9340. And I will set thy border from the sea Suph, and even unto the sea of the Philistines. That this signifies extension from memory-truths to the interior truths of faith, is evident from the signification of “setting a border” from one place to another, when said of spiritual truths, as being extension; from the signification of “the sea Suph,” as being sensuous and memory-truths, which are the ultimates with man, for the sea Suph was the ultimate border of the land of Egypt, and by “Egypt” is signified memory-knowledge in both senses, true and false (see n. 1164, 1165, 1186, 1462, 2588, 4749, 4964, 4966, 5700, 6004, 6015, 6125, 6651, 6679, 6683, 6692, 6750, 7779, 7926, 8146, 8148), here memory-truth, because the subject treated of is the extension of the spiritual things of faith with the sons of Israel, by whom was represented the spiritual church (see n. 4286, 4598, 6426, 6637, 6862, 6868, 7035, 7062, 7198, 7201, 7215, 7223, 8805); and from the signification of “the sea of the Philistines,” as being the interior truths of faith. The reason why these truths are signified by “the sea of the Philistines” is that the sea where Tyre and Zidon were situated was the border of the land of Philistia, and by “Tyre and Zidon” are signified the knowledges of truth and good (n. 1201); and by “the land of Philistia” the knowledge of the interior things of faith (n. 1197, 2504, 2726, 3463).

[2] As the land of Canaan represented the Lord’s kingdom, thus heaven and the church, therefore all the places therein signified such things as are of the Lord’s kingdom, that is, of heaven and the church, which are called celestial and spiritual things, and bear relation to the good of love to the Lord and to the truths of faith in Him. Consequently the seas and rivers which were the borders signified the ultimate things therein; and accordingly “from sea to sea” and “from river to river” signified their extension. (That this is so, see n. 1585, 1866, 4116, 4240, 6516.) From this it can be seen that by “the border from the sea Suph and even unto the sea of the Philistines” is signified the extension of the spiritual things of truth from external things to internal, thus from memory-truths to the interior truths of faith. But the extension of celestial things, which are of the good of love, is described immediately after by “from the wilderness even unto the river.” (That the places of the land of Canaan, and also the seas and rivers, have such a signification in the Word, has been shown throughout in the explications.)

[3] It shall be briefly stated what is meant by “extension from memory-truths to the interior truths of faith.” Truths in the external man are called “memory-truths;” and truths in the internal man are called “interior truths of faith.” Memory-truths are in man’s memory, and when they are drawn out from it, they come to his notice. But the interior truths of faith are the truths of the very life, inscribed on the internal man, and of which but little appears in the memory; but on this subject, of the Lord’s Divine mercy, a fuller statement shall be made elsewhere. Memory-truths and the interior truths of faith were signified by “the waters under the expanse, and the waters above the expanse” (Genesis 1:6-7; n. 24), for the subject treated of in the first chapter of Genesis in the internal sense is the new creation, that is, the regeneration, of the man of the celestial church.

[4] The reason why “Philistia,” which bordered on the land of Canaan even unto Tyre and Zidon, signified the interior truths of faith, was that the representative Ancient Church had been there, as is evident from the remains of Divine worship among its inhabitants, and referred to in the historic and prophetic books of the Word that treat of the Philistines and the land of Philistia; as in the prophecies of Jeremiah 25:20; 47:1-7 ekiel 16:27, 57; 25:15-16; Amos 1:8; Zephaniah 2:5; Zechariah 9:6; and Psalm 56, title; 60:8 83:7; 108:9. The case with the Philistines was the same as with all the nations in the land of Canaan, in that they represented the goods and truths of the church, and also evils and falsities. For while the representative Ancient Church was among them, they represented the celestial things which are of good and the spiritual things which are of truth; but when they turned aside from genuine representative worship, they then began to represent the diabolical things which are of evil and the infernal things which are of falsity. Hence it is that by “Philistia,” as by the other nations of the land of Canaan, are signified in the Word both goods and truths, and evils and falsities.

[5] That by the “Philistines” are signified the interior truths of faith, is evident in David:

Glorious things shall be preached in thee, O city of God. I will make mention of Rahab and Babylon among those who know Me; and also of Philistia and Tyre, with Ethiopia; this man was born there (Psalms 87:3-4).

The “city of God” denotes the doctrine of the truth of faith from the Word (n. 402, 2268, 2449, 2712, 2943, 3216, 4492, 4493, 5297); “Tyre,” the knowledges of truth and good (n. 1201); in like manner “Ethiopia” (n. 116, 117). From this it is evident that “Philistia” denotes the knowledge of the truths of faith.

[6] In Amos:

Are ye not as the sons of the Ethiopians unto Me, O sons of Israel? Have not I made Israel to come up out of the land of Egypt, and the Philistines from Caphtor, and the Syrians from Kir? (Amos 9:7).

