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Ezekiel 34

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1 και-C γιγνομαι-VBI-AMI3S λογος-N2--NSM κυριος-N2--GSM προς-P εγω- P--AS λεγω-V1--PAPNSM

2 υιος-N2--VSM ανθρωπος-N2--GSM προφητευω-VA--AAD2S επι-P ο- A--APM ποιμην-N3--APM ο- A--GSM *ισραηλ-N---GSM προφητευω-VA--AAD2S και-C ειπον-VB--AAD2S ο- A--DPM ποιμην-N3--DPM οδε- D--APN λεγω-V1--PAI3S κυριος-N2--NSM κυριος-N2--NSM ω-I ποιμην-N3--NPM *ισραηλ-N---GSM μη-D βοσκω-V1--PAI3P ποιμην-N3--NPM εαυτου- D--APM ου-D ο- A--APN προβατον-N2N-APN βοσκω-V1--PAI3P ο- A--NPM ποιμην-N3--NPM

3 ιδου-I ο- A--ASN γαλα-N3--ASN καταεσθιω-V1--PAI2P και-C ο- A--APN εριον-N2N-APN περιβαλλω-V1--PMI2P και-C ο- A--ASN παχυς-A3U-ASN σφαζω-V1--PAI2P και-C ο- A--APN προβατον-N2N-APN εγω- P--GS ου-D βοσκω-V1--PAI2P

4 ο- A--ASN ασθενεω-VX--XAPASN ου-D ενισχυω-VA--AAI2P και-C ο- A--ASN κακως-D εχω-V1--PAPASN ου-D σωματοποιεω-VAI-AAI2P και-C ο- A--ASN συντριβω-VP--XPPASN ου-D καταδεω-VAI-AAI2P και-C ο- A--ASN πλαναω-V3--PMPASN ου-D επιστρεφω-VAI-AAI2P και-C ο- A--ASN αποολλυω-VX--XAPASN ου-D ζητεω-VAI-AAI2P και-C ο- A--ASN ισχυρος-A1A-ASN καταεργαζομαι-VAI-AMI2P μοχθος-N2--DSM

5 και-C διασπειρω-VDI-API3S ο- A--APN προβατον-N2N-APN εγω- P--GS δια-P ο- A--ASN μη-D ειμι-V9--PAN ποιμην-N3--APM και-C γιγνομαι-VCI-API3S εις-P καταβρωμα-N3M-ASN πας-A3--DPN ο- A--DPN θηριον-N2N-DPN ο- A--GSM αγρος-N2--GSM

6 και-C διασπειρω-VDI-API3S εγω- P--GS ο- A--NPN προβατον-N2N-NPN εν-P πας-A3--DSN ορος-N3E-DSN και-C επι-P πας-A3--ASN βουνος-N2--ASM υψηλος-A1--ASM και-C επι-P προσωπον-N2N-GSN πας-A1S-GSF ο- A--GSF γη-N1--GSF διασπειρω-VDI-API3S και-C ου-D ειμι-V9--IAI3S ο- A--NSM εκζητεω-V2--PAPNSM ουδε-C ο- A--NSM αποστρεφω-V1--PAPNSM

7 δια-P ουτος- D--ASN ποιμην-N3--NPM ακουω-VA--AAD2P λογος-N2--ASM κυριος-N2--GSM

8 ζαω-V3--PAI1S εγω- P--NS λεγω-V1--PAI3S κυριος-N2--NSM κυριος-N2--NSM ει-C μην-X αντι-P ο- A--GSN γιγνομαι-VB--AMN ο- A--NPN προβατον-N2N-NPN εγω- P--GS εις-P προνομη-N1--ASF και-C γιγνομαι-VB--AMN ο- A--NPN προβατον-N2N-NPN εγω- P--GS εις-P καταβρωμα-N3M-ASN πας-A3--DPN ο- A--DPN θηριον-N2N-DPN ο- A--GSN πεδιον-N2N-GSN παρα-P ο- A--ASN μη-D ειμι-V9--PAN ποιμην-N3--APM και-C ου-D εκζητεω-VAI-AAI3P ο- A--NPM ποιμην-N3--NPM ο- A--APN προβατον-N2N-APN εγω- P--GS και-C βοσκω-VAI-AAI3P ο- A--NPM ποιμην-N3--NPM εαυτου- D--APM ο- A--APN δε-X προβατον-N2N-APN εγω- P--GS ου-D βοσκω-VAI-AAI3P

