึงสิ่งที่น่าสะอิดสะเอียนของตัวเธอเอง

3 และกล่าวว่า องค์พระผู้เป็นเจ้าพระเจ้าตรัสอย่างนี้แก่เยรูซาเล็มว่า ดั้งเดิมและกำเนิดของเจ้าเป็นแผ่นดินของคนคานาอัน พ่อของเจ้าเป็นคนอาโมไรต์ และแม่ของเจ้าเป็นคนฮิตไทต์

4 พูดถึงกำเนิดของเจ้า ในวันที่เจ้าเกิดมานั้นเขามิได้ตัดสายสะดือ และเขาก็มิได้ใช้น้ำล้างชำระเจ้า มิได้เอาเกลือถู มิได้เอาผ้าพันเจ้าไว้

5 ไม่มีตาสักดวงหนึ่งสงสารเจ้า ที่จะเมตตาเจ้าและกระทำสิ่งเหล่านี้ให้เจ้า เจ้าถูกทอดทิ้งในพื้นทุ่ง เพราะในวันที่เจ้าเกิดนั้นเจ้าเป็นที่รังเกียจ

6 และเมื่อเราผ่านเจ้าไป เห็นเจ้าดิ้นกระแด่วๆอยู่ในกองโลหิตของเจ้า เราก็พูดกับเจ้าในกองโลหิตของเจ้าว่า `จงมีชีวิตอยู่' เออ เราก็พูดกับเจ้าในกองโลหิตของเจ้าว่า `จงมีชีวิตอยู่'

7 เราได้กระทำให้เจ้าทวีคูณเหมือนอย่างพืชในท้องนา เจ้าก็เติบโตและสูงขึ้นจนเป็นสาวเต็มตัว ถันของเจ้าก็ก่อรูปขึ้นมา และขนของเจ้าก็งอก ทั้งๆที่เจ้าเคยเปลือยเปล่าและล่อนจ้อน

8 และเมื่อเราผ่านเจ้าไปอีกครั้งหนึ่งและมองดูเจ้า ดูเถิด เจ้ามีอายุรู้จักรักแล้ว เราก็ขยายชายเสื้อคลุมเจ้าและปกคลุมความเปลือยเปล่าของเจ้าไว้ องค์พระผู้เป็นเจ้าพระเจ้าตรัสว่า เออ เราก็ปฏิญาณและกระทำพันธสัญญากับเจ้า และเจ้าก็เป็นของเรา

9 และเราก็เอาเจ้าอาบน้ำ ล้างโลหิตเสียจากเจ้า และเจิมเจ้าด้วยน้ำมัน

10 เราแต่งตัวเจ้าด้วยเสื้อปัก และเอารองเท้าหนังทาคัชสวมให้เจ้า เราพันเจ้าไว้ด้วยผ้าป่านเนื้อละเอียด และคลุมเจ้าไว้ด้วยผ้าไหม

11 เราแต่งตัวเจ้าด้วยเครื่องอาภรณ์ สวมกำไลมือให้เจ้า และสวมสร้อยคอให้เจ้า

12 เราเอาเพชรพลอยเม็ดหนึ่งใส่หน้าผากเจ้า และใส่ตุ้มหูที่หูของเจ้า และสวมมงกุฎงามไว้บนศีรษะของเจ้า

13 เราก็ประดับเจ้าด้วยทองคำและเงิน และเสื้อผ้าของเจ้าก็เป็นผ้าป่านเนื้อละเอียด ผ้าไหมและผ้าปัก เจ้ากินยอดแป้ง น้ำผึ้งและน้ำมัน เจ้างามเลิศทีเดียว และเจ้าเจริญขึ้นเป็นชั้นจ้าว

14 ชื่อเสียงของเจ้าก็ลือไปท่ามกลางประชาชาติเพราะความงามของเจ้า ด้วยความงามนั้นก็สมบูรณ์ทีเดียว เนื่องจากความสง่างามที่เราได้ทุ่มเทให้เจ้า องค์พระผู้เป็นเจ้าพระเจ้าตรัสดังนี้แหละ

15 แต่เจ้าวางใจในความงามของเจ้า และได้เล่นชู้เพราะชื่อเสียงของเจ้า ไม่ว่าผู้ใดจะผ่านมา เจ้าก็ให้หลงระเริงไปด้วยการเล่นชู้ของเจ้า

16 เจ้าเอาเสื้อผ้าของเจ้าบ้าง และเจ้าได้สร้างบรรดาปูชนียสถานสูง ประดับอย่างหรูหรา แล้วก็เล่นชู้อยู่บนนั้น ไม่เคยมีเหมือนอย่างนี้ ต่อไปก็ไม่มีเหมือน

17 เจ้ายังเอาเครื่องรูปพรรณอันงามของเจ้า ซึ่งเป็นทองคำของเราและเงินของเรา ซึ่งเราได้ให้แก่เจ้า แล้วเจ้าสร้างเป็นรูปผู้ชายสำหรับเจ้า และเจ้าก็เล่นชู้อยู่กับรูปเหล่านั้น

18 เจ้าเอาเครื่องแต่งตัวที่ปักไปห่มรูปเหล่านั้นไว้ และวางน้ำมันและเครื่องหอมของเราไว้ข้างหน้ามัน

19 อาหารที่เราให้แก่เจ้าก็เหมือนกัน คือเราเลี้ยงเจ้าด้วยยอดแป้ง น้ำมันและน้ำผึ้ง เจ้าก็เอามาวางข้างหน้ามัน ให้เป็นกลิ่นหอมที่พึงใจ และก็เป็นอย่างนั้น องค์พระผู้เป็นเจ้าพระเจ้าตรัสดังนี้แหละ

20 ยิ่งกว่านั้นอีก เจ้าได้นำบุตรชายของเจ้าและบุตรสาวของเจ้า ซึ่งเจ้าได้ให้บังเกิดมาเพื่อเรา และเจ้าก็ได้ถวายบูชาแก่มันเพื่อให้มันเผาผลาญ การเล่นชู้ของเจ้าเป็นสิ่งเล็กน้อยอยู่หรือ

