THE EXPLANATION of Isaiah Chapter 19

(Note: Rev. Smithson's translation of the Isaiah text is appended below the explanation)

1. THE burden concerning Egypt. Behold, Jehovah rides on a light cloud, and He cometh to Egypt! and the idols of Egypt shall be moved at His presence; and the heart of Egypt shall melt in the midst of her.

Verse 1. The burden. concerning Egypt. - [As it is most important that the prophecies respecting "Egypt" should be well understood, in order that a man may see the right application of the Word to his own states, we beg to direct the attention of the reader to the following extracts.]

That by "Egypt" [in a bad sense] is signified the natural man separate from the spiritual, and thence the falsities flowing from the evils of the love of self, consequently from the conceit of self-derived intelligence, shall now be explained; for when the natural principle of man is separated from the spiritual, which takes place chiefly from the love of self, then from the evils of that love falsities flow forth, all the false being derived from evil; for the false is the patron of evil, and the evil of the will is formed in the understanding by the ideas of the thought, which ideas are called falsities; and whereas the falsities flowing forth from the evils of the love of self, are attended with self-conceit, for man then thinks from bis proprium, therefore also by "Egypt" is here signified the conceit of self-derived intelligence. But inasmuch as by "Egypt" is signified the natural man in both senses, namely, as well conjoined 'with the spiritual man as when separated from it, thus in a good sense and in a bad sense, therefore the various things which appertain to tbe natural man are also signified by "Egypt", which in general have reference to knowledges and scientifics, for the truths and falsities of the natural man are called knowledges and scientifics; but the truths themselves, when they have obtained life, which is effected by the life of faith, which is charity, appertain to the spiritual man, or spiritual mind of man, and these with their affections and pleasantnesses do not appear to the manifest sense and sight of the man, as is the case with the knowledges and scientifics of the natural man. The reason of this is, because man, so long as he lives in the world, thinks naturally and speaks naturally, and what is thought and spoken naturally is sensibly felt and perceived by him in a certain sight which appertains to his understanding, whereas his spiritual thought, which is conjoined with the affection of truth or of the false, does not appear before man has put off the natural body, and put on the spiritual body, which takes place after his decease, or departure from this world, and his entrance into the spiritual world, when he thinks spiritually and speaks spiritually, and no longer naturally as before. This comes to pass with every man, whether he be merely natural or at the same time spiritual; and thought with the merely natural man after death is still spiritual, but gross, without intelligence of truth or affection of good, for it consists of correspondent ideas, which indeed appear as material, but still are not so; but coucerning the spiritual thought and the speech also thence derived of merely natural men in the spiritual world, the Lord willing, more will be said elsewhere.

The reason why by " Egypt", in the Word, is signified the natural man in both senses, good and bad, consequently all that which properly belongs to the natural man, is, because in Egypt the sciences were cultivated, especially the science of correspondences and representations, at the time when churches were representative. But whereas they made to themselves resemhlances, according to correspondences, which, when from internal they became altogether external, they began to worship with holy rites, and thus perverted the representatives of things spiritual and celestial to idolatrous purposes, and also to magic : hence it is that by "Egypt", in a bad sense, which is opposite to the former, is signified the false scientific of the natural man, and also what is idolatrous and magical.

That such things are signified by "Egypt" may be abundantly confirmed from the Word; but before we proceed to such confirmation it is proper to be known that with every man there is an internal, which sees from the light of heaven, which is called the internal spiritual man, or the internal spiritual mind, and an external, which sees from the light of the 'world, which is called the external natural man, on the external natural mind. With every man of the church the internal must be conjoined with the external, or the internal spiritual man with the external natural man. When they are thus conjoined, then the spiritual man, inasmuch as it is the light of heaven, has dominion over the natural man, which is in the light of the world, and rules it as a master of a family rules his servant, and teaches it as a master teaches his disciple. From this conjunction man is a man of the church, and an angel; but when the natural man is not conjoined with the spiritual, nor subordinate thereto, as is especially the case when the spiritual man is shut, as it is with those who deny the divine, things of the Word and the church, who thence see nothing from the light of heaven, then the natural man is in blindness as to things spiritual, and by his rational principle perverts all the truths of the church, and by the ideas he has of them turns them into falsities.

This subject, that is, the conjunction of the spiritual man with the natural man, and the separation of the natural man from the spiritual, is much treated of in the Word, especially where treating concerning Egypt, inasmuch as by "Egypt" is signified the natural man as well conjoined, with the spiritual man as separate thereto, and where the natural man, is treated of separate from the spiritual, Egypt, is rebuked and rejected. Whereas "Egypt", in an extensive sense, signifies the natural man, therefore the true scientific and the false scientific is also thereby signified, for truths and falsities in the natural man are called scientifics; and whereas scientifics true and false are signified by "Egypt", faith is also thereby signified, inasmuch as faith, is of truth, and truth is of faith, whence faith conjoined to charity is also signified by "Egypt" in a good sense, and faith separate from charity in the opposite sense; for faith is conjoined to charity when the spiritual man is conjoined with the natural, and then by "Egypt" is signified the true scientific; but faith is separate from charity when the natural man is separate from the spiritual, and then by "Egypt" is signified the false scientific; for when the natural man is separate from the spiritual, man has then no truths, and if he imbibes truths from the Word or from the doctrine of the church he still falsifies them by the ideas of his thought, whence all truth with him becomes false. So far concerning the significations of "Egypt" in the Word; it shall now be demonstrated from the Word itself [and, especially from this chapter], that by "Egypt." [in a good sense] is signified the natural man conjoined to the spiritual, or, the scientific vivified by the influx of spiritual light, or, what is the same, faith conjoined to charity, which in itself is faith; and afterwards it shall also be, demonstrated that by "Egypt", in the opposite sense, is signified the natural man separate from the spiritual, or the scientific not vivified by any influx of spiritual life, or, what is the same, faith separate from charity, which in itself is not faith. Apocalypse Explained 654.

That by "Mizraim", or Egypt, are, in the Word, signified sciences, or various scientifics, applied to explore the arcana of faith, and thence to confirm preconceived principles of the false; and that it also signifies simply sciences, and thus such as are useful, appears from this chapter from beginning to end, and also from many other passages too numerous to quote here. Arcana Coelestia 1165.

That "Egypt" is the science of knowledges in respect to the Lord, but science in general in respect to other men, may appear from its siguification in the Word. For the Ancient Church was seated in Egypt, as in rnany other places; and when the church was there, sciences, above everything else, flourished in that country; whence by "Egypt" is signified science. But after they became desirous to enter by sciences into the mysteries of faith, and thus from their own power to explore the truth of divine arcana, then they became addicted to magic, and by "Egypt" were signified scientifics which pervert, whence come falsities, and from these evils, as appears from Isaiah 19:11. That by " Egypt" are signified useful sciences, and thus, in the present case, that science of knowledges which is capable of serving as recipient vessels for things celestial and spiritual, may appear from the following passages in the Word:

"They have caused Egypt to err, the corner-stone of the tribes"; (Isaiah 19:13) where it is called "the corner-stone of the tribes", as serving for a support to the things belonging to faith, which are signified by "tribes." Again, in the same prophet, "In that day shall five cities in the land of Egypt speak the language of Canaan, and swear to Jehovah of Hosts. In that day there shall be an altar to Jehovah in the midst of the land of Egypt, and a pillar by the border thereof to Jehovah; and it shall be for a sign and for a witness to Jehovah of Hosts in the land of Egypt, for they shall cry unto Jehovah because of the oppressors, and He shall send them a Saviour and a Prince, and He shall deliver them, And Jehovah shall be known to Egypt, and the Egyptians shall know Jehovah in that day, and shall offer sacrifice and oblation, and they shall vow a vow unto Jehovah, and shall perform it. And Jehovah shall smite Egypt, smiting and healing her; and they shall turn unto Jehovah, and He will be entreated of them, and will heal them." (Isaiah 19:18-22)

Speaking of "Egypt" in a good sense, to denote those who are attached to scientifics, or natural truths, which are the vessels of spiritual truths.