9 αντι-P ουτος- D--GSM ποιμην-N3--NPM

10 οδε- D--APN λεγω-V1--PAI3S κυριος-N2--NSM κυριος-N2--NSM ιδου-I εγω- P--NS επι-P ο- A--APM ποιμην-N3--APM και-C εκζητεω-VF--FAI1S ο- A--APN προβατον-N2N-APN εγω- P--GS εκ-P ο- A--GPF χειρ-N3--GPF αυτος- D--GPM και-C αποστρεφω-VF--FAI1S αυτος- D--APM ο- A--GSN μη-D ποιμαινω-V1--PAN ο- A--APN προβατον-N2N-APN εγω- P--GS και-C ου-D βοσκω-VF--FAI3P ετι-D ο- A--NPM ποιμην-N3--NPM αυτος- D--APN και-C εκαιρεω-VF2-FMI1S ο- A--APN προβατον-N2N-APN εγω- P--GS εκ-P ο- A--GSN στομα-N3M-GSN αυτος- D--GPM και-C ου-D ειμι-VF--FMI3P αυτος- D--DPM ετι-D εις-P καταβρωμα-N3M-ASN

11 διοτι-C οδε- D--APN λεγω-V1--PAI3S κυριος-N2--NSM ιδου-I εγω- P--NS εκζητεω-VF--FAI1S ο- A--APN προβατον-N2N-APN εγω- P--GS και-C επισκεπτομαι-VF--FMI1S αυτος- D--APN

12 ωσπερ-D ζητεω-V2--PAI3S ο- A--NSM ποιμην-N3--NSM ο- A--ASN ποιμνιον-N2N-ASN αυτος- D--GSM εν-P ημερα-N1A-DSF οταν-D ειμι-V9--PAS3S γνοφος-N2--NSM και-C νεφελη-N1--NSF εν-P μεσος-A1--DSM προβατον-N2N-GPN διαχωριζω-VT--XPPGPM ουτως-D εκζητεω-VF--FAI1S ο- A--APN προβατον-N2N-APN εγω- P--GS και-C αποελαυνω-VF3-FAI1S αυτος- D--APN απο-P πας-A3--GSM τοπος-N2--GSM ος- --GSM διασπειρω-VDI-API3P εκει-D εν-P ημερα-N1A-DSF νεφελη-N1--GSF και-C γνοφος-N2--GSM

13 και-C εκαγω-VF--FAI1S αυτος- D--APM εκ-P ο- A--GPN εθνος-N3E-GPN και-C συναγω-VF--FAI1S αυτος- D--APM απο-P ο- A--GPF χωρα-N1A-GPF και-C ειςαγω-VF--FAI1S αυτος- D--APM εις-P ο- A--ASF γη-N1--ASF αυτος- D--GPM και-C βοσκω-VF--FAI1S αυτος- D--APM επι-P ο- A--APN ορος-N3E-APN *ισραηλ-N---GSM και-C εν-P ο- A--DPF φαραγξ-N3G-DPF και-C εν-P πας-A1S-DSF κατοικια-N1A-DSF ο- A--GSF γη-N1--GSF

14 εν-P νομη-N1--DSF αγαθος-A1--DSF βοσκω-VF--FAI1S αυτος- D--APM και-C εν-P ο- A--DSN ορος-N3E-DSN ο- A--DSN υψηλος-A1--DSN *ισραηλ-N---GSM ειμι-VF--FMI3P ο- A--NPF μανδρα-N1A-NPF αυτος- D--GPM εκει-D κοιμαω-VC--FPI3P και-C εκει-D αναπαυω-VF--FMI3P εν-P τρυφη-N1--DSF αγαθος-A1--DSF και-C εν-P νομη-N1--DSF πιων-A3N-DSF βοσκω-VC--FPI3P επι-P ο- A--GPN ορος-N3E-GPN *ισραηλ-N---GSM