21 เจ้าจึงได้ฆ่าลูกของเราถวายแก่รูปเหล่านั้นโดยให้ลุยไฟ

22 และในการอันน่าสะอิดสะเอียนของเจ้าและการเล่นชู้ของเจ้า เจ้ามิได้ระลึกถึงวันที่เจ้ายังเด็กอยู่เมื่อเจ้าเปลือยเปล่าและล่อนจ้อน และมัวหมองอยู่ในกองเลือดของเจ้า

23 ต่อมาภายหลังจากความชั่วร้ายทั้งสิ้นของเจ้า (องค์พระผู้เป็นเจ้าพระเจ้าตรัสว่า วิบัติ วิบัติแก่เจ้า)

24 เจ้าได้สร้างห้องหลังคาโค้งสำหรับตัว ถนนทุกสายเจ้าก็สร้างสถานที่สูงสำหรับตัว

25 หัวถนนทุกแห่งเจ้าสร้างที่สูงของเจ้า และเอาความงามของเจ้ามาทำลามก อ้าเท้าของเจ้าให้ผู้ที่ผ่านไปมาไม่ว่าใคร และทวีการเล่นชู้ของเจ้า

26 เจ้าได้เล่นชู้กับคนอียิปต์ ซึ่งเป็นเพื่อนบ้านที่มักมากของเจ้า ทวีการเล่นชู้ของเจ้าเพื่อกระทำให้เรากริ้ว

27 ดูเถิด เราจึงเหยียดมือของเราออกต่อสู้เจ้า และลดอาหารส่วนแบ่งของเจ้าลง และมอบเจ้าไว้ให้แก่พวกที่เกลียดเจ้าให้เขากระทำตามใจชอบ คือบรรดาบุตรสาวคนฟีลิสเตีย ผู้ซึ่งละอายในความประพฤติอันแก่กามของเจ้า

28 เจ้ายังเล่นชู้กับคนอัสซีเรียด้วย เพราะว่าเจ้าไม่รู้จักอิ่ม เออ เจ้าเล่นชู้กับเขาทั้งหลาย ถึงกระนั้นเจ้าก็ยังไม่อิ่มใจ

29 เจ้ายังทวีการเล่นชู้ของเจ้าในแผ่นดินคานาอันกับคนเคลเดีย ถึงแม้กับแผ่นดินนี้เจ้าก็ยังไม่อิ่มใจ

30 องค์พระผู้เป็นเจ้าพระเจ้าตรัสว่า แหมใจของเจ้าเป็นโรครักเสียจริงๆในเมื่อเจ้ากระทำสิ่งเหล่านี้ ซึ่งเป็นการกระทำของหญิงแพศยาไพร่ๆ

31 คือสร้างห้องหลังคาโค้งไว้ที่หัวถนนทุกแห่ง และสร้างสถานที่สูงของเจ้าไว้ตามถนนทุกสาย ถึงกระนั้นเจ้าก็ยังไม่เหมือนหญิงแพศยา เพราะเจ้าดูหมิ่นสินจ้าง

32 เป็นภรรยาที่แพศยาจัด ดูซิ ยอมรับรองแขกแปลกหน้าแทนที่จะรับรองสามี

33 ผู้ชายย่อมให้ของแก่หญิงแพศยาทุกคน แต่เจ้ากลับให้สิ่งของแก่คนรักทั้งหลายของเจ้าทุกคน ให้สินบนชักให้เขาเข้ามาจากทุกด้านเพื่อการเล่นชู้ของเจ้า

34 ฉะนั้น เจ้าจึงผิดกับหญิงอื่นในเรื่องการเล่นชู้ของเจ้า ไม่มีใครมาวิงวอนให้เล่นชู้และเจ้ากลับให้สินจ้าง ขณะเมื่อไม่มีผู้ใดให้สินจ้างแก่เจ้า เพราะฉะนั้นเจ้าจึงแตกต่างกัน

35 เหตุฉะนี้ อีแพศยาเอ๋ย จงฟังพระวจนะของพระเยโฮวาห์

36 องค์พระผู้เป็นเจ้าพระเจ้าตรัสดังนี้ว่า เพราะความโสโครกของเจ้าก็เทออกเสียแล้ว และการเปลือยเปล่าของเจ้าก็เผยออก โดยการเล่นชู้ของเจ้ากับคนรักของเจ้า และกับบรรดารูปเคารพซึ่งเป็นสิ่งที่น่าสะอิดสะเอียนของเจ้า และโดยโลหิตลูกของเจ้าที่เจ้าถวายให้แก่มัน

37 เพราะฉะนั้น ดูเถิด เราจะรวบรวมคนรักของเจ้าทั้งสิ้น ซึ่งเป็นผู้ที่เจ้าเพลิดเพลินด้วย ทุกคนที่เจ้ารัก และทุกคนที่เจ้าเกลียด เราจะรวบรวมเขาให้มาต่อสู้เจ้าจากทุกด้านและจะเผยความเปลือยเปล่าของเจ้าต่อหน้าเขา เพื่อเขาจะได้เห็นความเปลือยเปล่าทั้งสิ้นของเจ้า

38 และเราจะพิพากษาเจ้าดังที่เขาพิพากษาหญิงที่ล่วงประเวณี และกระทำให้โลหิตตก และเราจะนำเอาโลหิตแห่งความกริ้วและความหวงแหนมาเหนือเจ้า

39 และจะมอบเจ้าไว้ในมือชู้ของเจ้า เขาจะทำลายห้องหลังคาโค้งของเจ้าลง และจะทำลายสถานที่สูงของเจ้า เขาจะปลดเอาเสื้อผ้าของเจ้า และจะเอาเครื่องรูปพรรณอันงามของเจ้าไปเสีย ปล่อยให้เจ้าเปลือยเปล่าและล่อนจ้อน

40 เขาทั้งหลายจะนำฝูงคนมาต่อสู้เจ้า และเขาจะขว้างเจ้าด้วยก้อนหินและฟันเจ้าด้วยดาบของเขา

41 และเขาจะเอาไฟเผาบ้านเรือนของเจ้า และทำการพิพากษาลงโทษเจ้าท่ามกลางสายตาของผู้หญิงเป็นอันมาก เราจะกระทำให้เจ้าหยุดเล่นชู้ และเจ้าจะไม่ให้สินจ้างอีกต่อไป