Again, in the same prophet, "In that day there shall be a highway- from Egypt to Assyria; and the Assyrian shall come into Egypt, and the Egyptian into Assyria: and the Egyptian shall serve with the Assyrian. In that day shall Israel be a third, together with Egypt and Assyria; a blessing in the midst of the land, whom Jehovah of Hosts shall bless, saying, Blessed be My people, Egypt, and Assyria, the work of My hands; and Israel, Mine inheritance !" (Isaiah 19:23-25)

Where, by "Egypt", is signified the science of natural truths, by "Assyria" reason or things rational, and by "Israel? things spiritual, - which succeed each other in orderly arrangement; wherefore it is said that "in that day there shall be a highway from Egypt to Assyria, and lsrael shall be a third together with Egypt and Assyria."

So in Ezekiel:

"Fine linen in broidered work from Egypt was your spreading forth, that it might be to you for a flag"; (Ezekiel 27:7) speaking of "Tyre", by which is signified the possession of knowledges; "fine linen in broidered work" denotes the truths of sciences which are of service: scientifics, as belonging to the external man, ought to serve the internal.

Again, in the same prophet, "Thus says the Lord Jehovih: At the end of forty years I will gather Egypt from the people whither they were scattered, and I will bring again the captivity of Egypt"; (Ezekiel 20:9, 13, 14) where "Egypt", has a like signification.

So in Zechariah:

"And it shall come to pass, that whoso will not coming up of the families of the earth unto Jerusalem to worship the King Jehovah Zebaoth, even upon them, shall be no rain; and if the family of Egypt go not up, and come not"; (Zechariah 14:17, 18),

where "Egypt" also is used in a good sense, and has the same signification.

That science, or human wisdom, is signified by "Egypt", may appear likewise in Daniel, where the sciences of things celestial and spiritual are called "the treasures of gold and silver", and also "the precious things of Egypt." (Daniel 11:43)

It is said also of Solomon, that his "wisdom excelled the wisdom of all the children of the east, and all the wisdom of Egypt." (1 Kings 4:30)

The house built by Solomon for Pharaoh's daughter was representative of this alone. (1 Kings 7:8)

The Lord's being brought into Egypt when an infant had no other signification than what is here [Genesis xii.] signified by "Abram"; it being also done that He might "fulfil all things which were represented concerning Him." The emigration of Jacob and his sons into Egypt represented nothing else, in the inmost sense, but the Lord's first instruction in knowledges from the Word; as appears from the following passages.

Concerning the Lord it is thus written in Matthew:

"The angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream, saying, Arise, and take the young Child and His mother, and flee into Egypt, and be you there until I bring you word. When he arose, he took the young Child and His mother by night, and departed into Egypt; and was there until the death of Herod: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying, Out of Egypt have I called My Son"; (Matthew 2:13-15) of which it is thus written in Hosea:

"When Israel 'was a child, then I loved him, and out of Egypt have I called My Son." (Hosea 11:1)

Hence it appears that by the child "Israel" is meant the Lord, and that His instruction when a child is signified by these words - "Out of Egypt have I called My Son."

So again in the same prophet:

"By a prophet Jehovah brought Israel out of Egypt, and by a prophet was he preserved"; (Hosea 12:13, 14) where, in like manner, by "Israel" is meant the Lord; by a "prophet" is signified one that teaches, consequently, the doctrine of knowledges.

So in David:

"Turn us again, O God of Hosts, and cause Your face to shine, and we shall be saved. You have brought a vine out of Egypt; You have cast out the nations, and planted it"; (Psalm 80:7, 8) speaking also of the Lord, who is called "a vine out of Egypt", in respect to the knowledges in which He was instructed. Arcana Coelestia 1462.

Behold, Jehovah rideth on a light cloud, and He cometh to Egypt! and the idols of Egypt shall be moved, etc. - Where by "Egypt" is not meant [literally] Egypt, but, the natural man separate from the spiritual, who is then in falsities and evils, and thereby perverts all the Truths and Goods of the church; that those falsities and evils destroy him, when Truth from Good flows in from the Lord, is described by these words of the prophet, understood in the internal sense. "Jehovah rideth on a light cloud", signifies that the Lord enlightens the understanding with truths; to "ride", when predicated of Jehovah, or the Lord, denotes to enlighten the understanding, and a "light cloud" signifies the Truth: that in such case the "idols of Egypt are moved, and, the heart of the Egyptian melteth", signifies that the evils and falsities which are of the natural man separate from the spiritual then destroy him:

"idols" denoting falsities, the "heart" denoting evils, and "Egypt", the natural man. This signification of a cloud is evident from appearances in the spiritual world: likewise from the Word, where "clouds" are mentioned. From appearances in the spiritual world thus, - the universal angelic heaven consists solely of the Divine Truth which proceeds from the Lord, the reception whereof makes them angels. In the supreme heaven this Truth appears as the pure aura, which is called ether; in the inferior heaven as less pure, almost as the atmosphere, which is called air : -in the lowest heaven it appears as a thin watery [element], upon which is vapour like a cloud. Such is the appearance of the divine Truth according to degrees in descent. There is a similar appearance when the angels of the superior heavens speak concerning divine Truths; their discourse in such case being presented to the view of those who are in the lowest heaven under the aspect of a cloud, which floats hither and thither, whilst the more intelligent amongst them know, from its gliding or floating, its brightness and form, what the angels of the superior heavens are discoursing about with each other; hence it may appear whence it is that a "cloud" signifies divine Truth in ultimates. Apocalypse Explained 594.

That the Lord comes in "clouds" to judgment, see Matthew 24:30.

Verses 1-15. The burden, concerning Egypt, etc. - That by "Egypt", in a bad sense, is signified the natural principle of man separate from his spiritual, may appear also from these words viewed in their internal sense; and a man becomes merely natural whe in his life he does not look to the Lord, but only to himself and to the world, whence he comes into the conceit of self-derived intelligence, which is common with the learned, who thereby pervert their rational principle, and shut the spiritual rnind. In order that it may be known that the natural man is signified by "Egypt", self-derived intelligence by "the river thereof", and falsities by "the waters of the river of Egypt", we will explain in a series the things, which are here summarily adduced from that chapter. "Jehovah rideth on a light cloud, and cometh into Egypt", signifies the visitation of the natural man from divine Truth spiritual-natural; for visitation is inquisition into the quality of man, and inquisition is effected by divine Truth; a "light cloud" denotes the divine Truth spiritual-natural, from which it appears what is the quality of man as to his natural principle, whence the "idols of Egypt shall be moved at His presence, and the heart of Egypt shall melt in the midst of her", signifies a heap and crowd of falsities in the natural man, whence worship is derived, and his terror on account of visitation. "I will shut up the Egyptians in the hand of a hard lord, and a fierce king shall rule over them", signifies that the evil of the false and the false of evil shall reign therein; a "hard lord" denoting the evil of the false and a "fierce king" the false of evil. Then "the waters shall fail from the sea, and the rivers shall be wasted and dried up", signifies that in that case there shall not be any truths in the natural man, nor any intelligence thence derived. "And the streams shall recede, the rivers of Egypt shall be dried up", signifies that it shall turn itself from truths to falsities, whence intelligence, being without truths from the light of the spiritual man, will become dead. "The reed and the flags shall wither", signifies that all perception of truth and good from the sense of the letter of the Word, otherwise appertaining to the sensual man, will vanish. Therefore "the fishermen shall mourn, and all they that cast the hook into the rivers shall be sad, and they that spread the net on the face of the waters shall lauguish", signifies that they who teach and instruct will labour in vain by truths from the Word to reform the natural man; "fishermen and they who spread the net on the face of the waters" denoting those that teach and instruct natural men from the Word, specifically from the literal sense thereof; "fish" signify knowledges thence derived, and to be "sad" and to "languish" denote labouring. "They that work threads of silk, and they that weave curtains, shall be confounded", signifies those who teach spiritual truths in a natural manner:

"threads of silk" denoting truths, "curtains" natural truths from a spiritual origin; and to "work and weave them" is to teach. "How will you say unto Pharaoh, I am the son of the wise, the son of the kings of antiquity? Where are they; where, your wise ones?" signifies that the wisdom and intelligence of the natural man from the spiritual are perished, for the natural man is formed to receive intelligence and wisdom. from the spiritual man, which takes place when both act as a one, like cause and effect. "'the princes of Zoan are become fools; the princes of Noph are taken away", signifies, that the truths of wisdom and intelligence derived from spiritual light in the natural man are turned into the falsities of insanity; "Zoan" and "Noph" were in the land of Egypt, and signified the illustration of the natural man from spiritual light: and "they have caused Egypt to err, the corner-stone of the tribes", signifies that the natural man was perverted, in which, notwithstanding, all the goods and the truths of the church have their foundation. "Nor shall there be any work in Egypt, which the head or tail, the branch or rush can perform", signifies that they have no longer any intelligence, nor science of truth, consequently, no truth, either spiritual or natural; Apocalypse Explained 654.

The idols of Egypt. - As to the meaning of "idols", see above, Chapter 2:20, the Exposition.

2. And I will mingle the Egyptians with the Egyptians: and they shall fight, every man against his brother, and every man against his neighbour; city against city, kingdom against kingdom.

Verse 2. By the "Egyptian" here is signified the natural man separate from the spiritual, who, inasmuch as he is in no light of Truth, disputes continually concerning what is good and evil, and concerning what is true and false: and that disputation is signified by "I will mingle the Egyptians with the Egyptians, and they shall fight, every man against his brother, and every man against his neighbour"; by "brother" and "neighbour" is signified Good from which is Truth, and Truth from Good, and, in the opposite sense, evil from which is the false, and the false from evil; wherefore it is also said "city against city, kingdom against kingdom"; "city" denoting doctrine, and "kingdom" the church from it, which, in like manner, were about to combat with each other. Apocalypse Explained 746.

The crowds of falsities appertaining to a man (when his external is separated. from his internal, as is signified by "Egypt" in this case), reasoning and combating against the truths of the spiritual mall, is signified by "I will mingle the Egyptians with the Egyptians, andthey shall fight", etc. A "man" and his "brother" signify Truth and Good, and, in the opposite sense, the false and evil; and a "man" and his "neighbour" signify truths amongst themselves, and, in the opposite sense, falsities among themselves, This dissension and this combat take place when falsities reign, inasmuch as falsities continually dispute with falsities, but not truths with truths. That similar contentions of the doctrines among themselves, or of churches among themselves, will take place, is signified by "city shall fight against city, and kingdom against kingdom"; "city" denoting doctrine, and "kingdom" the church thence derived. Apocalypse Explained 734. See also Arcana Coelestia 2547.

3. And the spirit of Egypt shall fail in the midst of her; and I will swallow up her counsel: and they shall seek to the idols, and to the sorcerers, and to them that have familiar spirits, and to the wizards:

Verse 3. Familiar spirits. - See above, Chapter 8:19, the Exposition:

4. And I will shut up the Egyptians in the hand of a hard lord; and a fierce king shall rule over them, says the Lord, Jehovah of Hosts.

Verse 4, 5. By the "Egyptians" are here signified the knowledges which belong to the natural man; by the "hard lord in whose hand they shall be shut up", is signified the evil of self-love; by a "fietce king", the false principle thence derived. By "the waters failing from the sea", is signified that although there is an abundance of knowledges, or scientifics, still there are no truths [in such minds]; and by "the rivers being wasted and dried up", is meant that there is no doctrine of Truth, and hence no intelligence. Apocalypse Explained 275.

Jehovah of Hosts. - See above, Chapter 1:9, 24, the Exposition.

5. And the waters shall fail from the sea, and the rivers shall be wasted and dried up.

Verses 5-7. These things are said concerning "Egypt", whereby is signified the scientific principles which is of the natural man; and by "the rivers thereof" is signified the knowledge and apperception of truth; that these would perish, is signified by "the stream being wasted and dried up"; that thus there would be no longer any truths, not even such as are natural and sensual, which are the lowest of all, is signified by "the reed and the flags withering, the papyrus by the stream, and fill that is sown by the river, withering, and being driven away, so as to beno more." Apocalypse Explained 518; See also Arcana Coelestia 9755.

6. And the streams shall recede; the rivers of Egypt shall be diminished and dried up: the reed and the flags shall wither.

Verse 6. By these words, in the spiritual sense, is understood that all intelligence of divine Truth should perish. "The streams shall recede", signifies . that all things of spiritual intelligence shall depart; "the rivers of Egypt shall be diminished and dried up", signifies that all things of natural. intelligence shall perish; "the reed and the flags shall wither", signifies that ultimate truth, which is called sensual, and is only scientific, shall vanish; "streams and rivers" denote the things appertaining to intelligence. "Egypt" is the natural principle; the reed and flags", scientific sensual truth, or the sensual scientific principle; to "recede", "diminish", "dry up", and to "wither", denote to perish and disappear. Apocalypse Explained 627.

Verses 6-8. And the streams shall recede, and the fishermen shall mourn, etc. - By the "river and streams of Egypt" are not signified a river, nor by "fishermen" flshermen; but other things are thereby signified, which do not appear except it be known what is signified by "Egypt", and by its" river", and by "fishermen." If these things are known, then the sense becomes evident. Arcana Coelestia 6693.

7. The papyrus by the river, even at the mouth of the river, and all that is sown by the river, shall wither, be driven away, and be no more.

8. And the fishermen shall mourn, and all they that cast the hook into the rivers shall be sad, and they that spread the net on the face of the waters shall languish.

Verse 8. And the fishermen shall mourn, and all they that cast the hook into the rivers shall be sad, etc. - Where, by "the fishermen who cast the hook into the rivers, and spread the net", are understood those who desire to procure to themselves knowledges, and thereby intelligence; in this case, that they are not able to procure these knowledges by reason of there not being anywhere any knowledge of Truth. Apocalypse Explained 513.