15 εγω- P--NS βοσκω-VF--FAI1S ο- A--APN προβατον-N2N-APN εγω- P--GS και-C εγω- P--NS αναπαυω-VF--FAI1S αυτος- D--APN και-C γιγνωσκω-VF--FMI3P οτι-C εγω- P--NS ειμι-V9--PAI1S κυριος-N2--NSM οδε- D--APN λεγω-V1--PAI3S κυριος-N2--NSM κυριος-N2--NSM

16 ο- A--ASN αποολλυω-VX--XAPASN ζητεω-VF--FAI1S και-C ο- A--ASN πλαναω-V3--PMPASN επιστρεφω-VF--FAI1S και-C ο- A--ASN συντριβω-VP--XPPASN καταδεω-VF--FAI1S και-C ο- A--ASN εκλειπω-V1--PAPASN ενισχυω-VF--FAI1S και-C ο- A--ASN ισχυρος-A1A-ASN φυλασσω-VF--FAI1S και-C βοσκω-VF--FAI1S αυτος- D--APN μετα-P κριμα-N3M-GSN

17 και-C συ- P--NP προβατον-N2N-NPN οδε- D--APN λεγω-V1--PAI3S κυριος-N2--NSM κυριος-N2--NSM ιδου-I εγω- P--NS διακρινω-VF2-FAI1S ανα-P μεσος-A1--ASM προβατον-N2N-GSN και-C προβατον-N2N-GSN κριος-N2--GPM και-C τραγος-N2--GPM

18 και-C ου-D ικανος-A1--NSN συ- P--DP οτι-C ο- A--ASF καλος-A1--ASF νομη-N1--ASF νεμω-V1I-IMI2P και-C ο- A--APN καταλοιπος-A1B-APN ο- A--GSF νομη-N1--GSF συ- P--GP καταπατεω-V2I-IAI2P ο- A--DPM πους-N3D-DPM συ- P--GP και-C ο- A--ASN καταιστημι-VXI-XAPASN υδωρ-N3--ASN πινω-V1I-IAI2P και-C ο- A--ASN λοιπος-A1--ASN ο- A--DPM πους-N3D-DPM συ- P--GP ταρασσω-V1I-IAI2P

19 και-C ο- A--APN προβατον-N2N-APN εγω- P--GS ο- A--APN πατημα-N3M-APN ο- A--GPM πους-N3D-GPM συ- P--GP νεμω-V1I-IMI3P και-C ο- A--ASN ταρασσω-VK--XPPASN υδωρ-N3--ASN υπο-P ο- A--GPM πους-N3D-GPM συ- P--GP πινω-V1I-IAI3P

20 δια-P ουτος- D--ASN οδε- D--APN λεγω-V1--PAI3S κυριος-N2--NSM κυριος-N2--NSM ιδου-I εγω- P--NS διακρινω-VF2-FAI1S ανα-P μεσος-A1--ASM προβατον-N2N-GSN ισχυρος-A1A-GSN και-C ανα-P μεσος-A1--ASM προβατον-N2N-GSN ασθενης-A3H-GSN

21 επι-P ο- A--DPF πλευρα-N1A-DPF και-C ο- A--DPM ωμος-N2--DPM συ- P--GP διαωθεω-V2--PMI2P και-C ο- A--DPN κερας-N3T-DPN συ- P--GP κερατιζω-V1I-IAI2P και-C πας-A3--ASN ο- A--ASN εκλειπω-V1--PAPASN εκθλιβω-V1I-IAI2P

22 και-C σωζω-VF--FAI1S ο- A--APN προβατον-N2N-APN εγω- P--GS και-C ου-D μη-D ειμι-V9--PAS3P ετι-D εις-P προνομη-N1--ASF και-C κρινω-VF2-FAI1S ανα-P μεσος-A1--ASM κριος-N2--GSM προς-P κριος-N2--ASM