42 เราจะระบายความกริ้วของเราใส่เจ้าให้หมด ความหวงแหนจะพรากจากเจ้าไป เราจะสงบและไม่กริ้วอีกเลย

43 เพราะว่าเจ้ามิได้ระลึกถึงวันเมื่อเจ้ายังเด็ก แต่ได้กระทำให้เรากลัดกลุ้มด้วยสิ่งเหล่านี้ทั้งสิ้น องค์พระผู้เป็นเจ้าพระเจ้าตรัสว่า เพราะฉะนั้น ดูเถิด เราจะตอบสนองต่อวิถีทางของเจ้าเหนือศีรษะเจ้า แล้วเจ้าจะมิได้ประพฤติการชั่วช้าลามกเพิ่มเข้ากับการอันน่าสะอิดสะเอียนทั้งสิ้นของเจ้าหรอก

44 ดูเถิด ทุกคนที่ใช้สุภาษิตจะใช้สุภาษิตต่อไปนี้ในเรื่องเจ้า คือ `แม่เป็นอย่างไร ลูกสาวก็เป็นอย่างนั้น'

45 เจ้าเป็นลูกสาวของแม่ของเจ้า ผู้เกลียดสามีและบุตรของตน เจ้าเป็นสาวคนกลางของพี่และน้องสาวของเจ้า ผู้เกลียดชังสามีและบุตรของตน แม่ของเจ้าเป็นคนฮิตไทต์ พ่อของเจ้าเป็นคนอาโมไรต์

46 และพี่สาวของเจ้าคือสะมาเรีย ผู้อยู่กับบุตรสาวเหนือเจ้าทางด้านซ้าย และน้องสาวของเจ้า ผู้อยู่ทางด้านขวาของเจ้า คือโสโดมกับลูกสาวของเธอ

47 ถึงกระนั้น เจ้าก็ไม่ได้ดำเนินตามทางทั้งหลายของเขา หรือกระทำตามการอันน่าสะอิดสะเอียนของเขา แต่เพราะว่านั่นเป็นเรื่องเล็กน้อยเกินไปแล้ว แล้วเจ้าก็ทรามกว่าพวกเขาในบรรดาวิถีทางของเจ้า

48 องค์พระผู้เป็นเจ้าพระเจ้าตรัสว่า เรามีชีวิตอยู่แน่ฉันใด โสโดมน้องสาวของเจ้ากับบุตรสาวของเขาก็มิได้กระทำอย่างที่เจ้าและลูกสาวของเจ้าได้กระทำ

49 ดูเถิด นี่แหละเป็นความชั่วช้าของโสโดมน้องสาวของเจ้าคือตัวเธอและลูกสาวของเธอมีความจองหอง มีอาหารเหลือรับประทานและมีความสบายเกิน ไม่ชูกำลังมือคนยากจนและคนขัดสน

50 เขาหยิ่งยโสและกระทำสิ่งน่าสะอิดสะเอียนต่อหน้าเรา เพราะฉะนั้นเราจึงเอาเขาออกไปเสียให้พ้นๆตามที่เราเห็นว่าดี

51 สะมาเรียไม่ได้ทำบาปถึงครึ่งของเจ้า แต่เจ้าได้ทวีการอันน่าสะอิดสะเอียนยิ่งกว่าเขาทั้งสอง และโดยการอันน่าสะอิดสะเอียนทั้งสิ้นที่เจ้าทำนั้น ก็กระทำให้พี่และน้องสาวของเจ้าดูเหมือนชอบธรรม

52 เจ้าผู้ซึ่งได้พิพากษาพี่และน้องสาวของเจ้า จงทนรับความอับอายขายหน้าของเจ้าเองด้วย เพราะบาปของเจ้าซึ่งเจ้าได้ทำนั้นน่าสะอิดสะเอียนยิ่งกว่าเขาไปอีก เขาจึงมีความชอบธรรมมากกว่าเจ้า เออ เจ้าจงฉงนสนเท่ห์ไปด้วย และจงทนรับความอับอายขายหน้าของเจ้า เพราะเจ้าได้กระทำให้พี่และน้องสาวของเจ้าดูเหมือนชอบธรรม

53 เมื่อเราจะให้เขากลับสู่สภาพเดิม ทั้งสภาพเดิมของโสโดมและบุตรสาวและสภาพเดิมของสะมาเรียและบุตรสาว เราก็จะให้เจ้ากลับสู่สภาพเดิมของเจ้าท่ามกลางเขาด้วย

54 เพื่อเจ้าจะทนรับความอับอายขายหน้าของเจ้า และละอายสิ่งที่เจ้ากระทำแล้วทั้งสิ้นให้เป็นการปลอบใจแก่เขา

55 เมื่อส่วนพี่และน้องสาวของเจ้า โสโดมกับบุตรสาวของเธอจะได้กลับสู่สภาวะเดิมของตน และสะมาเรียกับบุตรสาวของเธอจะกลับสู่สภาวะเดิมของตน ส่วนเจ้าและบุตรสาวของเจ้าจะกลับไปยังภาวะเดิมของเจ้า

56 ในสมัยที่เจ้าเย่อหยิ่งอยู่นั้น ปากของเจ้าไม่ได้กล่าวถึงโสโดมน้องสาวของเจ้ามิใช่หรือ

57 คือก่อนความชั่วร้ายของเจ้าจะได้เผยออก เหมือนเวลาที่เจ้าเป็นสิ่งที่น่าตำหนิแก่บุตรสาวของซีเรียและบรรดาผู้ที่อยู่ล้อมรอบเธอ คือบุตรสาวของฟีลิสเตียผู้ที่อยู่ล้อมรอบซึ่งดูหมิ่นเจ้า

58 เจ้าต้องรับโทษความชั่วช้าลามกของเจ้าและการอันน่าสะอิดสะเอียนของเจ้า พระเยโฮวาห์ตรัสดังนี้แหละ

59 เพราะองค์พระผู้เป็นเจ้าพระเจ้าตรัสดังนี้ว่า เราจะกระทำแก่เจ้าอย่างที่เจ้าได้กระทำแล้วนั้น ผู้ดูหมิ่นคำปฏิญาณและหักพันธสัญญา

60 ถึงกระนั้นเราจะระลึกถึงพันธสัญญาของเรา ซึ่งเราทำไว้กับเจ้าในสมัยเมื่อเจ้ายังสาวอยู่ และเราจะสถาปนาพันธสัญญานิรันดร์ไว้กับเจ้า

