9529. 'Two cubits shall be its length' means all so far as the joining to good is concerned. This is clear from the meaning of 'two' as a joining together and as every single aspect (for the meaning of 'two' as a joining together, see 1686, 5194, 8423, and consequently every single aspect, 9166); and from the meaning of 'length' as good, dealt with in 9487, so that 'a length of two cubits' means all so far as the joining to good is concerned. The words 'the joining to good' have regard to the joining of the receptacle meant by 'the table' to the good of love meant by 'the loaves of the Presence' on the table, which are dealt with below. For the receptacle must be suited to the realities it has to receive, and the realities it has to receive have connection with good and with truth. Its suitability and a consequent joining together are described by the numbers used to specify the length and breadth. The fact that in the Word realities are specified by numbers, see 9488.

8423. 'And it shall be double to what they shall gather day by day' means that they are to be joined together. This is clear from the meaning of 'being double' as being joined together, the reason why being joined together is meant by 'double' being that 'two' means conjunction, dealt with in 1686, 3519, 5194; from the meaning of 'gathering' as receiving, as above in 8418; and from the meaning of 'day by day', or every single day, as continually, as also above in 8418. The reason why 'two' means conjunction is that there are two realities to which everything that exists is related. Those two are goodness and truth, or what amounts to the same thing, love and faith since intrinsically good is love and truth is faith. Therefore also a person has two entities composing his life, namely will and understanding. A person's will has been fashioned to receive goodness or love, and his understanding to receive truth or faith. When the two are joined together it is called a marriage. For the two joined together resemble married partners, loving each other, conceiving and giving birth; and their offspring are called the fruit. From all these considerations one may now see why 'two' or 'double' means conjunction, for unless those two realities have been joined together nothing is ever born or produced. Let it be said in addition that those considerations prove plainly that faith without love or charity cannot produce any fruit; rather, fruit must be the product of both joined together.