23 και-C αναιστημι-VF--FAI1S επι-P αυτος- D--APM ποιμην-N3--ASM εις-A3--ASM και-C ποιμαινω-VF2-FAI3S αυτος- D--APM ο- A--ASM δουλος-N2--ASM εγω- P--GS *δαυιδ-N---ASM και-C ειμι-VF--FMI3S αυτος- D--GPM ποιμην-N3--NSM

24 και-C εγω- P--NS κυριος-N2--NSM ειμι-VF--FMI1S αυτος- D--DPM εις-P θεος-N2--ASM και-C *δαυιδ-N---NSM εν-P μεσος-A1--DSM αυτος- D--GPM αρχων-N3--NSM εγω- P--NS κυριος-N2--NSM λαλεω-VAI-AAI1S

25 και-C διατιθημι-VF--FMI1S ο- A--DSM *δαυιδ-N---DSM διαθηκη-N1--ASF ειρηνη-N1--GSF και-C απο αναιζω-VF2-FAI1S θηριον-N2N-APN πονηρος-A1A-APN απο-P ο- A--GSF γη-N1--GSF και-C καταοικεω-VF--FAI3P εν-P ο- A--DSF ερημος-N2--DSF και-C υπνοω-VF--FAI3P εν-P ο- A--DPM δρυμος-N2--DPM

26 και-C διδωμι-VF--FAI1S αυτος- D--APM περικυκλω-D ο- A--GSN ορος-N3E-GSN εγω- P--GS και-C διδωμι-VF--FAI1S ο- A--ASM υετος-N2--ASM συ- P--DP υετος-N2--ASM ευλογια-N1A-GSF

27 και-C ο- A--NPN ξυλον-N2N-NPN ο- A--NPN εν-P ο- A--DSN πεδιον-N2N-DSN διδωμι-VF--FAI3S ο- A--ASM καρπος-N2--ASM αυτος- D--GPM και-C ο- A--NSF γη-N1--NSF διδωμι-VF--FAI3S ο- A--ASF ισχυς-N3--ASF αυτος- D--GSF και-C καταοικεω-VF--FAI3P επι-P ο- A--GSF γη-N1--GSF αυτος- D--GPM εν-P ελπις-N3D-DSF ειρηνη-N1--GSF και-C γιγνωσκω-VF--FMI3P οτι-C εγω- P--NS ειμι-V9--PAI1S κυριος-N2--NSM εν-P ο- A--DSN συντριβω-VA--AAN εγω- P--AS ο- A--ASM ζυγος-N2--ASM αυτος- D--GPM και-C εκαιρεω-VF2-FMI1S αυτος- D--APM εκ-P χειρ-N3--GSF ο- A--GPM καταδουλοω-VA--AMPGPM αυτος- D--APM

28 και-C ου-D ειμι-VF--FMI3P ετι-D εν-P προνομη-N1--DSF ο- A--DPN εθνος-N3E-DPN και-C ο- A--NPN θηριον-N2N-NPN ο- A--GSF γη-N1--GSF ουκετι-D μη-D εσθιω-VB--AAS3P αυτος- D--APM και-C καταοικεω-VF--FAI3P εν-P ελπις-N3D-DSF και-C ου-D ειμι-VF--FMI3S ο- A--NSM εκφοβεω-V2--PAPNSM αυτος- D--APM

29 και-C αναιστημι-VF--FAI1S αυτος- D--DPM φυτον-N2N-ASN ειρηνη-N1--GSF και-C ουκετι-D ειμι-VF--FMI3P αποολλυω-V5--PMPNPM λιμος-N2--DSM επι-P ο- A--GSF γη-N1--GSF και-C ου-D μη-D φερω-VA--AAS3P ετι-D ονειδισμος-N2--ASM εθνος-N3E-GPN

30 και-C γιγνωσκω-VF--FMI3P οτι-C εγω- P--NS ειμι-V9--PAI1S κυριος-N2--NSM ο- A--NSM θεος-N2--NSM αυτος- D--GPM και-C αυτος- D--NPM λαος-N2--NSM εγω- P--GS οικος-N2--NSM *ισραηλ-N---GSM λεγω-V1--PAI3S κυριος-N2--NSM