61 แล้วเจ้าจะระลึกถึงทางทั้งหลายของเจ้า และมีความละอาย เมื่อเจ้ารับทั้งพี่และน้องสาวของเจ้า และเรามอบให้แก่เจ้าเป็นบุตรสาว แต่ไม่ใช่ตามพันธสัญญาซึ่งทำไว้กับเจ้า

62 เราจะสถาปนาพันธสัญญาของเราไว้กับเจ้า และเจ้าจะทราบว่าเราคือพระเยโฮวาห์

63 เพื่อเจ้าจะจำได้และสนเท่ห์ และเพราะความละอายของเจ้า เจ้าจะไม่อ้าปากพูดอีก เมื่อเราลบมลทินบาปทุกสิ่งที่เจ้าได้กระทำมาแล้ว องค์พระผู้เป็นเจ้าพระเจ้าตรัสดังนี้"

   


Many thanks to Philip Pope for the permission to use his 2003 translation of the English King James Version Bible into Thai. Here's a link to the mission's website: www.thaipope.org

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Apocalypse Explained # 475

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475. And have washed their robes, signifies the removal of falsities by means of temptations. This is evident from the signification of "to wash," as being to purify from falsities and evils, consequently to remove them; for the evils and falsities that are with man, spirit, and angel, are not taken away, but are removed, and when they have been removed the appearance is that they have been taken away (respecting this see in The Doctrine of the New Jerusalem 166, 170) thence "to wash" signifies to remove falsities, and thus to purify. Also from the signification of "robes," as being protecting truths in general (of which above, n. 395; but "robes" here, before they have been washed and made white, signify falsities from which they have [not yet] been purified; for those who are in falsities from ignorance appear in the spiritual world at first in dusky garments of diverse colors, and while they are in temptations in filthy garments; but when they come out of temptations they appear in white robes, glistening according to their purification from falsities. Each one in the other life appears in garments according to the truths and according to the falsities that are with him; 1 this is why "garments" signify truths, and in the contrary sense falsities (See above, n. 195, 271). From this the signification of "they have washed their robes and have made them white" can be seen.

[2] In ancient times, when all the externals of the church were representative and significative of things spiritual and celestial, washings were made use of, and they represented purifications from falsities and evils; "washings" had this signification because "waters" signified truths, and "filth" falsities and evils, and all purification from falsities and evils is effected by truths (that "waters" signify truths see above, n. 71). This is why washings were instituted with the sons of Israel by command; for with them there was a representative church, all things of which were significative of things spiritual, and "washings" signified purifications from falsities and evils, and thence regeneration. For this purpose:

A laver of brass was placed at the entrance of the tent of meeting (Exodus 30:18-20);

Also lavers of brass were placed outside of the temple, one great laver which was called the sea of brass, and ten smaller ones (1 Kings 7:23-39).

[3] Because of this signification of "washings," when Aaron and his sons were consecrated to the priesthood:

Moses was commanded to wash them with water at the entrance of the tent, and thus to sanctify them (Exodus 29:4; 40:12; Leviticus 8:6);

for the priests represented the Lord in relation to Divine good, as kings represented Him in relation to Divine truth, consequently the priests represented also the Divine holiness which is pure without blemish. Aaron and his sons were inducted into this representation by the washing by Moses; therefore it is said that "thus they should be sanctified," although no sanctity was conferred upon them by the washing.

[4] It was therefore also commanded that:

Aaron and his sons should wash their hands and feet before entering into the tent of meeting, and before they came near to the altar to minister; and it is said that they were to do this that they die not; and that it should be to them a statute of an age (Exodus 30:18-21; 40:30, 31).

Also that Aaron should wash his flesh before he put on the garments of ministry (Leviticus 16:4, 24).

"Washing the hands and feet" signified the purification of the natural man, and "washing the flesh" the purification of the spiritual man. It was therefore commanded also:

That the Levites should be sanctified by being sprinkled with the water of expiation, and by causing a razor to pass over their flesh, and that they should wash their garments (Numbers 8:6, 7).

This was done to the Levites because they ministered in the external things of the church under Aaron and his sons, and the purification of the external things of the church was represented by the sprinkling of the water of expiation, by shaving the hairs of the flesh, and by washing the garments.

[5] Furthermore, all who were made unclean by touching unclean things also washed themselves and their garments, and were said to be made clean thereby, as:

Those who ate of the dead body of a clean beast, or of what was torn (Leviticus 17:15, 16).

One who touched the bed of one who had an issue, or sat upon the vessel that he sat on, or who touched his flesh (Leviticus 15:4-12).

It was also commanded that the leper, after his cleansing, should wash his garments, shave off his hair, and wash himself with water (Leviticus 14:8, 9).

Also that such vessels as had become unclean by the touch of the unclean, should be passed through water (Leviticus 11:32; besides other statutes).

He is much mistaken who supposes that those who washed their flesh or hands and feet, or garments, were cleansed and sanctified, that is, purified from their sins; for sins are not washed away or taken away by water as filth is, but they are washed away, that is, removed, by means of truths and a life according to them, and this alone was what was represented by the washings; for "waters" signify truths, and truths when there is life according to them, purify the man.

[6] That these external things contribute nothing to purification from evils and falsities, is clearly taught by the Lord in Matthew:

Woe unto you Scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye cleanse the outside of the cup and of the platter, but within they are full of extortion and excess. Thou blind Pharisee, cleanse first the inside of the cup and of the platter that the outside of them may become clean also (Matthew 23:25, 26).

Like things were taught by the Lord when the Jews and Pharisees rebuked His disciples for not washing their hands before eating, for He taught:

That by this a man is not rendered unclean, but by every evil that goeth forth from the heart (Matthew 15:1-2, 19-20; Mark 7:1-23; Luke 11:38, 39).

From this it can be seen that the Jews by their washings were never sanctified and cleansed from their spiritual defilements, which are the evils going forth from the heart, since these evils reside within; and in the world they have nothing in common with the filth that adheres to the body. It is said that "the inside of the cup and platter must be cleansed that the outside may become clean also;" for the outside with man cannot be cleansed until the inside is cleansed, for the outside is cleansed by means of the inside. "The cup and platter" signify the interiors and exteriors of man, which receive truth and good, for the cup is what contains wine, and the platter is what contains food, and "wine" signifies truth, and "food" has a similar signification as "bread," namely, good. This makes clear the signification in the spiritual sense of "cleanse first the inside of the cup and of the platter, that the outside may become clean also."