A "fisherman", in the spiritual sense of the Word, signifies a man who investigates and teaches natural truths, and afterwards spiritual truths in a rational manner, as may be demonstrated from these passages:

"The fishermen shall mourn, and all they that cast the hook", etc. (Isaiah 19:8)

In another place it is said respecting the sea whose waters were healed, "The fishers shall stand upon it from Engedi even unto En-eglaim; they shall be present to spread forth nets; their fish shall be according to their kinds, as the fish of the great sea, exceeding many." (Ezekiel 47:10)

And in another place, "Behold, I will send for many fishers, says Jehovah, and they shall fish them."(Jeremiah 16:16) . Hence it is evident why the Lord chose fishermen for His disciples, and said "Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men"; (Matthew 4:18, 19; Mark 1:16, 17) and He said to Peter, after he had caught a rnultitude of fishes, "Henceforth you shalt catch men." (Luke 5:10)

The origin of this signification of "fishermen" may be seen demonstrated in the Apocalypse Revealed namely, that since "water" signifies natural truths, (n. 50, 932) as does also a "river"; (n. 409, 932) a "fish" signifies those who are in possesslon of natural truths; (n. 405.) and thence" fishermen", those who investigate and teach truths. Doct. of Influx, 20.

9. And they that work threads of silk, and they that weave curtains, shall be confounded.

Verse 9. Here, as said of Egypt in a bad sense, to "work threads of silk", signifies to feign or counterfeit truths. That "flax" [linum], or linen, signifies Truth, is from representatives in heaven, for in heaven they who are in the Truth of the natural principle, that is, from a spiritual origin, appear clothed in white, which white appears as of [fine] linen. The Truth itself of the rational principle is also there represented as texture of the purer [or finer] threads of flax, which threads appear like the threads of silk, splendid, beautifully translucent [or shining], and soft; and the garment from those silky threads appears in like manner, if the Truth thus represented is from Good. On the contrary, those threads which are like the threads of linen do not appear translucent, nor splendid, nor soft, but as hard and fragile, but still white, if the Truth which is thus represented, is not from Good. From this it is evident why angels appeared in "linen and shining garments." (Matthew 28:3; John 20:11, 12) Arcana Coelestia 7601.

10. And her foundations shall he broken up; all that make a gain of pools for fish [shall be confounded].

11. Surely, the princes of Zoan are fools; [as to] the wise counsellors of Pharaoh, their counsel has become brutish. How will you say unto Pharaoh, I am the son of the wise, the son of the kings of antiquity?

12. Where are they; where, your wise ones? let them now tell you, and let them know what Jehovah of Hosts has determined upon Egypt.

Verse 10. All that make a gain of pools for fish [animae, see note], etc. - "Pools for fish" [animae] signify those things which are of intelligence from knowledges; and because Egypt is here treated of "pools for fish" are those things which are of intelligence from the scientifics of the church; for Egypt is a type of those scientifics which are knowledges, but in an inferior degree. Arcana Coelestia 7324.

[That to "make a gain" of these things, is to investigate, to learn, and to teach truths from merely selfish and mercenary motives relating to honour and gain, see above. Chapter 16:14, the Exposition; see also the note, In which the "foundations being broken up" is explained.]

That the "fish-pool of Siloam" signifies the Word in the sense of the letter, is evident from Isaiah 8:6; (see above, the Exposition, p. 88.) and, in general, the "fish-pools" that were at Jerusalem. A.. Apocalypse Explained 239.

Verses 11, 12. The princes of Zoan are fools; the wise counsellors of Pharaoh have become brutish, etc. - "Pharaoh" signifies here the scientific principle of the church in general; hence he is called "the son of the kings of antiquity", -the "wise" and the "kings of antiquity for the truths of the ancient church. But that scientific principle is here understood to be infatuated, or foolish, for it is said, "The princes of Zoan are fools; their counsel has become brutish." " !hat Pharaoh is here called "the son of the kings of antiquity, is because the scientifics, signified by "Egypt", were from the truths of the ancient church. Arcana Coelestia 5044. 6015.

By the "wisdom " of Egypt nothing else is signified than the science of natural things, and by "magic" the science of spiritual things; thus by "the wise of Egypt" are understood exterior scientifics, and by "the magi of Egypt" interior scientifics, and by "Egypt" itself, scence In general. Arcana Coelestia 5223.

13. The princes of Zoan are become fools, the princes of Noph are deceived; and they have caused Egypt to err, the corner-stone of her tribes.

14. Jehovah has mingled in the midst of her a spirit of perversities; and they have caused Egypt to err in all her works, as a drunkard staggers in his vomit:

15. Nor shall there be any work in Egypt, which the head or tail, the branch or rush, can perform.

Verse 13. The princes of Zoan and Noph, etc. - Zoan and Noph were ancient places in Egypt, (Numb. Xlll. 22.) the princes of which being "taken away" [or deceived], signified that ancient wisdom was taken away, and that Egypt was led astray. (Swedenborg's Notes on Isaiah, p. 46.)

Verse 14. Jehovah has mingled in the midst of her [Egypt] a spirit of perversities, etc. - By "Egypt" is signified the science of things as well spiritual as natural; by "mingling in the midst thereof the spirit of perversities" is signified to pervert and falsify those things"; by "the drunkard" are signified those who are insane in spiritual things; and inasmuch as truths commingled with falsities are cast out [like vomit], it is therefore said, "Even as a drunkard staggers In his vomit." Apocalypse Explained 235.

As a drunkard staggers in his vomit. - I have spoken with spirits respecting "drunkenness", and it was declared by them to be an enormous sin; for a man thereby becomes a brute, and is no longer a man, because a man is a man by virtue of his intellectual faculty, which, when destroyed, he becomes a brute. Moreover, by drunkenness he brings destruction upon his body, and hastens his death; besides which, he destroys in luxury what would be of use to others. Wherefore drunkenness appears so filthy to spirits, that they abhor such a life which, nevertheless, mortals [in this age] have permitted among themselves as belonging to civil life. June 27, 1748. Spiritual Diary, 2422.

As to what "strong drink" signifies, see above, Chapter 5:11, 22, the Exposition.

For the signification of "drunkenness", in its spiritual sense, see below" Chapter 28:1-8, the Exposition.

Verse 15. Nor shall there be any work in Egypt, which the head or tail, the branch or rush, can do. - By "Egypt" is signified the science as well of spiritual things as of natural; by "there being no work for it which the head and the tail can do", is signified that it has no spiritual things, nor natural things, by which the spiritual are confirmed; the "head" denoting the knowledges of things spiritual, by which comes intelligence, and the "tail" natural scientifics, which are serviceable to things spiritual as means of intelligence; similar things are signified by "the branch and the rush" the "branch" denoting spiritual truth, and the "rush" the sensual scientific, which is ultimate truth; for if the former and the latter, or first and ultimate principles, do not make one in man, he has not "the head and the tail", [that is, he is not a perfect man.] Apocalypse Explained 559.

16. In that day Egypt shall be as women; it shall tremble and be afraid at the shaking of the hand of Jehovah of Hosts, which He shall shake over it.

Verse 16. - "Women", in a good sense, signify those who are in good from the affection of Truth, and in the opposite sense [as in this passage], those who are in evils from the affection of the false. Apocalypse Explained 55.

Shall tremble at the shaking of the hand of Jehovah. - What is meant by "the stretched out hand of Jehovah", see above, Chapter 5:25, the Exposition.

17. And the land of Judah shall be a terror to Egypt; everyone that makes mention thereof unto them shall tremble, because of the counsel of Jehovah of Hosts, which He has determined against it.

