2
υιος-N2--VSM ανθρωπος-N2--GSM λαμβανω-VB--AAD2S επι-P *σορ-N---ASF θρηνος-N2--ASM
Apocalypse Revealed #538
538. Having seven heads. This symbolizes irrationality owing to their falsifying and profaning the Word's truths.
A head symbolizes wisdom and intelligence, and in an opposite sense, irrationality. However, the seven heads here, being the heads of the dragon, symbolize more specifically irrationality owing to a falsification and profanation of the Word's truths. For the number seven is predicated of things that are holy, and in an opposite sense, of things that are profane (no. 10). Consequently we are told next that on its heads were seen seven jewels, 1 and jewels symbolize the Word's truths, there truths falsified and profaned.
That a head symbolizes wisdom and intelligence is apparent from the following passages:
I will give you wise and intelligent men..., and I will make them your heads. (Deuteronomy 1:13)
...Jehovah... has closed your eyes, namely, the prophets; and He has covered your heads, namely, the seers. (Isaiah 29:10)
In Daniel 2:32 the head of Nebuchadnezzar's image of fine gold symbolizes the wisdom of the first age, which existed in people of the Most Ancient Church.
That in an opposite sense a head symbolizes irrationality and foolishness is apparent in the book of Psalms:
God will smite the head of His enemies, the hairy crown of the one who walks in his guilty ways. (Psalms 68:21)
In Genesis 3:15 the head of the serpent that would be trampled has the same symbolism, and so does "striking the head over much land" in Psalms 110:6-7; Lamentations 2:10; 2 Samuel 13:19).
Moreover, seven heads later in the book of Revelation, namely, in Revelation 13:1, 3; 17:3, 7, 9, also symbolize irrationality owing to a falsification and profanation of truths.
Notes de bas de page:
1. The word translated as "jewels" here means diadems or crowns in the original Greek and Latin, but the writer's definition of the term elsewhere make plain that he regularly and consistently interpreted it to mean jewels or gems.
Psalms 109
1
God of my praise, don't remain silent,
2
for they have opened the mouth of the wicked and the mouth of deceit against me. They have spoken to me with a lying tongue.
3
They have also surrounded me with words of hatred, and fought against me without a cause.
4
In return for my love, they are my adversaries; but I am in prayer.
5
They have rewarded me evil for good, and hatred for my love.
6
Set a wicked man over him. Let an adversary stand at his right hand.
7
When he is judged, let him come forth guilty. Let his prayer be turned into sin.
8
Let his days be few. Let another take his office.
9
Let his children be fatherless, and his wife a widow.
10
Let his children be wandering beggars. Let them be sought from their ruins.
11
Let the creditor seize all that he has. Let strangers plunder the fruit of his labor.
12
Let there be none to extend kindness to him, neither let there be any to have pity on his fatherless children.
13
Let his posterity be cut off. In the generation following let their name be blotted out.
14
Let the iniquity of his fathers be remembered by Yahweh. Don't let the sin of his mother be blotted out.
15
Let them be before Yahweh continually, that he may cut off the memory of them from the earth;
16
because he didn't remember to show kindness, but persecuted the poor and needy man, the broken in heart, to kill them.
17
Yes, he loved cursing, and it came to him. He didn't delight in blessing, and it was far from him.
18
He clothed himself also with cursing as with his garment. It came into his inward parts like water, like oil into his bones.
19
Let it be to him as the clothing with which he covers himself, for the belt that is always around him.
20
This is the reward of my adversaries from Yahweh, of those who speak evil against my soul.
21
But deal with me, Yahweh the Lord, for your name's sake, because your loving kindness is good, deliver me;
22
for I am poor and needy. My heart is wounded within me.
23
I fade away like an evening shadow. I am shaken off like a locust.
24
My knees are weak through fasting. My body is thin and lacks fat.
25
I have also become a reproach to them. When they see me, they shake their head.
26
Help me, Yahweh, my God. Save me according to your loving kindness;
27
that they may know that this is your hand; that you, Yahweh, have done it.
28
They may curse, but you bless. When they arise, they will be shamed, but your servant shall rejoice.
29
Let my adversaries be clothed with dishonor. Let them cover themselves with their own shame as with a robe.
30
I will give great thanks to Yahweh with my mouth. Yes, I will praise him among the multitude.
31
For he will stand at the right hand of the needy, to save him from those who judge his soul. A Psalm by David.