[7] What the Lord says here has a similar meaning as His washing the feet of the disciples, respecting which He thus said to Peter, in John:

He that hath bathed needeth not save to wash his feet, but is wholly clean (John 13:10).

"He that hath bathed" signifies one who is inwardly clean; and "needeth not save to wash his feet" signifies that then he must be cleansed outwardly, for "the feet" signify the external or natural man (See above, n. 69). More may be seen respecting this arcanum in The Doctrine of the New Jerusalem 179, 181; and in Arcana Coelestia, where the following are made clear: For a man to be purified, both the internal or spiritual and the external or natural must be purified, and the external by means of the internal, n. 3868, 3870, 3872, 3876, 3877, 3882. The internal man is purified before the external, because the internal is in the light of heaven, and the external in the light of the world, n. 3321, 3325, 3469, 3493, 4353, 8746, 9325. The external or natural man is purified by the Lord through the internal or spiritual, n. 3286, 3288, 3321. A man is not purified until the external or natural man is also purified, n. 8742-8747, 9043, 9046, 9061, 9325, 9334. If the natural man is not purified the spiritual man is closed up, n. 6299; and in respect to the truths and goods of faith and love, it is as it were blind, n. 3493, 3969). The internal man is purified by knowing, understanding, and thinking the truths of the Word, and the external man by willing and doing them. This makes clear how the Lord's words to Peter must be understood, "He that hath bathed needeth not save to wash his feet;" likewise how the Lord's words to the Pharisees must be understood, "cleanse first the inside of the cup and of the platter, that the outside may become clean also."

[8] That the internal man is purified by truths which are of faith, and the external by a life according to them, is meant also by these words of the Lord:

Except one be born of water and of the spirit he cannot enter into the kingdom of God (John 3:5).

"Water" signifying the truths of faith, and "spirit" a life according to them.

[9] From this it can now be seen what "washing" signifies in the following passages. In Ezekiel:

I washed thee with waters; yea, I rinsed away thy bloods from upon thee, and I anointed thee with oil (Ezekiel 16:9).

This was said of Jerusalem, by which the church is signified; its purification from falsities and from evils is signified by "I washed thee with waters; yea, I rinsed away thy bloods from upon thee," "to wash with waters" signifying to purify the church by truths, and "to rinse away the bloods" signifying purification from falsities and evils. To imbue the church with the good of love is signified by "I anointed thee with oil," "oil" meaning the good of love.

[10] In Isaiah:

When the Lord shall have washed away the filth of the daughters of Zion, and shall have washed away the bloods of Jerusalem out of the midst thereof, in the spirit of judgment, and in the spirit of cleansing (Isaiah 4:4).

"To wash away the filth of the daughters of Zion" signifies to purify the affections of those who are of a celestial church from the evils of love of self, "filth" meaning the evil of the love of self," "daughters" the affection, and "Zion" the church that is in love to the Lord, which is therefore called a celestial church; "to wash away the bloods of Jerusalem" signifies to purify the same affections from the falsities of evil, "bloods" meaning the falsities of evil; "in the spirit of judgment and in the spirit of cleansing" signifies by means of the understanding of truth and the affection of truth, "spirit" meaning the Divine truth proceeding from the Lord, "the spirit of judgment" the understanding of truth therefrom, and "the spirit of cleansing" the spiritual affection of truth, for that is what cleanses.

[11] In Job:

If I shall wash myself in waters of snow, and cleanse my hands with soap, yet wilt thou plunge me into the pit, and mine own garments shall abhor me (Job 9:30, 31).

This means that if one attempts to purify himself by his own efforts, although by means of truths and goods that are or that appear to be genuine, he will yet lead himself into falsities; "to wash oneself" means to purify oneself; "waters of snow" mean truths that are or that appear to be genuine; "soap" means the good from which they come, and "the pit" falsity. That from this come truths falsified is meant by "mine own garments shall abhor me;" "garments" meaning truths, which are said "to abhor one" when they are falsified, and this is done when man from self-intelligence speculates and draws conclusions.

[12] In Moses:

He washed his vesture in wine, and his covering in the blood of grapes (Genesis 49:11).

This is said of Judah, by whom is here meant the Lord in relation to Divine truth; that He altogether purified this in His Human, when He was in the world, is signified by "he washed his vesture in wine, and his covering in the blood of grapes," "vesture" and "covering" signifying His Human, and "wine" and "the blood of grapes" Divine truth. (This may be seen explained in Arcana Coelestia 6377, 6378.)

[13] That "to wash" signifies to purify from falsities and evils is clearly evident in Isaiah:

Wash you, make you pure; put away the evil of your doings from before Mine eyes; cease to do evil (Isaiah 1:16).

Because "to wash" signifies to put away falsities and evils, it is added, "put away the evil of your doings from before Mine eyes; cease to do evil."

[14] In Jeremiah:

Wash thine heart from wickedness, O Jerusalem, that thou mayest be saved. How long shall the thoughts of thine iniquity lodge in the midst of thee? (Jeremiah 4:14).

This has a similar signification. In David:

Wash me from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin. Thou shalt purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; Thou shalt wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow (Psalms 51:2, 7).

Here "to wash" plainly means to purify from falsities and evils, for it is said, "Wash me from iniquity, and cleanse me from sin," and afterwards, "Thou shalt wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow;" "to wash from iniquity" means from falsities, and "from sin" means from evils, for "iniquity" is predicated of falsities, and "sin" of evils; and because the water of expiation was prepared from hyssop, it is said, "Thou shalt purge me with hyssop and I shall be clean. "

[15] In Jeremiah:

Although thou shalt wash thee with niter and take thee 2 much soap, thine iniquity shall still retain its spots before Me (Jeremiah 2:22).

Here, too, it is clear that washings only represented and thence signified spiritual washings, which are purifications from falsities and evils, for it is said, "Although thou shalt wash thee with niter, and take thee much soap, thine iniquity shall still retain its spots."