Verse 17. The land of Judah shall be a terror to Egypt, etc. - The "land of Judah" is faith from a celestial origin, separate from the proper intelligence of man. Here it signifies heaven and the church. Whilst the natural man is being regenerated, especially when he is in false principles, at the approach of heaven, or of heavenly influences, as at the time of judgment, he is borne away with terror. (See Swedenborg's Notes on Isaiah, p. 47.)

Verses 18, 19. In that day there shall be five cities in the land of Egypt, speaking the language of Canaan, etc. "Five cities in the land of Egypt, speaking the language of Canaan", signify truths of doctrine in abundance, according to the genuine truths of the church; "five" denote many, or abundance; "cities" denote truths of doctrine; "the lip [or language] of Canaan" signifies the genuine truths of the church. The "altar to Jehovah" means worship from the good of love. Apocalypse Explained 223.

18. In that day there shall be five cities in the land of Egypt speaking the language of Canaan, and swearing unto Jehovah of Hosts; one of them shall be called, The city of the Sun.

19. In that day there shall be an altar to Jehovah in the midst of the land of Egypt; and a pillar by the border thereof to Jehovah:

20. And it shall be for a sign and for a witness to Jehovah of Hosts in the land of Egypt; for they shall cry unto Jehovah because of oppressors, and He shall send unto them a Saviour and a Prince, and He shall deliver them.

Verses 18-25. The land of Egypt, etc. - Here "Egypt" is put for the natural man conjoining to the spiritual, thus for the nations and people who were without the church, and who, not being in truths, were natural men, but who, when they heard the Gospel, acknowledged the Lord, and, being thence instructed in the truths of doctrine, received faith. The advent of the Lord is understood by "in that day", which is here five times mentioned, "In that day there shall be five cities in the land of Egypt, speaking with the language of Canaan", signifies that there shall be with them several doctrinals, according to the truths of the doctrine of the church itself; "five" denoting several:

"cities", doctrinals; the "land of Egypt", the church of such nations; and the "lip [or language] of Canaan", the truths of the doctrine of the church. "Everyone shall be called, The city Cherez" [or, of the Sun], signifies the doctrine of the good of charity in everyone; "city" denoting doctrine, and "Cherez", which, in the Hebrew tongue, signifies the sun and the beaming of its splendour, denotes the good of charity, and faith thence derived. "In that day there shall be an altar to Jehovah in the midst of the land of Egypt, and a pillar by the border thereof to Jehovah", signifies the worship of the Lord from the goods of charity, and thence from the truths of faith, in all things appertaining to the natural man; by the "altar to Jehovah" is signified worship from the good of charity, and by the "pillar" worship from the truths of faith; by "in the midst of the land of Egypt", is signified everywhere and in all things of the natural man; and by the "border" or boundary, scientific truth. "They shall cry unto Jehovah because of oppressors, and He shall send unto them a Saviour and a Prince", signifies their grief on account of the defect or want of truth, and thence of spiritual good, and the advent of the Lord, from whom they will receive them; to "cry" denotes grief; "oppressors" signify the want of truth, and thence of spiritual good; and "Saviour and Prince" signify the Lord, who is called "Saviour" from the Good of love, and "Prince" from the Truth of faith. "Jehovah shall be known to Egypt, and the Egyptians shall know Jehovah in that day", signifies the acknowledgement of the Lord, and of His Divine [Principle]; and "they shall offer sacrifice and oblation", signifies the worship of the Lord according to His precepts from the Word, thus from truths of doctrine and from the good of love. "And Jehovah shall smite Egypt, smiting and healing her; and they shall turn unto Jehovah, and He will be entreated of them, and will heal them", signifies temptations, and thus conversion and healing from falsities by truths. "In that day there shall be a highway from Egypt to Assyria; and the Assyrian shall come into Egypt, and the Egyptian into Assyria, signifies that then the rational principle shall be opened to them by scientific truths, and man shall view the scientifics appertaining to the natural man rationally, and thus intelligently; "Egypt" is the scientific principle which appertains to the natural man, and "Assyria" is the rational.

"In that day Israel shall be a third, together with Egypt and Assyria, a blessing in the midst of the land", signifies influx into each from spiritual light; "Israel" is the spiritual man who has light from heaven; "Egypt" is the natural man who has light from the world; and "Assyria" is the rational man who is middle or mediate, and who receives light from the spiritual, and transmits it into the natural, whom it thereby illustrates.

"Whom Jehovah of Hosts shall bless", signifies influx from the Lord; "saying, Blessed be My people, Egypt", signifies the natural man Illustrated; and "AssyrIa, the work of My hands", signifies the rational, not from self, but from the Lord; and "Israel, Mine inheritance", signifies the spiritual man, who is called "inheritance" because all the spiritual principle is of the Lord, for it is His Divine Proceeding, from which is heaven and the church. Without such spiritual sense, how could these prophecies be understood? Apocalypse Explained 654. See also Arcana Coelestia 6017.

21. And Jehovah shall be known to Egypt, and the Egyptians shall know Jehovah in that day; and they shall offer sacrifice and oblation, and they shall vow a vow unto Jehovah, and shall perform it.

22. And Jehovah shall smite Egypt, smiting and healing her; and they shall turn unto Jehovah, and He will be entreated of them, and will heal them.

Verse 21. They shall vow a vow unto the Lord, and shall perform it. - By "vowing a vow" denotes, in the internal sense, to will that the Lord may provide; hence in the supreme sense, in which the Lord is treated of, it denotes a state of Providence. The reason why "vowing a vow", in the internal sense, denotes to will that the Lord may provide, is grounded in this, that in vows there is a desire and an affection that what is willed may come to pass, thus that the Lord may provide. Somewhat also of stipulation is implied, and at the same time somewhat of debt on the part of man, which he engages to discharge in case he comes to possess the object of his wish" Arcana Coelestia 3732.

23. In that day there shall be a highway from Egypt to Assyria; and the Assyrian shall come into Egypt, and the Egyptian into Assyria: and the Egyptian shall serve with the Assyrian.

24. In that day Israel shall be a third, together with Egypt and Assyria; a blessing in the midst of the land:

25. Whom Jehovah of Hosts shall bless, saying, Blessed be My people, Egypt; and Assyria, the work of My hands; and Israel, Mine inheritance!

Verses 23-25. By "Israel, Assyria, and Egypt", are signified the three principles which appertain to the men of the church, namely, the spiritual, rational, and scientific; by "Israel" the spiritual, by "Assyria" the rational, and by "Egypt" the scientific; inasmuch as all the rational principle of man is formed by scientifics, and both from the spiritual, which is out of heaven from the Lord, for all intelligence of truth, and all applications of the sciences to truths, is thence. It is therefore said that "in that day there shall be a highway from Egypt to Assyria; and the Assyrian shall come into Egypt, and the Egyptian into Assyria: and the Egyptian shall serve with the Assyrian; and afterwards, that "Israel shall be a third, together with Egypt and Assyria; a blessing in the midst of the land"; the "midst" signifies the inmost, from which the rest or from which the whole is derived, as may be seen above. n. 213 and "land", or earth, denotes the church, where these things are; and, inasmuch as it is the spiritual [principle] from which the rational and scientific are applied to genuine truths, therefore Israel is called the "inheritance", or the heir of the house who possesses all things; and Assyria "the work of My hands", because the rational is thence formed; and Egypt is called "a people blessed", because in the scientific, as In their ultimate, all things are together; hence also it is evident that by "blessing", in the Word, is understood spiritual blessing. Apocalypse Explained 340. .

