770. That by Noah’s “wife” is signified the church itself, and by the “three wives of his sons with them” the churches themselves that were derived from that church, is evident from what has been said before, namely, that when the man of the church is named, the all of the church is meant, or, as it is termed, the head of the church; and then his “wife” is the church itself, as shown before (n. 252, 253). It is otherwise when “man and wife” or “male and female” are named in the Word, for then by “man” and “male” are signified the things of the understanding, or the truths of faith; and by “wife” and “female” the things of the will, or the goods of faith.

253. It is by virtue of a heavenly and angelic Own that the church is called a “woman” and also a “wife” a “bride” a “virgin” and a “daughter.” She is called a “woman” in the Revelation:

A woman clothed with the sun, and the moon under her feet, and upon her head a crown of twelve stars. And the dragon persecuted the woman who brought forth the man child (Revelation 12:1, 4-5, 13). In this passage by a “woman” is meant the church; by the “sun” love; by the “moon” faith; by “stars” as before, the truths of faith, all of which evil spirits hate, and persecute to the utmost. The church is called a “woman” and also a “wife” in Isaiah:

Thy Maker is thy Husband, Jehovah of Armies is His name, and thy Redeemer the Holy One of Israel, the God of the whole earth is He called; for as a woman forsaken and afflicted in spirit hath Jehovah called thee, and as a wife of youth [adolescentiarum] (Isaiah 54:5-6), where the “Maker” is called also the “husband” because united to the Own; and a “woman afflicted” and a “wife of youth” signify specifically the Ancient and Most Ancient Churches. Likewise in Malachi:

Jehovah hath borne witness between thee and the wife of thy youth [adolescentiarum] (Malachi 2:14).

She is called a “wife” and a “bride” in the Revelation:

I saw the holy city New Jerusalem coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband: come hither, I will show thee the bride, the Lamb’s wife (Revelation 21:2, 9).

The church is called a “virgin” and a “daughter” throughout the Prophets.