The Bible

 

Genesis 9:11

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11 En Ik richt Mijn verbond op met u, dat niet meer alle vlees door de wateren des vloeds zal worden uitgeroeid; en dat er geen vloed meer zal zijn, om de aarde te verderven.

From Swedenborg's Works

 

Arcana Coelestia #1101

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1101. 'May God enlarge Japheth' means the enlightenment of that Church. In the literal sense 'enlarging' means extending boundaries, but in the internal sense it means being enlightened. Indeed enlightenment is an extension so to speak of the boundaries of wisdom and intelligence, as in Isaiah,

Enlarge the place of your tent, and let the curtains of your habitations be stretched out. Isaiah 54:2.

This stands for enlightenment in spiritual things. The member of the external Church is 'enlarged' when he receives instruction in truths and goods of faith. And because charity is present in him he is by this means confirmed more and more. Also, the more instruction he receives the more the cloud is dispersed in the understanding part of his mind in which charity and conscience are present.

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