By these words, in their spiritual sense, is signified that, at the time of the Lord's coming, the scientific, the rational, and the spiritual should make a one, and that then the scientific should serve the rational, and both the spiritual. By the repetition of the words "in that day", is meant the first and second coming of the Lord True Christian Religion 200.

How a man thinks, and how angels think, when these words are read, can be evident from the literal sense of the Word, and from its internal sense. A man, from the literal sense, thinks that the EgyptIans and Assyrians are to be converted to God, and accepted, and that they will make one with the Israelitish people. But the angels think, when these words are read, according to the internal sense, respecting the man of the spiritual church, which in that sense is there described; whose spiritual principle is "Israel", whose natural is "Egypt", and whose rational, which is intermediate, is "Assyria." But both these senses make a one, because they correspond. Wherefore when the angels think thus spiritually, and man thus naturally, they are conjoined together almost like the soul and the body. The internal sense of the Word is also its soul, and the literal sense its body. Such a nature is the Word in every part; hence it is evident that it is the medium of conjoining heaven with man, and that the literal sense serves as a basis and foundation. Heaven and Hell 307.

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Isaiah Chapter 19

1. THE burden concerning Egypt. Behold, Jehovah rides on a light cloud, and He cometh to Egypt! and the idols of Egypt shall be moved at His presence; and the heart of Egypt shall melt in the midst of her.

2. And I will mingle the Egyptians with the Egyptians: and they shall fight, every man against his brother, and every man against his neighbour; city against city, kingdom against kingdom.

3. And the spirit of Egypt shall fail in the midst of her; and I will swallow up her counsel: and they shall seek to the idols, and to the sorcerers, and to them that have familiar spirits, and to the wizards:

4. And I will shut up the Egyptians in the hand of a hard lord; and a fierce king shall rule over them, says the Lord, Jehovah of Hosts.

5. And the waters shall fail from the sea, and the rivers shall be wasted and dried up.

6. And the streams shall recede; the rivers of Egypt shall be diminished and dried up: the reed and the flags shall wither.

7. The papyrus by the river, even at the mouth of the river, and all that is sown by the river, shall wither, be driven away, and be no more.

8. And the fishermen shall mourn, and all they that cast the hook into the rivers shall be sad, and they that spread the net on the face of the waters shall languish.

9. And they that work threads of silk, and they that weave curtains, shall be confounded.

10. And her foundations shall he broken up; all that make a gain of pools for fish [shall be confounded].

11. Surely, the princes of Zoan are fools; [as to] the wise counsellors of Pharaoh, their counsel has become brutish. How will you say unto Pharaoh, I am the son of the wise, the son of the kings of antiquity?

12. Where are they; where, your wise ones? let them now tell you, and let them know what Jehovah of Hosts has determined upon Egypt.

13. The princes of Zoan are become fools, the princes of Noph are deceived; and they have caused Egypt to err, the corner-stone of her tribes.

14. Jehovah has mingled in the midst of her a spirit of perversities; and they have caused Egypt to err in all her works, as a drunkard staggers in his vomit:

15. Nor shall there be any work in Egypt, which the head or tail, the branch or rush, can perform.

16. In that day Egypt shall be as women; it shall tremble and be afraid at the shaking of the hand of Jehovah of Hosts, which He shall shake over it.

17. And the land of Judah shall be a terror to Egypt; everyone that makes mention thereof unto them shall tremble, because of the counsel of Jehovah of Hosts, which He has determined against it.

18. In that day there shall be five cities in the land of Egypt speaking the language of Canaan, and swearing unto Jehovah of Hosts; one of them shall be called, The city of the Sun.

19. In that day there shall be an altar to Jehovah in the midst of the land of Egypt; and a pillar by the border thereof to Jehovah:

20. And it shall be for a sign and for a witness to Jehovah of Hosts in the land of Egypt; for they shall cry unto Jehovah because of oppressors, and He shall send unto them a Saviour and a Prince, and He shall deliver them.

21. And Jehovah shall be known to Egypt, and the Egyptians shall know Jehovah in that day; and they shall offer sacrifice and oblation, and they shall vow a vow unto Jehovah, and shall perform it.

22. And Jehovah shall smite Egypt, smiting and healing her; and they shall turn unto Jehovah, and He will be entreated of them, and will heal them.

23. In that day there shall be a highway from Egypt to Assyria; and the Assyrian shall come into Egypt, and the Egyptian into Assyria: and the Egyptian shall serve with the Assyrian.

24. In that day Israel shall be a third, together with Egypt and Assyria; a blessing in the midst of the land:

25. Whom Jehovah of Hosts shall bless, saying, Blessed be My people, Egypt; and Assyria, the work of My hands; and Israel, Mine inheritance!

2799. 'And he took in his hand the fire and the knife' means the good of love and the truth of faith. This is clear from the meaning of 'the fire' as the good of love, dealt with in 934, and from the meaning of 'the knife' as the truth of faith. As regards 'the knife' used on the victims in sacrifices meaning the truth of faith, this may be seen from the meaning of 'a sword' or 'a small sword' in the Word, for the expression 'small sword' is used instead of 'knife'. Both have the same meaning, the only difference being that 'a knife' which was used on sacrificial victims meant the truth of faith, whereas 'a sword' meant truth engaged in conflict. Now since the word 'knife' occurs but rarely in the Word, for a hidden reason given below, ¹ let the meaning of 'a sword' be shown. In the internal sense 'a sword' means the truth of faith engaged in conflict, and also the vastation of truth; and in the contrary sense it means falsity engaged in conflict and the punishment of falsity.

[2] A sword means the truth of faith engaged in conflict This becomes clear from the following places: In David,

Gird Your sword on Your thigh, O Mighty One; prosper in Your glory and honour, ride on the word of truth, and Your right hand will teach You marvellous things. Psalms 45:3-4.

This refers to the Lord. 'Sword' stands for truth engaged in conflict. In the same author,

The merciful will exalt in glory, they will sing on their beds. The high praises of God will be in their throats and an extremely sharp sword in their hand. Psalms 149:5-6.

In Isaiah,

Jehovah called Me from the womb, from My mother's body ² He made mention of My name, and made My mouth like a sharp sword, and made Me into a polished arrow. Isaiah 49:1-2.

'A sharp sword' stands for truth engaged in conflict, 'a polished arrow' for the truth of doctrine, see 2686, 2709. In the same prophet,

Asshur will fall by a sword, not of man (vir); a sword, not of man (homo), will devour him; and he will flee before the sword, and his young men will become tributary. Isaiah 31:8.

'Asshur' stands for reasoning in Divine things, 119, 1186, 'a sword, not of man (vir)' and 'not of man (homo)' stand for falsity, 'the sword before which he will flee' stands for truth engaged in conflict.

[3] In Zechariah,

Turn to the stronghold, O prisoners of hope; even today I declare I will render double to you - I who have bent for Myself Judah as a bow, I have filled Ephraim, and have roused your sons, O Zion, against your sons, O Javan; and I will set you as the sword of one who is mighty, and Jehovah will appear over them, and His arrow will go forth like lightning. Zechariah 9:12-14.

'The sword of one who is mighty' stands for truth engaged in conflict. In John,

In the midst of the seven lampstands one like the Son of Man was holding in His right hand seven stars; out of His mouth a sharp two-edged sword was going forth, and His countenance was like the sun shining in full strength. Revelation 1:13, 16.