31 προβατον-N2N-NPN εγω- P--GS και-C προβατον-N2N-NPN ποιμνιον-N2N-GSN εγω- P--GS ειμι-V9--PAI2P και-C εγω- P--NS κυριος-N2--NSM ο- A--NSM θεος-N2--NSM συ- P--GP λεγω-V1--PAI3S κυριος-N2--NSM κυριος-N2--NSM

   

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Arcana Coelestia #6078

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6078. 'For there is no pasture for the flock which belongs to your servants' means that factual knowledge holding forms of the good of truth is wanting. This is clear from the meaning of 'pasture for the flock' as factual knowledge holding forms of the good of truth, so that 'no pasture' means factual knowledge that does not hold any forms of the good of truth. In the internal sense 'pasture' is that which supports spiritual life; in particular it is truth contained in factual knowledge, for the human soul desires such truth just as the body desires food. Nourishment is derived from it, and for that reason 'feeding' means receiving instruction, 5201. That factual knowledge and truths sustain the human soul is quite evident from a person's desire for knowledge, as well as from the correspondence of food with factual knowledge, 1480, 3114, 4792, 5147, 5193, 5340, 5342, 5576, 5579, 5915. This correspondence also manifests itself when a person is eating food. If he eats it while talking and listening the vessels that receive the chyle are opened, and he is nourished more fully than if he is alone. Spiritual truths and instruction in them would have the same kind of effect on people if they were to have an affection for what is good. The fact that truths nourish spiritual life is revealed primarily among good spirits and among angels in heaven. Those spirits and angels have a constant desire to acquire knowledge and wisdom; and when they lack this spiritual food they feel desolate, listless, and famished. Nor are they refreshed and raised into the bliss of their life until their desires are satisfied. But if that factual knowledge is to yield the soul wholesome nourishment, that knowledge must contain life received from forms of the good of truth. If it does not contain life received from them factual knowledge still sustains a person's inner life, but his natural life, not his spiritual life.

[2] The meaning of 'pasture' in the internal sense as that which sustains a person's spiritual life is also evident from other places in the Word, as in Isaiah,

I have given you as a covenant to the people, to restore the land; to say to the bound, Go out, to those who are in darkness, Reveal yourselves. They will feed along the ways, and on all slopes will their pasture be. Isaiah 49:8-9.

'Feeding along the ways' stands for receiving instruction in truths, 'the ways' being truths, see 627, 2333, and 'feeding' receiving instruction, 5201. 'On all slopes will their pasture be' stands for being sustained with good, for 'slopes', like 'mountains' are forms of the good of love, 795, 796, 1430, 2722, 4210.

[3] In Jeremiah,

Woe to the shepherds destroying and scattering the flock of My pasture. Jeremiah 23:1.

'Pasture' stands for the kinds of things that sustain spiritual life. In the same prophet,

The princes of Zion have become like deer, they have not found pasture. Lamentations 1:6.

'They have not found pasture' stands for no truth of good.

[4] In Ezekiel,

I, even I will look for My sheep. I will feed them in a good pasture, and their fold will be on the mountains of the loftiness of Israel; there 1 they will lie down in a good fold, and on fat pasture they will feed upon the mountains of Israel. Ezekiel 34:11, 14.

'A good and fat pasture upon the mountains of Israel' stands for forms of the good of truth. In the same prophet,

Is it a small thing to you? You feed off the good pasture but tread down with your feet the rest of your pastures. Ezekiel 34:18.

Here the meaning is similar. In Hosea,

I knew you in the wilderness, in the land of drought. When [they had] their pasture, they were filled; they were filled and their heart was exalted. Hosea 13:5-6.

In Joel,

The beasts groan, the herds of cattle are perplexed because they have no pasture, even the flocks of sheep 2 are made desolate. Joel 1:18.

In David,

Jehovah is my Shepherd; He will make me lie down in green pasture; 3 He will lead me away to still waters; He will restore My soul. Psalms 23:1-3.