The perversion and destruction of the church after it had been set up is here treated of; “the sons of the Ethiopians” here denote those who are in the knowledges of good and truth, but who apply them to confirm evils and falsities (n. 1163, 1164); “the sons of Israel out of the land of Egypt” denote those who have been initiated into spiritual truths and goods by means of memory-truths. (That “the sons of Israel” denote those who are in spiritual truths and good, thus in the abstract sense spiritual truths and goods, see n. 5414, 5801, 5803, 5806, 5812, 5817, 5819, 5826, 5833, 5879, 5951, 7957, 8234; and that “the land of Egypt” denotes memory-truth, has been shown above.) The like is signified by “the Philistines from Caphtor,” and by “the Syrians from Kir,” to whom they are therefore likened. “The Philistines from Caphtor” denote those who have been initiated into interior truths by means of exterior, but who have perverted them and applied them to confirm falsities and evils (n. 1197, 1198, 3412, 3413, 3762, 8093, 8096, 8099, 8313); and “the Syrians from Kir” denote those who are in the knowledges of good and truth, which also they have perverted (n. 1232, 1234, 3051, 3249, 3664, 3680, 4112).

[7] In Jeremiah:

Because of the day that cometh to lay waste all the Philistines, to cut off from Tyre and Zidon all the residue that helpeth; for Jehovah layeth waste the Philistines, the remains of the isle of Caphtor (Jeremiah 47:4);

in this chapter the subject treated of is the vastation of the church in respect to the truths of faith; the interior truths of faith are “the Philistines;” and the exterior truths are “the remains of the isle of Caphtor.”

[8] In Joel:

What have you to do with Me, O Tyre, and Zidon, and all the borders of Philistia? Speedily will I return your retribution on your head, forasmuch as ye have taken My silver and My gold, and have carried into your temples My desirable good things (Joel 3:4, (Joel 3:6));

“all the borders of Philistia” denote all the interior and exterior truths of faith; “to carry silver and gold and desirable good things into their temples” denotes to pervert truths and goods, and profane them by application to evils and falsities. (That “silver and gold” denote truths and goods, see n. 1551, 2954, 5658, 6112, 6914, 6917, 8932)

[9] In Obadiah:

Then they of the South shall be heirs of the mount of Esau, and of the plain of the Philistines; and they shall become heirs of the field of Ephraim; but Benjamin, of Gilead (Obad. 1:19).

The setting up of the church is here treated of; but real things are infolded in the names; “they of the South” denote those who are in the light of truth (n. 1458, 3195, 3708, 5672, 5962); “the mount of Esau” denotes the good of love (n. 3300, 3322, 3494, 3504, 3576); “the plain of the Philistines” denotes the truth of faith; “a plain” also denotes the doctrine of faith (n. 2418); “Ephraim” denotes the intellectual of the church (n. 3969, 5354, 6222, 6234, 6238, 6267); “Benjamin,” the spiritual celestial truth of the church (n. 3969, 4592, 5686, 5689, 6440); and “Gilead,” the corresponding exterior good (n. 4117, 4124, 4747).

[10] In Isaiah:

He shall assemble the outcasts of Israel, and gather together the dispersed of Judah from the four wings of the earth. They shall fly upon the shoulder of the Philistines toward the sea; together shall they spoil the sons of the east (Isaiah 11:12, 14);

here by “Israel” and “Judah” are not meant Israel and Judah, but by “Israel” those who are in the good of faith, and by “Judah” those who are in the good of love; “to fly upon the shoulder of the Philistines” denotes to receive and take into possession the interior truths of faith; “to spoil the sons of the east” denotes to receive and take into possession the interior goods of faith; for “the sons of the east” denote those who are in the goods of faith, and in the knowledges of good (n. 3249, 3762). That “to spoil” denotes to receive and take into possession, may be seen from what has been already shown concerning the spoiling of the Egyptians by the sons of Israel (n. 6914, 6917).

[11] As by “the land of Philistia” was signified the knowledge of the interior truths of faith, and by Abraham and Isaac was represented the Lord, and by their sojourning the instruction of the Lord in the truths and goods of faith and of love, which are of Divine wisdom, therefore for the sake of prefiguring this process, Abraham was bidden to sojourn in Philistia (see Genesis 20), and also Isaac (Genesis 26:1-24); and accordingly Abimelech, king of the Philistines, made a covenant with Abraham (Genesis 21:22, to the end), and also with Isaac (Genesis 26:26, to the end); on which subject may be seen the explications given at these chapters.

1675. The Horites in their Mount Seir. That this signifies the persuasions of falsity that are from the love of self, is evident from the signification of “the Horites,” and from the signification of “Seir.” As regards the Horites, they were those who dwelt in Mount Seir, as is evident (Genesis 36:8) f (Genesis 36:20) rom Genesis 36:8, 20, etc., where Esau is spoken of, who is called Edom. By “Esau” or “Edom,” in the genuine sense, is signified the Lord as to His Human Essence; and He is also represented by Esau or Edom, as may be seen from many passages of the Word both historical and prophetical; concerning which, of the Lord’s Divine mercy hereafter. And as they who are in persuasions of falsity were represented by the Horites, and as at that time representatives came forth into actual realization, therefore the driving out of the Horites from Mount Seir by the descendants of Esau had a similar representation.

