10022. Before the Tent of meeting. That this signifies for purification, the reception of truth from heaven, and its conjunction with good, is evident from the representation of “the Tent of meeting,” as being heaven where the Lord is (see n. 9457, 9481, 9485). That purification, the implanting of truth, and its conjunction with good are also signified here, is because the bullock was brought thither to be sacrificed, and by sacrifices are signified both purification and the implanting of truth and of good, and their conjunction. (That by sacrifices were represented purifications from evils and falsities, and also expiations, see n. 9990, 9991; and that by the place before the Tent, which is called the door thereof, is represented the conjunction of truth and good, which is called the heavenly marriage, n. 10001.) From this then it is that by “bringing the bullock near before the Tent of meeting” is signified the application of the external or natural man, such as he is in his infancy, to his purification from evils and falsities, and thus to the reception of truth from heaven, and its conjunction with good.

[2] As what now follows in this chapter concerns sacrifices and burnt-offerings, it must be told what was in general represented by them. By burnt-offerings and sacrifices in general was represented purification from evils and falsities; and because purification was represented, there was also represented the implanting of good and truth from the Lord, and likewise their conjunction. For when a man has been purified from evils and falsities, which is effected by their removal, then good and truth from the Lord flow in, and insofar as good and truth flow in, in this state, so far they are implanted, and so far they are conjoined; for the Lord is continually present with good and truth with every man, but He is not received except insofar as evils and falsities are removed, thus insofar as the man is purified from them. The conjunction of truth and good is regeneration. From this it can be seen what was in general represented by burnt-offerings and by sacrifices; but what was specifically represented is evident from the animals of different kinds that were sacrificed.

[3] As these three things, namely, purification from evils and falsities, the implanting of truth and good, and the conjunction of these, were represented by the sacrifices and burnt-offerings, therefore by them is also signified all worship from the truth of faith and the good of love (n. 6905, 8680, 8936); for all worship has as its end that the man may be purified from evils and falsities, consequently that goods and truths from the Lord may be implanted in him, and that thus he may be regenerated, which is effected by their conjunction. Their conjunction is heaven or the Lord’s kingdom with the man.

10001. Thou shalt bring near unto the door of the Tent of meeting. That this signifies the conjunction of both in heaven, is evident from the signification of “bringing near,” as being presence and conjunction (see n. 9997), here the conjunction of Divine good and Divine truth from the Lord in heaven; from the signification of “the door,” as being introduction (see n. 8989); and from the representation of the Tent of meeting, as being heaven (see n. 9457, 9481, 9485, 9963). That the bullock, the rams, the bread, the cakes, and the wafers of unleavened things in the basket, and Aaron with his sons, were to be presented at the door of the Tent of meeting, and that Aaron and his sons were there to be clothed with garments and anointed, and the things mentioned were to be there offered upon the altar, was because the place where was the door of the Tent of meeting represented the marriage of Divine good with Divine truth. For by the altar, which also was placed at the door of the Tent, was represented the Lord as to Divine good, and by the Tent of meeting was represented the Lord as to Divine truth; hence by the place at the door of the Tent was represented the conjunction of good and truth, which conjunction is called the heavenly marriage. (That by the altar of burnt offering was represented the Lord as to Divine good, see n. 9964; and by the Tent of meeting the Lord as to Divine truth, n. 9963) That the altar was placed there is evident in Moses, “And Moses placed the altar of burnt-offering at the door of the Tent” (Exodus 40:29). (That the conjunction of good and truth is the heavenly marriage, and that it is heaven, see n. 2173, 2508, 2618, 2803, 3004, 3132, 3952, 4434, 6179.) From all this it is now evident that by “bringing Aaron and his sons near to the door of the Tent of meeting” is signified the conjunction of both, namely, of the Divine good and the Divine truth from the Lord in heaven.