And further on,

These things says He who has the sharp two-edged sword, I will come to you quickly and engage in conflict with them with the sword of My mouth. Revelation 2:12, 16.

'A sharp two-edged sword' plainly stands for truth engaged in conflict, which was therefore represented as 'a sword going out of His mouth'.

[4] In the same book,

Out of the mouth of Him who sat on the white horse went forth a sharp sword, and with it He is to smite the nations. And they were slain by the sword of Him sitting on the horse, which went out of His mouth. Revelation 19:15, 21.

Here it is plain that 'a sword going out of His mouth' means truth engaged in conflict. The one 'sitting on the white horse' is the Word, and thus the Lord who is the Word; see above 2760-2763. This explains what the Lord says in Matthew,

Do not think that I have come to bring peace on to the earth; I have not come to bring peace, but a sword. Matthew 10:34.

And in Luke,

Now he who has a purse, let him take it, and likewise a bag. But he who has none, let him sell his garments and buy a sword. They said to Him, Behold, Lord, here are two swords. And Jesus said, It is enough. Luke 22:36-38.

'A sword' here is used to mean nothing else than the truth, from which and for which they were to engage in conflict.

[5] In Hosea,

I will make for them a covenant on that day with the wild animals of the field, and with the birds of the air, and the creeping things of the ground. And I will abolish ³ the bow, and the sword, and war from the land, and I will make them lie down in safety. Hosea 2:18.

Here the subject is the Lord's kingdom. 'Abolishing the bow, the sword, and war' means the absence of any conflict there over doctrine and truth. In Joshua,

Joshua lifted up his eyes and saw, and behold, a man was standing before him, with a sword drawn in his hand. He said to Joshua, I am the Prince of the army of Jehovah; and Joshua fell on his face to the earth. Joshua 5:13-14.

These words, which refer to the time when Joshua together with the children of Israel entered the land of Canaan, are used to mean the entry - of those who have faith - into the Lord's kingdom. Truth engaged in conflict, which is the Church's, is 'the sword drawn in the hand of the Prince of the army of Jehovah'.

[6] But as for 'small swords' or 'knives' meaning the truth of faith, this becomes clear from the fact that they were used not only in sacrifices but also in circumcision. Those used in circumcision were made of flint and were called 'small swords of flint', as is evident in Joshua,

Jehovah said to Joshua, Make small swords of flint for yourself; and again, circumcise the children of Israel a second time. And Joshua made small swords of flint for himself, and circumcised the children of Israel on the hill of the foreskins. Joshua 5:2-3.

'Circumcision' was a representative of purification from self-love and love of the world, see 2039, 2632. And because such purification is achieved by means of the truths of faith, 'small swords of flint' were therefore used, 2039 (end), 2046 (end).

[7] II A sword means the vastation of truth This is clear from the following places: In Isaiah,

These two will happen to you; who is to condole with you? Vastation and demolition, and famine and sword; who is to comfort you? Your sons fainted, they lay at the head of every street. Isaiah 51:19-20.

'Famine' stands for vastation of good, and 'sword' for vastation of truth. 'Lying at the head of every street' stands for being deprived of all truth. 'Street' means truth, 2336; and for what vastation is, see 301-304, 407, 408, 410, 411. In the same prophet,

I will destine ⁴ you for the sword, and all of you will bow down to the slaughter, because I called but you did not answer, I spoke but you did not listen. Isaiah 65:12.

[8] In the same prophet,

By fire Jehovah will judge, and by sword, all flesh; and the slain of Jehovah will be many. Isaiah 66:16.

'The slain of Jehovah' stands for those who have undergone vastation. In Jeremiah,

On all the hills in the wilderness those who cause devastation have come, for the sword of Jehovah is devouring from one end of the land even to the other end of the land. There is no peace for any flesh. They have sown wheat and reaped thorns. Jeremiah 12:12-13.

'The sword of Jehovah' plainly stands for the vastation of truth. In the same prophet,

They have lied against Jehovah and said, It is not He; and no evil will come upon us; neither shall we see sword and famine. And the prophets will become wind, and there is no utterance in them. Jeremiah 5:12-13.

[9] In the same prophet,

I am visiting them; the young men will die by the sword; their sons and their daughters will die by famine. Jeremiah 11:22.

In the same prophet,

When they offer burnt offering and minchah I will not accept them, for I am consuming them by sword and by famine and by pestilence. And I said, Ah, Lord Jehovih, behold, the prophets say to them, You will not see the sword, nor will you have famine. Jeremiah 14:12-13.

In the same prophet,

The city has been given into the hand of the Chaldeans fighting against it, in face of the sword, and famine, and pestilence. Jeremiah 32:24, 36.

In the same prophet,

I will send sword, famine, and pestilence upon them, until they are consumed from the ground which I gave to them and their fathers. Jeremiah 24:10.

[10] In these places vastation is described as 'sword, famine, and pestilence'. 'Sword' describes the vastation of truth, 'famine' the vastation of good, and 'pestilence' preying upon even to destruction. In Ezekiel,

Son of man, Take a sharp sword, use it as a barber's razor and pass it over your head and over your beard. And you are to take balances and you are to divide the hair. A third part you are to burn with fire in the midst of the city; a third part you are to strike with the sword round about it; and a third part you are to scatter to the wind, and I will unsheathe the sword after them. A third part will die of pestilence, and be consumed with famine in the midst [of you], and a third part will fall by the sword round about [you], and a third part I will scatter to every wind; and I will unsheathe the sword after them. Ezekiel 5:1-2, 12, 17.

This refers to the vastation of natural truth, which is described in this fashion. In the same prophet,

The sword is without, and pestilence and famine within; he that is in the field will die by the sword, and him that is in the city famine and pestilence will devour. Ezekiel 7:15.

[11] In the same prophet,

Say to the land of Israel, Thus said Jehovah, Behold, I am against you, and will draw My sword out of its sheath, and will cut off from you the righteous and the wicked. Because I will cut off from you the righteous and the wicked, therefore My sword will go out of its sheath against all flesh from south to north; and all flesh will know that I Jehovah have drawn My sword out of its sheath, and it will not return any more. The word of Jehovah came to me, saying, Son of man, prophesy and say, Thus said Jehovah, Say: A sword, a sword has been sharpened and also polished, sharpened, for great slaughter, so that it is polished to flash like lightning! Son of man, prophesy and say, Thus said the Lord Jehovih against the children of Ammon, and against their reproach, Say: A sword, a sword is bared for the slaughter, and polished to consume because [polished to shine like] lightning - while they see vanity for you, while they divine a lie for you. Ezekiel 21:3-5, 8-20, 28-29.

Here 'a sword' means nothing other than vastation, as is evident in the internal sense from each detail included here.

[12] In the same prophet,

The king of Babel will destroy your towers with his swords. By reason of the abundance of horses their dust will cover you; by reason of the noise of horsemen, and wheels, and chariots, your walls will be shaken. With the hoofs of his horses he will trample all your streets. Ezekiel 26:9-11.

What 'Babel' is, see 1326, and that it causes vastation, 1327. In David, If he does not turn back God will whet His sword, bend His bow, and make it ready. Psalms 7:12.

In Jeremiah,

I said, Ah, Lord, truly You have utterly deceived this people and Jerusalem, saying, You will have peace; but the sword has reached even to the soul. Jeremiah 4:10.

