Arcana Coelestia #7679
7679. 'And Jehovah brought an east wind' means an agent of destruction. This is clear from the meaning of 'an east wind' as an agent of destruction. 'An east wind' has this meaning because it was dry and turbulent, and because it therefore withered the produce of that land, and by its force shattered trees, and ships at sea. This is why that wind, acting as an agent [of destruction], describes the effect that Divine power can have. In addition 'the east' means the good of love and charity, for the Lord is meant by it in the highest sense, 101, 1250, 3708. Also, being Divine, the good of love and charity is in origin very gentle, and consequently is also such in its movements when it passes into heaven. But when it comes down into hell it becomes rough and fierce, because the inhabitants of hell make it so. Therefore the inflow and presence there of that Divine good not only torments them but also devastates them. This too explains why a wind from the east or 'an east wind' means an agent of destruction.
[2] The fact that this wind means an agent of destruction is evident from the places in which it is mentioned in the Word, as in Jeremiah,
Like an east wind I will scatter them before the enemy. Jeremiah 18:17.
In Ezekiel,
The vine that was planted, will it thrive? 1 When the east wind strikes it, will it not wither completely?. Ezekiel 17:10.
In the same prophet,
That vine has been plucked up in anger, it has been cast down onto the ground, the east wind has dried its fruit. Ezekiel 19:12.
In Hosea,
He will be among his brothers a ferocious one; an east wind will come, Jehovah's wind rising up from the desert, and his spring mill become dry, and his fountain dried up. Hosea 13:15.
In David,
By an east wind You will shatter the ships of Tarshish. Psalms 48:7.
In Ezekiel,
They brought you down to many waters, those who despise you; the east wind broke you in the heart of the seas. Ezekiel 27:26.
From these places it is evident that 'an east wind' means an agent of destruction, because it was a dry wind and a turbulent one. It therefore also means an agent of devastation, as in Hosea,
Ephraim feeds the wind, and pursues the east wind. All the day long he multiplies lies and devastation. Hosea 12:1.
'Ephraim' stands for the Church's understanding, 5354, 6222, 6238. 'Feeding the wind' is multiplying lies, and 'pursuing the east wind' is multiplying devastation. A state of devastation and temptation is also called 'the day of the east wind' in Isaiah 27:7-8.
Fußnoten:
1. Reading num prosperabitur (will it thrive?), which Swedenborg has in another place where he quotes this verse and which is the meaning of the Hebrew, for non prosperabitur (it will not thrive)
Hosea 11
1
When Israel was a child, then I loved him, and called my son out of Egypt.
2
As they called them, so they went from them: they sacrificed unto Baalim, and burned incense to graven images.
3
I taught Ephraim also to go, taking them by their arms; but they knew not that I healed them.
4
I drew them with cords of a man, with bands of love: and I was to them as they that take off the yoke on their jaws, and I laid meat unto them.
5
He shall not return into the land of Egypt, but the Assyrian shall be his king, because they refused to return.
6
And the sword shall abide on his cities, and shall consume his branches, and devour them, because of their own counsels.
7
And my people are bent to backsliding from me: though they called them to the most High, none at all would exalt him.
8
How shall I give thee up, Ephraim? how shall I deliver thee, Israel? how shall I make thee as Admah? how shall I set thee as Zeboim? mine heart is turned within me, my repentings are kindled together.
9
I will not execute the fierceness of mine anger, I will not return to destroy Ephraim: for I am God, and not man; the Holy One in the midst of thee: and I will not enter into the city.
10
They shall walk after the LORD: he shall roar like a lion: when he shall roar, then the children shall tremble from the west.
11
They shall tremble as a bird out of Egypt, and as a dove out of the land of Assyria: and I will place them in their houses, saith the LORD.
12
Ephraim compasseth me about with lies, and the house of Israel with deceit: but Judah yet ruleth with God, and is faithful with the saints.