[16] Thus also in David:

In vain have I cleansed my heart, and washed my hands in innocence. All the day have I been plagued, and in the mornings was my reproof (Psalms 73:13, 14).

"To wash the hands in innocence" means to bear witness that one is innocent and pure from evils and falsities; for washing the hands was a testification of innocence; as can be seen also from the fact that:

Pilate washed his hands and said, I am innocent of the blood of this righteous person (Matthew 27:24).

[17] Because "washings" signified purifications from falsities and evils, and "one blind" signified those who do not see truths, and are therefore in falsities:

The Lord told the blind man whose eyes He anointed with clay made with spittle, to wash himself in the pool of Siloam, and when he had washed himself he came seeing (John 9:6, 7, 11, 15).

The "blind man" here represented those who can see nothing of truth because they are sensual, and see only those things that appear before the external senses, from which come fallacies instead of truths, and to the confirmation of these they apply the sense of the letter of the Word; "the clay made of spittle" signifies sensual truth, such as the Word contains for such persons; "the waters of the lake or pool of Siloam" signify the truths of the Word, for all things, even to the waters in Jerusalem were significative; and "to wash" signifies to purify from fallacies, which in themselves are falsities. From this it can be seen what these things signify in series; for all the miracles and works of the Lord when He was in the world signified Divine celestial and Divine spiritual things, that is, such things as pertain to heaven and the church, and this because they were Divine, and the Divine always operates in ultimates from first things, and thus in fullness; ultimates are such as appear before the eyes in the world. This is why the Lord spoke and the Word was written by means of such things in nature as correspond.

[18] It is similar with the miracle performed on Naaman the leper by command of Elisha, which is thus described in the second book of Kings:

Naaman of Syria, being affected with leprosy, was commanded by a messenger from Elisha to wash himself seven times in the Jordan, and his flesh would come again and he would be clean. At length Naaman went down, and dipped himself seven times in Jordan; and his flesh came again like unto the flesh of a little lad, and he was clean (2 Kings 5:10, 14).

"Naaman a leper of Syria" represented and signified those who falsify the knowledges of truth and good from the Word, for "leprosy" signifies falsifications, and "Syria" the knowledges of truth and good. "The waters of Jordan" signified the truths that introduce into the church, which are the knowledges of truth and good from the Word, for the river Jordan was the first boundary across which the land of Canaan was entered, and "the land of Canaan" signified the church; this is why "the waters of Jordan" signified introductory truths, which are the first knowledges of truth and good from the Word. Because of this signification of "the waters of Jordan," Naaman was commanded to wash himself in them seven times, which signified purification from falsified truths; "seven times" signifies fully, and is predicated of things holy, such as truths Divine are. Because "seven times" has this signification, it is said that "his flesh came again like unto the flesh of a little lad," the flesh coming again signifying spiritual life, such as those have who are regenerated through Divine truths.

[19] Because "the waters of Jordan" signified the truths that introduce into the church, which are the knowledges of truth and good from the Word, and "washing" therein signified purification from falsities, and consequent reformation and regeneration by the Lord, therefore baptism was instituted, which was first performed in Jordan by John (Matthew 3:11-16; Mark 1:4-13). This rite signified initiation into the knowledges from the Word respecting the Lord, His coming, and salvation by Him; and as man is reformed and regenerated by the Lord by means of truths from the Word, baptism was commanded by the Lord (Matthew 28:19); for it is by means of truths from the Word that man is reformed and regenerated, and it is the Lord who reforms and regenerates. (Respecting this more may be seen in The Doctrine of the New Jerusalem 202-209.)

[20] It was said by John:

That he baptized with water; but that the Lord would baptize with the Holy Spirit and with fire (Luke 3:16; John 1:33).

This means that John only inaugurated them into knowledges from the Word respecting the Lord, and thus prepared them to receive Him, but that the Lord Himself regenerates man by means of Divine truth and Divine good proceeding from Him; for John represented the like as Elijah, namely, the Word; "the waters" with which John baptized signified introductory truths, which are knowledges from the Word respecting the Lord; "the Holy Spirit" signifies Divine truth proceeding from the Lord; and "fire" signifies Divine good proceeding from Him; and "baptism" signifies regeneration by the Lord by means of Divine truths from the Word.

[21] Washings were instituted in the ancient churches, and afterwards baptisms in their place, which nevertheless are only representative and significative rites, in order that heaven might be conjoined with the human race, and in particular with the man of the church; for heaven is conjoined to man when man is in ultimates, that is, in such things as are in the world in regard to his natural man, while he is in such things as are in heaven in regard to his spiritual man; in no other way is conjunction possible. This is why baptism was instituted; also the holy supper; likewise why the Word was written by means of such things as are in the world, while there is in it a spiritual sense, containing such things as are in heaven, that is, that the sense of the letter of the Word is natural, while in it there is a spiritual sense. (That by means of this sense the Word conjoins the angels of heaven with the men of the church, may be seen in the work on Heaven and Hell 303-310; and in the small work on The White Horse from beginning to end. That the holy supper likewise conjoins, see in The Doctrine of the New Jerusalem 210-222, and the same is true of baptism.) But he is much mistaken who believes that baptism contributes anything to a man's salvation unless he is at the same time in the truths of the church and in a life according to them; for baptism is an external thing, which without an internal contributes nothing to salvation, but it does contribute when the external is conjoined to an internal. The internal of baptism is, that by means of truths from the Word and a life according to them, falsities and evils may be removed by the Lord, and thus man be regenerated, as the Lord teaches (Matthew 23:26, 27), as explained above in this article.

Poznámky pod čarou:

1. The photolithograph has "them."

2. The photolithograph has "he take thee."

  
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Thanks to the Swedenborg Foundation for their permission to use this translation.

