4919. 'And it happened as she was giving birth' means a bringing forth. This is clear from the meaning of 'giving birth' as acknowledging in faith and action, dealt with in 3905, 3915, 3919. And because that which is acknowledged in faith and action is something that is brought forth, 'giving birth' also means a bringing forth - a bringing forth of good and truth, the essentials of the Church.

'A workman,' as in Zechariah 1:20, signifies the same thing as 'iron,' that is, truth in extremes.

'A workman,' as in Hosea 8:6, signifies a person’s proprium or selfhood.

(参照: Apocalypse Explained 279; Zechariah 1)