599. Verse 2. And he had in his hand a little book opened, signifies the Word laid open. This is evident from the signification of "a little book opened," as being the Word laid open. It can be seen that this is what is meant by "the little book opened," since "the strong angel coming down out of heaven, who had in his hand a little book," represented the Lord as to the Word, and in fact, as to its ultimate sense, which is called the sense of the letter (See above, n. 593); and because the Word was laid open both to angels and men it is said "a little book opened."

In Exodus 32:20, see Strewed.

'To give provender to his donkey,' as in Genesis 42:27, signifies reflection upon scientific ideas, because 'provender' is the food with which donkeys are fed, consisting of straw and chaff, and so it denotes all reflection on scientific ideas, for reflection principally feeds them. 'Provender' signifies the good of scientific truths.

(Reference: Arcana Coelestia 5670)