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Apocalypse Explained # 395

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395. Verse 11. And white robes were given to every one of them, signifies Divine truth from the Lord with them, and protection. This is evident from the signification of "a white robe" as being Divine truth from the Lord, for "robe" signifies truth in general, because it is a general covering; and "white" is predicated of truths which are from the Lord; for whiteness pertains to light, and the light proceeding from the Lord as a sun is in its essence Divine truth. That "white robes were given to everyone of them" signifies also protection, will be told further on; but let it first be told why "a white robe" signifies Divine truth from the Lord. All spirits and angels are clothed according to their intelligence, or according to their reception of truth in the life, this constituting intelligence; for the light of their intelligence is formed into garments, and when these are thus formed they do not merely appear as garments, but they also are garments. For all things that exist in the spiritual world, and appear before the eyes of those there, exist from the light and heat that proceed from the Lord as a sun; from that origin have been created and formed not only all things in the spiritual world, but also all things in the natural world; for the natural world exists and subsists by means of the spiritual world from the Lord. From this it can be seen that the appearances that exist in heaven before the angels are altogether real; in like manner also the garments. As spirits and angels are clothed according to intelligence, and all intelligence is of truth, and angelic intelligence is of Divine truth, so they are clothed according to truths; this is why "garments" signify truths; "the garments" that are next to the body, that is, the inner garments, signify interior truths; but the garments that are outside of these and encompass them, signify exterior truths; therefore "a robe," "a mantle," and "a cloak," which are general coverings, signify truths in general, and "a white robe" Divine truth in general, which they have from the Lord. (But see what has been shown respecting The Garments with which Angels are Clothed, in the work on Heaven and Hell 177-182; and what has been said above about the signification of garments, n. 64-65, 195, 271.)

[2] "There were given to those who were under the altar white robes" signifies also protection by the Lord, because "the white robes" given to them represented the presence about them of the Lord with Divine truth; and by means of Divine truth the Lord protects His own, for He surrounds them with a sphere of light, from which they have white robes; and when encompassed by this sphere they can no longer be infested by evil spirits; for, as said above, they were infested by evil spirits, and were therefore hidden by the Lord. This also takes place with those who are elevated by the Lord into heaven. They are then clothed with white garments, which is an indication that they are in Divine truth, and thus in safety. But respecting those who were clothed in white robes more will be shown in the explanation of the following chapter (Revelation 7:9, 13-17).

[3] That "robe," "mantle," and "cloak" signify Divine truth in general can be seen also from the following passages. In Zechariah:

The prophets shall be ashamed every man of his vision which he hath prophesied; neither shall they wear a mantle of hair to dissemble (Zechariah 13:4).

"Prophets" signify those who teach truths from the Word, and in an abstract sense, the truths of doctrine from the Word; and because of this signification of "prophets" they were clothed with a mantle of hair, "the mantle of hair" signifying Divine truth in ultimates, which is Divine truth in general, for the ultimate contains all things interior; "hair," too, signifies the ultimate. This is why:

Elijah, from his mantle, was called a hairy man (2 Kings 1:7-8);

And John the Baptist, who was as Elijah by reason of a like representation, had a garment of camel's hair (Matthew 3:4).

This makes clear the signification of "the prophets shall not wear a mantle of hair to dissemble," namely, that they shall not declare truths to be falsities, and falsities to be truths; this is what is signified by "dissembling."

[4] Because Elijah represented the Lord in relation to the Word, which is the doctrine of truth itself, and Elisha continued the representation, and because "mantle" signified Divine truth in general, which is the Word in ultimates, so the mantle divided the waters of Jordan, according to the following in the books of the Kings:

When Elijah found Elisha he cast his mantle upon him (1 Kings 19:19).

Elijah took his mantle, and wrapped it together, and smote the waters of Jordan, and they were divided hither and thither, and they two passed over on the dry ground (2 Kings 2:8).

Elisha seeing when Elijah was carried up by a whirlwind into heaven, took up the mantle of Elijah that fell from him, and went back, and stood by the bank of Jordan; and he took that mantle and smote the waters; and they were divided hither and thither, and he passed over (2 Kings 2:12-14).

"Elijah's casting his mantle upon Elisha" signified the transference to Elisha of the representation of the Lord in relation to the Word; and that "the mantle fell from Elijah when he was taken away, and was taken up by Elisha," signified that this representation was then transferred to Elisha, for Elijah and Elisha represented the Lord in relation to the Word, and they were clothed according to what they represented, "the mantle" signifying the Word in which is Divine truth in general, or Divine truth in the whole complex. "The dividing of the waters of Jordan by Elijah's mantle," first by Elijah and afterwards by Elisha, signified the power of Divine truth in ultimates; "the waters of Jordan" signifying, moreover, the first truths through which there is introduction into the church, and these first truths are such as are in the ultimates of the Word. From this, too, it can be seen that "a mantle" and "a robe" signify Divine truth in general. (That "Elijah" represented the Lord in relation to the Word, so, too, "Elisha," see Arcana Coelestia 2762, 5247. That the ultimate contains the interior things, and thus signifies all things in general, n. 634, 6239, 6465, 9215, 9216, 9828; that thus strength and power are in ultimates, n. 9836; that "Jordan" signifies the entrance into the church, and thus "the waters of Jordan" signify the first truths through which there is entrance, n. 1585, 4255; and that "waters" mean truths, see above, n. 71.) First truths are also ultimate truths, such as are in the sense of the letter of the Word, for through these entrance is effected, for these are first learned, and in them are all interior things which constitute the internal sense of the Word.

[5] One who does not know what "robe" or "mantle" signifies, does not know what "cloak" signifies, for a cloak, as well as a mantle, was a general garment, encompassing the tunic or inner garment, therefore it has a like signification. Neither does he know what was signified by Saul's rending the skirt of Samuel's cloak; by David's cutting off the skirt of Saul's cloak; by Jonathan's giving David his cloak and garments; and by kings' daughters being arrayed in cloaks of various colors; neither does he know the meaning of many other passages in which cloaks are mentioned in the Word. Of Saul's rending the skirt of Samuel's cloak, we read:

Samuel turned to go away, but he laid hold upon the skirt of his cloak and it was rent. And Samuel said, Jehovah hath rent the kingdom of Israel from thee this day, and hath given it to thy companion, who is better than thou (1 Samuel 15:27-28).

The words of Samuel make clear that "the rending of the skirt of the cloak" signified the rending of the kingdom from Saul, for he said after it was done, "Jehovah hath rent the kingdom of Israel from thee this day," "a king" and "his kingdom" signifying the Divine truth of the church, and "the skirt of a cloak" signifying Divine truth in ultimates, that is, all Divine truth in general; for the kings that were over the sons of Israel represented the Lord in relation to Divine truth, and their kingdom signified the church in relation to Divine truth; therefore this historical fact signifies that king Saul was such that he could no longer represent the Lord, and that the representation of the church would perish if the kingdom were not rent from him. (That "kings" represented the Lord in relation to Divine truth, and thus "a kingdom" signified the church in relation to Divine truth, see above, n. 29, 31.)

