Bibliorum

 

Genesis 28:8

Study

       

8 And Esau saw that the daughters of Canaan pleased not Isaac his father.

from the Writings of Emanuel Swedenborg

 

Arcana Coelestia #3706

Studere hoc loco

  
/ 10837  
  

3706. And to thy seed. That this signifies that so also was the truth, is evident from the signification of “seed,” as being the truth of faith (see n. 255, 880, 1025, 1447, 1610, 2848, 3038, 3310, 3373).

  
/ 10837  
  

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

from the Writings of Emanuel Swedenborg

 

Arcana Coelestia #255

Studere hoc loco

  
/ 10837  
  

255. That the “seed of the woman” signifies faith in the Lord, is evident from the signification of “woman” as being the church, whose “seed” is nothing but faith, for it is from faith in the Lord that the church is called the church.

In Malachi, faith is called the “seed of God:”

Jehovah hath witnessed between thee and the wife of thy youth [adolescentiarum]; and not one hath done so who had a residue of the spirit and wherefore one, seeking the seed of God? but observe ye in your spirit, lest he deal treacherously against the wife of thy youth (Malachi 2:14-15).

In this passage the “wife of youth” is the Ancient and Most Ancient Churches, of whose “seed” (or faith) the prophet speaks.

In Isaiah also, in reference to the church:

I will pour waters upon the thirsty, and floods upon the dry; I will pour My spirit upon thy seed, and My blessing upon thine offspring (Isaiah 44:3).

In the Revelation:

The dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, who were keeping the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ (Revelation 12:17).

And in David:

I have made a covenant with Mine elect, I have sworn unto David My servant, even to eternity will I establish thy seed, and his seed will I make to endure forever, and his throne as the days of the heavens; his seed shall endure to eternity, and his throne as the sun before me (Psalms 89:3-4, 29, 36),

where by “David” is meant the Lord; by “throne” His kingdom; by the “sun” love; and by “seed” faith.

  
/ 10837  
  

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