In the same author,

Jehovah made us and not we ourselves, His people and the flock of His pasture; therefore we are His, His people, and the flock of His pasture. 4 Psalms 100:3.

[5] 'Pasture' in these quotations stands for the truths in which a person receives instruction, here the kinds of things which have regard to spiritual life. For the nature of spiritual life is such that if it lacks that pasture it languishes and so to speak fades away, like the body when it lacks food. The fact that 'pasture' is the goodness and truth that refresh and sustain a person's soul or spirit is plain from the Lord's words in John,

I am the door. If anyone enters through Me he will be saved, and will go in and out, and find pasture. John 10:9.

'Pasture' stands for the forms of good and the truths which those people have who acknowledge the Lord and seek life from Him alone.

Note a piè di pagina:

1. Reading there (ibi) for thus (ita)

2. literally, small cattle or livestock

3. literally, pasture of the plant

4. The first and second halves of this sentence are in fact alternative ways of understanding the original Hebrew.

  
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Thanks to the Swedenborg Society for the permission to use this translation.

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Arcana Coelestia #4286

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4286. 'And he said, Your name will no longer be called Jacob, but Israel' means the Divine celestial-spiritual at this point, for 'Israel' is the celestial-spiritual man within the natural, and so is the natural man, whereas the celestial[- spiritual] man proper - that is, the rational man - is 'Joseph'. This becomes clear from what is said below about Jacob and Israel, and also about Joseph, for one must begin here by stating what the celestial-spiritual is. At the present day within the Church the existence of the spiritual man and the natural man, or the internal man and the external, is indeed well known; but as to what the spiritual or internal man may be, this is not as yet so well known. Still less is it known what the celestial man is and the fact that this is distinct and separate from the spiritual man. And as this is not known it is impossible to know what the celestial-spiritual man is, meant here by 'Israel', and therefore a brief statement about it must be made.

[2] It is well known that there are three heavens - the inmost heaven, the middle heaven, and the ultimate heaven, or what amounts to the same, the third, second, and first heavens. The inmost or third heaven is celestial, the angels there being called celestial because they are governed by love to the Lord and as a consequence are the ones most closely linked to the Lord. And that being so they excel all other angels in wisdom. They are innocent and are for that reason called embodiments of innocence and wisdom. These angels are divided into internal and external, the internal being more celestial than the external. The middle or second heaven is spiritual, the angels there being called spiritual because they are governed by charity towards the neighbour, that is, by mutual love, the nature of which is such that one angel loves another more than himself. And because their nature is such, intelligence is present within them and for that reason they are called embodiments of intelligence. These angels too are divided into internal and external, the internal being more spiritual than the external. But the ultimate or first heaven is also celestial and spiritual, though not in the same degree as the previous ones; for the natural is closely associated with them, and so for that reason they are called celestial-natural and spiritual-natural. They too are governed by mutual love, but they do not love others more than themselves, only as themselves. What governs them is an affection for good and a knowledge of truth. They also are divided into internal and external.

[3] But what the celestial-spiritual is must also be stated briefly. The term celestial-spiritual applies to those who have been called spiritual immediately above and who are in the middle or second heaven. They are given the name celestial because of their mutual love, and spiritual because of their intelligence arising out of this. The internal members of that heaven are represented by Joseph, and also in the Word are actually called 'Joseph', whereas its external members are represented by Israel, and also in the Word are actually called 'Israel'. The former, namely the internal members who are called Joseph, partake of the rational, whereas the external members who are called Israel partake of the natural, for they are half-way between the rational and the natural. These are the reasons why it has been said that 'Israel' is the celestial-spiritual man within the natural man, and so is the natural man, and that 'Joseph' is the celestial-spiritual man proper, which is the rational man. For in the universal sense all good which flows from love and charity is called celestial, and all truth which derives from this and constitutes faith and intelligence is referred to as spiritual.