[2] Of this it is said in Moses:

That also is accounted a land of Rephaim; Rephaim dwelt therein aforetime; and the Ammonites call them Zamzummim, a people great and many, and tall as the Anakim; and Jehovah destroyed them from before them, and they had them in possession, and dwelt in their place. As He did for the sons of Esau, that dwelt in Seir, in that He destroyed the Horites from before them; and they had them in possession, and dwelt in their place (Deuteronomy 2:20-22).

These things represent and signify the same as what is here related concerning Chedorlaomer, namely, that Chedorlaomer and the kings with him smote the Horites in Mount Seir; for by Chedorlaomer, as before said, are represented the Lord’s good and truth in His childhood, thus the Lord’s Human Essence in respect to good and truth at that time, by which He destroyed the persuasions of falsity, that is, the hells filled with such a crew of the devil, that attempted to destroy the world of spirits, and consequently the human race, by persuasions of falsity.

[3] And as Esau or Edom represented the Lord in respect to His Human Essence, Mount Seir also, and Paran represented the things that belonged to His Human Essence, namely, the celestial things of love. This is evident from the blessing of Moses:

Jehovah came from Sinai, and arose to them from Seir; He shone forth from Mount Paran, and He came from the ten thousands of holiness; from His right hand was a fire of law unto them, yea, He loveth the peoples (Deuteronomy 33:2-3

that “Jehovah arose from Mount Seir, and shone forth from Mount Paran,” signifies nothing else than the Lord’s Human Essence. Everyone may know that to rise from Mount Seir, and to shine forth from Mount Paran, signifies neither mountains nor their inhabitants, but Divine realities, thus the celestial things of the Lord’s Human Essence, of which it is predicated that Jehovah arose and shone forth from it.

[4] That “Seir” has this signification is evident from the Song of Deborah and Barak, in the book of Judges:

O Jehovah, when Thou wentest forth out of Seir, when Thou departedst out of the field of Edom, the earth trembled, the heavens also dropped drops, the clouds also dropped waters, the mountains flowed down, this Sinai before Jehovah the God of Israel (5:4-5); where to “go forth out of Seir,” and to “depart out of the field of Edom,” have no other signification.

[5] This is even more manifest in the prophecy of Balaam (who was one of the sons of the east, or from Syria, where there was a remnant of the Ancient Church), as given in Moses:

I see Him, but not now; I behold Him, but not nigh; there shall arise a star out of Jacob, and a scepter shall rise up out of Israel, and Edom shall be an inheritance, Seir also shall be an inheritance, belonging to His enemies (Numbers 24:17-18); where “to see Him, but not now,” to “behold Him, but not nigh,” is the Lord’s coming into the world; whose Human Essence is called “a star out of Jacob,” which is to arise, and also “Edom,” and “Seir”; that Edom and Seir were not to be the inheritance, is plain to everyone. That “Seir, belonging to His enemies,” or the mountain of His enemies, should be an inheritance, means the same as in many other places, where it is said that the enemies were to be expelled, and their land possessed.

[6] That Mount Paran also, or El-paran, named in this verse, signifies the same, is evident likewise in Habakkuk:

God will come from Teman, and the Holy One from Mount Paran. Selah. His honor covered the heavens, and the earth was filled with His praise (Hab. 3:3).

But it is to be known that mountains and lands have and take a signification from those who inhabit them; from the Horites when the Horites dwelt there; and when these were expelled, from those who expelled them, as from Esau or Edom, and also from other sources; and therefore the signification exists in two senses, the genuine and the opposite; in the genuine the places in question denote the Lord’s Human Essence; in the opposite, the love of self. The Lord’s Human Essence is celestial love itself, and the opposite to celestial love is the love of self. So the Horites here signify the persuasions of falsity from the love of self.

[7] There are persuasions of falsity from the love of self, and there are persuasions of falsity from the love of the world; the persuasions that are from the love of self are most foul; but the persuasions from the love of the world are not so foul. The persuasions of falsity from the love of self are opposite to the celestial things of love; but the persuasions of falsity from the love of the world are opposite to the spiritual things of love. Persuasions from the love of self carry with them a desire to exercise command over all things; and so far as restraints are relaxed to them, they rush on, even to desire to exercise command over the universe, and even over Jehovah Himself, as has been shown. Therefore persuasions of this kind are not tolerated in the other life. But persuasions from the love of the world do not rush on so far; but only to the insanity of not being contented with one’s lot. They vainly affect a heavenly joy, and desire to appropriate the goods of others, but not so much with the disposition to exercise command. But the differences that exist among these persuasions are innumerable.