9917. 'And you shall make on its hem' means in the most external parts, where the natural is. This is clear from the meaning of 'the hem of the robe' as the most external parts, where the natural is; for in particular 'the robe' means Divine Truth in the spiritual kingdom in its inward form, and in general the spiritual kingdom, 9825, while 'the hem' that is underneath round about means its most external parts, the most external of the spiritual kingdom being things on the natural level. For forms of good and truths in the heavens follow one another in this order. In the highest or inmost parts they are celestial forms of good and truths; in the middle parts they are spiritual forms of good and truths; and in the lowest parts they are natural forms of good and truths. Regarding their following one another in this order in heaven and with the individual human being, see what has been stated just above in 9915. And since factual knowledge of truth and good exists in the external or natural man pomegranates were placed on the hem; for factual knowledge of good is meant by 'pomegranates'. Also in [among] the pomegranates there were bells of gold, and this was because such things as are derived from factual knowledge are meant by 'bells'.

[2] The fact that 'the hem of the robe' means the most external parts, where the natural is, is clear from places in the Word where 'the hem' is mentioned, as in Isaiah,

I saw the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up, and His hem filling the temple. Isaiah 6:1.

'The throne' on which the Lord was seated means heaven, and in particular the spiritual heaven, 5313, 8625. His 'hem' there means Divine Truths on lowest or most external levels, such as the truths of the Word in the sense of the letter are. Those truths are said 'to fill the temple' when they fill the Church. Something similar is meant by 'the hem filling the temple' as is meant by smoke and cloud filling the tabernacle and also the temple, referred to several times in the Word. For the meaning of 'smoke' in those places as Divine Truth on lowest levels, such as the sense of the letter of the Word is, see 8916, 8918, and for that also of 'cloud', 4060, 4391, 5922, 6343.

[3] The healing of the woman suffering from the flow of blood when she touched the hem of the Lord's garment, Matthew 9:20, 22, and in general the healing of as many as touched the hem of His garment, Matthew 14:36; Mark 6:56, was a sign that salvation went out from God as He is present on most external or lowest levels. For on the lowest levels of good and truth which spring from the Divine there is might and power, see 9836; and also on these levels answers are given, 9905. In Matthew,

Jesus said regarding the scribes and Pharisees that they do all their works to be seen by people, that they make their phylacteries broad, and enlarge the hems of their robes. Matthew 23:5.

Here it is plainly evident that 'the hem of the robe' means outward things which are clearly visible, and that 'enlarging it' means doing works on that level of things in order that they may be apparent or be seen.

[4] In Jeremiah,

Jerusalem sinned grievously; her uncleanness was in her hem. Lamentations 1:8-9.

'Uncleanness in the hem' stands for uncleanness in deeds and words, thus in things that are outermost. For outermost things derive their true nature from inner ones, and therefore when inner things are unclean, the outermost are also unclean, though no uncleanness is apparent to human eyes, because people regard only the outward form and so fail to see the inner things. But that uncleanness in inner things is apparent to angels' eyes; and furthermore it is uncovered with every one in the next life, because there external things are taken away. And this then shows what the true nature of someone's works has been.

[5] In Nahum,

I will uncover your hem upon your face, ¹ and I will show the nations your nakedness. Nahum 3:5.

'Uncovering the hem upon the face' means removing external things, in order that internal ones may be apparent. For external things, which belong to the natural man, in various ways conceal internal ones, which are varieties of hypocrisy, deceit, lying, hatred, vengeance, adultery, and other similar vices. When therefore the external things are taken away the internal ones in their uncleanness and foulness are apparent.

[6] In Jeremiah,

... if you say in your heart, Why have these things happened to me? On account of the greatness of your iniquity your hem has been revealed, your heels have been violated. ² I will lay bare your hem upon your face ¹ , that your shame, your adulterous acts, may be seen. Jeremiah 13:22, 26-27.

This refers to the abominations of Jerusalem. 'Revealing the hem' and 'laying it bare' stand for taking away external things that serve to veil and conceal, in order that more internal ones may be seen. For a person who is bad learns - for the sake of reputation, position, and gain - to make a pretence of being good, honest, and upright, when in fact he has various kinds of evil desires and false notions hidden away inside himself. Since 'the hem' means external things 'heels' too are spoken of, because the lowest parts of the natural are meant by 'heels', see 259, 4938-4952. From all this it is now clear that 'the hem of the robe' means forms of good and truths in the lowest or most external parts, which exist in the natural world.

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8625. 'And he said, Because [Amalek's] hand is against the throne of Jah' means because they wish to do violence to the Lord's spiritual kingdom. This is clear from the meaning of 'hand against someone' as doing violence; and from the meaning of 'the throne of Jah' as the Lord's spiritual kingdom. The reason why 'the throne of Jah' means the Lord's spiritual kingdom is that 'the throne' has reference to the Lord's kingship, and the Lord's spiritual kingdom corresponds to His kingship. There are two offices attributed to the Lord, which are those of priest and king. The celestial kingdom corresponds to His priesthood, and the spiritual kingdom to His kingship; for the Lord is called priest by virtue of His Divine Goodness, and He is called king by virtue of His Divine Truth. The name Christ holds the latter - Divine Truth - within it, and the name Jesus holds Divine Good, see 1728, 2015, 3004, 3009, 6148. 'The throne' has reference to the Lord's kingship, and therefore to His spiritual kingdom; and the same applies to 'Jah'. For what 'the throne' is, see 5313; and for what 'Jah' is, 8267.

As regards the specific thing meant here, that those represented by 'Amalek' - namely hellish genii steeped in falsity arising from interior evil - wish to do violence to the Lord's spiritual kingdom, this has been explained above in 8593, 8622. Those who were steeped in the falsity of this evil could not be kept away from those belonging to the spiritual Church, before the Lord came into the world and made Divine the Human within Him. When He did so they were shut up in hell, from where they cannot ever rise up; and also contact with that Church, effected through influx, was completely taken away. For in respect of the truth of faith a member of the spiritual Church is in obscurity; and he accepts it as the truth because the Church has said it is, not because he perceives it to be the truth. This truth as it resides with them becomes good and consequently composes their conscience. If wicked genii were to flow into that obscurity they would in a thousand ways destroy such conscience; for they go to work not on the truths of faith there but on the actual affections. Wherever they detect any degree of affection for good they instantly pervert it; they do this so secretively that it cannot at all be noticed. They attack the person's fundamental ends in view. In short, their wickedness defies description, though it may be compared to a deadly and imperceptible poison that penetrates right into the marrow of the bones. In the Lord's Divine mercy more will be said from experience about these genii at the ends of chapters. ¹

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