[4] These things have been stated so that people may know what is meant by 'Israel'. But by 'Israel' the Lord's Divine celestial-spiritual is meant in the highest sense, whereas the Lord's spiritual kingdom in heaven and on earth is meant in the internal sense. The Lord's spiritual kingdom on earth is the Church, which is called the spiritual Church. And as 'Israel' means the Lord's spiritual kingdom, 'Israel' also means the spiritual man, for the Lord's kingdom exists within all who are spiritual, since each is heaven and also the Church in the smallest form these can take, 4279. As for Jacob, in the highest sense he represents the Lord's natural, both His celestial-natural and His spiritual-natural, and in the internal sense the Lord's kingdom as it exists in the ultimate or first heaven, and so also the corresponding area of the Church. Good within the natural is that which is called celestial here, and truth within it that which is called spiritual. From all this one may see what 'Israel' and 'Jacob' mean in the Word, and also why Jacob received the name Israel.

[5] But these ideas that have been stated will inevitably seem obscure, the chief reason being that few people know what the spiritual man is, and scarcely any what the celestial man is, or consequently that there is any difference between the spiritual man and the celestial man. The reason why they do not know is that no clear difference is perceived between good which is the good of love and charity, and truth which is the truth of faith. And the reason why these are not perceived is that genuine charity does not exist any longer. When something is non-existent no perception of it is possible. And a further reason why they are not perceived is that people do not bother very much about the things that have to do with the life after death, and so about those to do with heaven, but much about things to do with life in the body, and so with things which belong to the world. If people did bother about the things that have to do with the life after death, and so about those which have to do with heaven, they would easily grasp all that has been mentioned above, for that which a person loves he absorbs and grasps with ease, but that which he does not love with difficulty.

[6] The fact that 'Jacob' has one meaning and 'Israel' another is quite evident from the Word, for in its historical sections, and in the prophetical ones too, Jacob is used at one point, Israel at another; and sometimes the two names occur in the same verse. From this it becomes clear that there is an internal sense to the Word, and that without that sense this matter could in no way be known. The use of Jacob at one point, Israel at another is clear from the following,

Jacob dwelt in the land of his father's sojournings. These are the generations of Jacob. Joseph was a son of seventeen years. And Israel loved Joseph more than all his sons. Genesis 37:1-3.

Here Jacob is first called 'Jacob' and immediately after that 'Israel' - Israel being used when Joseph is referred to. Elsewhere,

Jacob saw that there was grain in Egypt; Jacob said to his sons . . . And the sons of Israel came to buy in the midst of others who came. Genesis 42:1, 5.

And after this,

They went up out of Egypt and came to the land of Canaan, to Jacob their father. When they told him all Joseph's words which he had spoken to them the spirit of Jacob their father revived. And Israel said, Enough; Joseph my son is still alive. Genesis 45:25, 27-28.

Then,

And Israel set out and all that he had. God spoke to Israel in visions in the night and said, Jacob, Jacob. And he said, Behold, here I am. And Jacob rose up from Beersheba; and the sons of Israel carried away 1 Jacob their father. Genesis 46:1-2, 5.

And in the same chapter,

These are the names of the sons of Israel who came into Egypt, Jacob and his sons. Genesis 46:8.

Further on,

Joseph brought in Jacob his father and placed him before Pharaoh. Pharaoh said to Jacob . . . and Jacob said to Pharaoh . . . Genesis 47:7-10.

And in the same chapter,

And Israel dwelt in the land of Goshen. And Jacob lived in the land of Egypt seventeen years. And Israel's days drew near when he must die; he called his son Joseph. Genesis 47:27-29.

Yet again,

And someone reported to Jacob and said, Behold, your son Joseph has come to you, and Israel found some strength in himself and sat up on his bed. And Jacob said to Joseph, God Shaddai appeared to me in Luz. Genesis 48:2-3.

The name Israel is again used in the same chapter in verses 8, 10, 11, 13, 14, 20-21. And finally,

Jacob called his sons and said, Gather together, and hear, O sons of Jacob; and hearken to Israel your father. And when Jacob had finished commanding his sons . . . Genesis 49:1-2, 33.

From all these places it becomes clear that Jacob is called Jacob at one point, Israel at another, thus that Jacob has one meaning, Israel another, that is, one thing is meant when he is called Jacob, another when he is called Israel. They also make it quite clear that this arcanum can in no way be known except from the internal sense.