[13] In the same prophet,

Declare in Egypt, and cause it to be heard in Migdol, Stand up and prepare yourself, for the sword will devour round about you. Jeremiah 46:14.

In the same prophet,

A sword over the Chaldeans and against the inhabitants of Babel, and against her rulers, and against her wise men! A sword against the boasters, and they will become insane! A sword against her mighty men, and they will be dismayed! A sword against her horses, and against her chariots, and against the whole mingled crowd in her midst, and they will become as women! A sword against her treasures, and they will be plundered! A drought on her waters, and they will dry up! Jeremiah 50:35-38.

'A sword' plainly stands for the vastation of truth, for it is said to be 'a sword against the wise men, against the boasters, against the mighty men, against the horses and chariots, against the treasures', and that there will be 'a drought on the waters and they will dry up'.

[14] In the same prophet,

We have given the hand to Egypt, to Asshur to be satisfied with bread. Slaves have had dominion over us; there is nobody to free us from their hand. In [peril of] our souls we acquired our bread, in face of the sword of the wilderness. Lamentations 5:6, 8-9.

In Hosea,

He will not return to the land of Egypt, and Asshur will be his king, because they have refused to return to Me. And the sword will come down on his cities, and consume his bars, and devour because of their counsels. Hosea 11:5-6.

In Amos.

I have sent the pestilence upon you in the way of Egypt, I have slain your young men with the sword, along with your captured horses. ⁵ Amos 4:10.

'In the way of Egypt' stands for the facts which cause vastation when, on the basis of these, people reason in Divine things. 'Captured horses' stands for the understanding when stripped of its own inherent qualities.

[15] III A sword in the contrary sense means falsity engaged in conflict. This becomes clear in David,

As to my soul, I lie in the midst of lions setting on fire the children of men; their teeth are spear and arrows, and their tongues a sharp sword. Psalms 57:4.

In the same author,

Behold, they belch out with their mouths, swords are in their lips - for who hears? Psalms 59:7.

In Isaiah,

You are cast out from your sepulchre like an abominable stock, a garment of the slain pierced by the sword, who go down to the stones of the pit like a dead body trodden underfoot. Isaiah 14:19

This refers to Lucifer. In Jeremiah,

In vain have I smitten your sons, they took no correction Your own sword is devouring your prophets, like a ravaging lion. O generation, observe the Word of Jehovah, Have I been a wilderness to Israel? Jeremiah 2:30-31.

[16] In the same prophet,

Do not go out into the field, and do not walk on the road, for the enemy has a sword, terror is all around. Jeremiah 6:25-26.

In the same prophet,

Take the cup of the wine of wrath and make all the nations to which I send you drink it. And they will drink and reel, and go mad in face of the sword which I am sending among them. Drink and get drunk, and vomit, and fall, and do not get up again in face of the sword. Jeremiah 25:15-16, 27.

In the same prophet,

Go up, O horses; rage, O chariots; let the mighty men go forth, Cush and Put, that handle the shield, and the Ludim that handle and bend the bow. And that day is to the Lord Jehovih of hosts a day of vengeance. And the sword will devour, and be sated, and become drunk on their blood. Jeremiah 46:9-10.

[17] In Ezekiel,

They will strip you of your garments, and take the jewels ⁶ of your glory, and leave you naked and bare. And they will bring up an assembly upon you, and they will stone you with stones; they will run you through with their swords. Ezekiel 16:39-40.

This refers to the abominations of Jerusalem. In Zechariah,

Woe to the worthless shepherd, the deserter of the flock! The sword will fall upon his arm and upon his right eye. His arm will be wholly withered, and his right eye utterly darkened. Zechariah 11:17.

In Hosea,

They thought what was evil against Me. Their princes will fall by the sword for the rage of their tongue. This will be their derision in the land of Egypt. Hosea 7:15-16.

[18] In Luke,

There will be great distress over the earth, and wrath on that people; for they will fall by the edge of the sword, and will be led captive among all the gentiles; ⁷ at length Jerusalem will be trodden down by the gentiles. ⁷ Luke 21:23-24.

Here the Lord was referring to the close of the age - in the sense of the letter to the dispersion of the Jews and the destruction of Jerusalem, but in the internal sense to the final state of the Church. 'Falling by the edge of the sword' means that there was no truth any longer, but merely falsity. 'All the gentiles' means every kind of evil among which 'they will be led captive'. 'The gentiles' - or 'the nations' - means evils, see 1259, 1260, 1849, 1868, and 'Jerusalem' means the Church, 2117, which will be so 'trodden down' by them.

[19] IV A sword also means the punishment of falsity

This is clear in Isaiah,

On that day Jehovah will make a visitation with His hard and great and strong sword upon Leviathan the full-length serpent, ⁸ and upon Leviathan the twisting serpent, and He will slay the monsters that are in the sea. Isaiah 27:1.

This refers to those who by means of reasonings based on sensory evidence and factual knowledge enter into the mysteries of faith. 'The hard, great, and strong sword' stands for the punishments of the falsity that results from those reasonings.

[20] When one reads about people being put to, and being slain by, the edge of the sword, sometimes including 'both men and women, young people and old, oxen, sheep, and asses', the meaning in the internal sense is punishment consisting in the condemnation of falsity, as in Joshua 6:21; 8:24-25; 10:28, 30, 37, 39; 11:10-12, 14; 13:22; 19:47; Judges 1:8, 25; 4:15-16; 18:27; 20:37; 1 Samuel 15:8; 2 Kings 10:25; and elsewhere. This also explains why it was commanded to put to the sword any city which worshipped other gods, and to destroy it utterly and to burn it with fire, and to let it remain a heap for ever, Deuteronomy 13:12-18. 'The sword' stands for the punishment of falsity, 'fire' for the punishment of evil. The angel of Jehovah with a drawn sword who stood in the path against Balaam, Numbers 22:22, 31, meant the truth which stood in the way of the falsity which possessed Balaam. For that reason also he was slain with a sword, Numbers 31:8.

[21] The meaning of 'a sword' in the genuine sense as truth engaged in conflict, and in the contrary sense as falsity engaged in it, also the vastation of truth and the punishment of falsity, has its origin in the representatives that occur in the next life. For in that life, when anyone utters that which he knows to be false, daggers so to speak instantly come down over his head and strike terror, while truth engaged in conflict is represented there as well by objects which have sharp points like the tips of swords; for such is the nature of truth if it is devoid of good, but if it exists together with good it is rounded and gentle. Such being the origin of the meaning of a sword, therefore with angels, whenever a knife, spear, small sword, or sword is mentioned in the Word, truth engaged in conflict comes to mind.

[22] The reason why a knife is hardly mentioned at all in the Word is that in the next life there are evil spirits who are called 'knifers'. They seem to have knives hanging by their sides, and the reason for this is that they possess so brutal a nature that they wish to cut everyone's throat with their knife. This is why knives are not mentioned, but small swords and swords, for the latter being implements normally used in battle give rise to the idea of war and so of truth engaged in conflict.

[23] Because it was well known to the ancients that a small sword, a lance, and a knife meant truth, the gentiles, who received the practice through tradition, were therefore accustomed during sacrifices to stab and slash themselves, even until they bled, with small swords, lances, or knives, as one reads of the priests of Baal,

The priests of Baal cried out with a loud voice and cut themselves after their custom with swords and lances, until blood gushed out. 1 Kings 18:28.

As regards all weapons of war in the Word meaning things that have to do with spiritual conflict, each one having some specific meaning, see 2686.

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