[6] The same is signified by David's cutting off the skirt of Saul's cloak, of which we read:

David entered into the cave where Saul was, and cut off the skirt of his cloak, and when he afterwards showed it to Saul, Saul said, Now I know that thou shalt reign, and the kingdom of Israel shall be established in thy hand (1 Samuel 24:3-5, 11, 20).

This was done by David of Divine Providence, that the like might be represented as above, "the skirt of the cloak," and "King Saul and his kingdom," having the like meaning as above.

[7] That Jonathan the son of Saul stripped himself of his cloak and his garments, and gave them to David, of which we read as follows, has a like signification:

Jonathan stripped off the cloak that was upon him, and gave it to David, and his garments, and even his sword and his bow and even to his girdle (1 Samuel 18:4).

This signified that Jonathan, the heir of the kingdom, transferred all his right to David; for all the things that Jonathan gave to David were representative of the kingdom, that is, of the Divine truth of the church, which Saul represented; for as was said above, all the kings who were over the sons of Israel represented the Lord in relation to Divine truth, and their kingdom represented the church in relation to Divine truth.

[8] Because "cloaks" and "robes" signify Divine truth in general:

The king's daughters that were virgins were clad in robes of diverse colors (2 Samuel 13:18).

"The king's daughters that were virgins" signified the affections of truth, and thus the church, as can be seen from a thousand passages in the Word in which "the king's daughter," "the daughter of Zion," "the daughter of Jerusalem," also "the virgin of Zion," and "the virgin of Jerusalem" are mentioned; therefore "the king's daughters" represented also the truths of that affection by their garments, and in general by their robes, which, were therefore, variegated with diverse colors. So also truths from good, or truths from affection, are represented by the garments of the virgins in heaven; which truths are more fully described by:

The garments of the king's daughter (Psalms 45:9-10, 13-14).

[9] As mourning in the Ancient Churches signified spiritual mourning, which is from the deprivation of truth, they represented this in their mourning, then by rending their mantles or cloaks, as is evident in Job:

When Job had lost all things, then he arose, rent his mantle, and said, Naked came I out of my mother's womb, and naked shall I return (Job 1:20-21).

Job's three friends, when they saw him, wept and rent their cloaks (Job 2:12).

(That "rending the garments" was a representative of mourning because of truth injured or destroyed, see Arcana Coelestia 4763.) And again in Ezekiel:

All the princes of the sea shall come down from their thrones, and shall put away their cloaks and strip off their broidered garments; they shall be clothed with terrors; they shall sit upon the earth (Ezekiel 26:16).

This is said of Tyre, which signifies the church in respect to the knowledges of truth and good, here the church where these are destroyed. That there are no longer any truths through which there can be a church, is signified by "all the princes of the sea shall come down from their thrones;" "the princes of the sea" meaning true primary knowledges [scientifica]; "to come down from thrones" signifying that these have been destroyed, and consequently that there is no intelligence. The like is signified by "they shall cast away their cloaks and strip off their broidered garments," "cloaks" meaning truths in general, and "broidered garments" the knowledges of truth; the consequent damnation is signified by "they shall be clothed with terrors; they shall sit upon the earth."

[10] In Micah:

My people have set up an enemy for themselves for the sake of a garment; ye strip off the mantle from them that pass by securely, returning from war (Micah 2:8).

These words do not mean that "the sons of Israel have set up an enemy for the sake of a garment, and have stripped off the mantle from those that pass by securely;" but they mean that they held as enemies those who spoke truths, and deprived of all truth those who had lived well and had shaken off falsities, "garment" meaning truth, "mantle" all truth because it means truth in general; "to pass by securely" means to live well; "men returning from war" mean those who have shaken off falsities, "war" meaning the combat of truth against falsity. Who cannot see that this is the spiritual meaning of the Word; and not that the people of Israel held some one as an enemy for the sake of a garment, or stripped off the mantle from those who passed by?

[11] In Matthew:

The scribes and Pharisees do all their works that they may be seen of men, and make broad their phylacteries, and enlarge the borders of their robes (Matthew 23:5).

This the scribes and Pharisees did, but it also represented and signified that they talked about, and applied to life and to their traditions many things from the ultimates of the Word, in order that they might appear holy and learned. "Their phylacteries which they make broad," signify goods in outward form, for "phylacteries" were worn upon the hands, and "hands" signify deeds, because these are done by the hands; "the borders of their robes which they enlarge," signify external truths; external truths are those that are in the ultimate sense of the letter; "robes" mean truths in general, and "borders" their ultimates. (That "borders of robes" signify such truths, see Arcana Coelestia 9917.)

[12] In Isaiah:

I will rejoice in Jehovah, my soul shall exult in my God; for He hath clothed me with the garments of salvation; He hath covered me with the robe of righteousness (Isaiah 61:10).

"To rejoice in Jehovah" signifies to rejoice in Divine good; "to exult in God" signifies to exult in Divine truth; for the Lord is called "Jehovah" from Divine good, and "God" from Divine truth, and from these is all spiritual joy. "To clothe with the garments of salvation" signifies to instruct and to gift with truths; and "to cover with the robe of righteousness" signifies to fill with every truth from good, "robe" meaning all truth, because it means truth in general, and "righteousness" is predicated of good.

[13] In the same:

He put on the garments of vengeance, and covered Himself with zeal as with a robe (Isaiah 59:17).

This is said of the Lord and of His combat with the hells; for when He was in the world He reduced all things in the hells and in the heavens to order, and this by Divine truth from Divine love. "Garments of vengeance" signify the truths by which, and "zeal as a robe" the Divine love from which this was done; "robe" is mentioned to signify that it was done through Divine truths from Divine love. (But what "the robe of the ephod" signifies, in which Aaron was arrayed, and upon the borders of which were pomegranates and bells, of which in Exodus 28:31-35 and Leviticus 8:7, see Arcana Coelestia 9910-9928).

  
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Thanks to the Swedenborg Foundation for their permission to use this translation.