[7] What 'Jacob' means however, and what 'Israel', has been stated above. In general 'Jacob' in the Word means the external aspect of the Church and 'Israel' the internal, for every Church has an external aspect and it has an internal one, that is, it is internal and also external. And because that which constitutes the Church is meant by 'Jacob' and by 'Israel' and because the Church in its entirety originates in the Lord, both Jacob and Israel therefore mean the Lord in the highest sense - 'Jacob' the Lord's Divine natural, 'Israel' His Divine spiritual. Consequently the external aspect of the Lord's kingdom and of His Church is meant by 'Jacob' and the internal by 'Israel', as becomes additionally clear from the following places in which again each name is used in its own sense. In the prophecy uttered by Jacob, who by then was Israel,

By the hands of the Mighty One of Jacob; from there is the Shepherd, the Stone of Israel. Genesis 49:24.

In Isaiah,

Hear, O Jacob My servant, and Israel whom I have chosen. Fear not, O My servant Jacob, and Jeshurun whom I have chosen. I will pour out My spirit upon your seed, and My blessing upon your sons. This one will say, I am Jehovah's, and another will call himself by the name of Jacob: and he will write with his hand, Jehovah's, and surname himself by the name of Israel. Isaiah 44:1-3, 5.

Here 'Jacob' and 'Israel' plainly stand for the Lord, while Jacob or Israel's 'seed' and 'sons' stand for those whose faith is in Him. In Balaam's prophecy in Moses,

Who will count the dust of Jacob, and its number together with a fourth part of Israel? Numbers 23:10.

And again,

There is no divination against Jacob, nor enchantments against Israel. At that time it will be said to Jacob and to Israel, What has God done? Numbers 23:23.

Further still,

How fine are your tabernacles, O Jacob; your dwelling-places, O Israel. Numbers 24:5.

And again,

A star will arise out of Jacob, and a sceptre out of Israel. Numbers 24:17.

In Isaiah,

My glory will I not give to another. Hearken to me, O Jacob, and O Israel whom I called: I am the same; I am the first; I am also the last. Isaiah 48:11-12.

In the same prophet,

Those who are to come Jacob will cause to take root. Israel will blossom and flower, and the face of the earth will be filled with produce. Isaiah 27:6.

In Jeremiah,

Do not fear, O My servant Jacob, and do not be dismayed, O Israel, for behold, I have saved you from afar. Jeremiah 30:9-10.

In Micah,

I will surely gather Jacob, all of you, I will surely assemble the remnant of Israel, I will put them together, like the sheep of Bozrah. Micah 2:12.

[8] The reason why Jacob received the name Israel is clear from the actual words used when he was given it, which are these,

Your name will no longer be called Jacob, but Israel, for as a prince you have contended with God and with men, and have prevailed.

Israel in the original language means 'one contending as a prince with God', and these words mean in the internal sense that he overcame in the conflicts that accompany temptations; for it was through temptations and the conflicts which take place in temptations 2 that the Lord made His Human Divine, 1737, 1813, and elsewhere. And it is temptations and victories in temptations that make the spiritual man. This is why Jacob first received the name Israel after his wrestling - 'wrestling' meaning to undergo temptation, see 4274. It is well known that the Church, or the member of the Christian Church, calls itself Israel, but no one in the Church is an Israel except the one who has become a spiritual man through temptations. The name itself also implies the same. A subsequent confirmation of the fact that Jacob was to be called Israel was also given to him, as is clear from the following words further on,

And God appeared again to Jacob when coming from Paddan Aram, and blessed him; and God said to him, Your name is Jacob; your name will no longer be called Jacob, but Israel will be your name. And He called his name Israel. Genesis 35:9-10.

The reason for this confirmation will be discussed below.

Note a piè di pagina:

1. i.e. in a cart

2. Or, reading what Swedenborg had in his rough draft for it was through temptations and victories in temptations

  
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Thanks to the Swedenborg Society for the permission to use this translation.