Arcana Coelestia #2838
2838. As it is said to this day. That this signifies what is perpetual, is evident from the signification of “today” in the Word explained in what follows. We read in several places in the Word, “even to this day,” or “to today;” as in what goes before, “He is the father of Moab even unto this day; and the father of Ammon unto this day” (Genesis 19:37-38); and later in the same book, “The name of the city is Beersheba, even to this day” (Genesis 26:33). Also this, “The sons of Israel eat not the sinew of the part put out of place, which is upon the hollow of the thigh, even to this day” (Genesis 32:32). And also this, “This is the pillar of Rachel’s grave even unto this day” (Genesis 35:20). “Joseph made it a statute even to this day” (Genesis 47:26). In the historical sense these things regard the time when Moses lived; but in the internal sense by “this day” and by “today” there is signified perpetuity and eternity of state. That “day” is state may be seen above (n. 23, 487, 488, 493, 893); and thus “today” also, which is time present. That which is of time in the world, is eternal in heaven. That this might be signified, “today” is added, or “to this day,” although it appears to those who are in the historical sense as if it involved nothing further. The like is said elsewhere in the Word (as Josh. 4:9; 6:25; 7:26; Judges 1:21, 1:26; other places).
[2] That “today” signifies perpetuity and eternity may be seen in David:
I will tell of the decree: Jehovah hath said unto Me, Thou art My Son, this day have I begotten Thee (Psalms 2:7); where “this day” manifestly denotes what is eternal. In the same:
Forever O Jehovah Thy Word is settled in the heavens, Thy truth is unto generation and generation; Thou hast established the earth, and it abideth; they abide this day according to Thy judgments (Psalms 119:89-91); where also “this day” manifestly denotes what is eternal.
In Jeremiah:
Before I formed Thee in the belly, I knew Thee; and before Thou camest forth out of the womb, I sanctified Thee; I gave Thee for a prophet unto the nations; I have set Thee this day over the nations and over the kingdoms, and I have made Thee this day a defensed city, and an iron pillar, and walls of brass (Jeremiah 1:5, 10, 18);
here in the sense of the letter Jeremiah is treated of, but in the internal sense the Lord is meant; “I have set Thee this day, or today, over the nations and over the kingdoms, and I have made Thee this day a defensed city” means that it was from eternity. Of the Lord nothing else than what is eternal can be predicated.
[3] In Moses:
Ye are standing this day all of you before Jehovah your God, to enter into the covenant of Jehovah thy God, and into His oath, which Jehovah thy God maketh with thee this day, that He may establish thee this day unto Himself for a people; and He will be a God unto thee; and not with you only, but with them who stand here with us this day before Jehovah our God, and with them who are not with us this day (Deuteronomy 29:10, 12-14).
In the sense of the letter here “this day” is the time present when Moses spoke to the people; but that it nevertheless involves the time to come and what is perpetual, is evident; for to make a covenant with anyone, and with those who were there, and not there, involves perpetuity, and the perpetuity itself is what is meant in the internal sense.
[4] That “daily” and “this day” signify what is perpetual, is also evident from the sacrifice which was made every day. This, on account of the signification of “day,” “daily,” and “this day,” was called the continual or perpetual sacrifice (Numbers 28:3, 23; Deuteronomy 8:13; 11:31; 12:11). This is still more plainly evident from the manna which rained from heaven, of which it is thus said in Moses:
Behold I will rain bread from heaven; and the people shall go out and gather a portion day by day; and let no man leave of it till the morning. What they left till the morning bred worms, and putrefied, except what was kept the day before the Sabbath (Exodus 16:4, 19-20, 23).
This was because the manna signified the Lord’s Divine Human (John 6:31-32, 49-50, 58). And because it signified the Lord’s Divine Human, it signified heavenly food, which is nothing else than love and charity together with the goods and truths of faith. This food is given by the Lord in the heavens to the angels every moment, and thus perpetually and to eternity (see n. 2493). This also is what is meant in the Lord’s Prayer by “Give us this day our daily bread” (Matthew 6:11; Luke 11:3); that is, every instant to eternity.
Genesis 5
1
This is the book of the generations of Adam. In the day that God created man, he made him in God's likeness.
2
He created them male and female, and blessed them, and called their name "Adam," in the day when they were created.
3
Adam lived one hundred thirty years, and became the father of a son in his own likeness, after his image, and named him Seth.
4
The days of Adam after he became the father of Seth were eight hundred years, and he became the father of sons and daughters.
5
All the days that Adam lived were nine hundred thirty years, then he died.
6
Seth lived one hundred five years, and became the father of Enosh.
7
Seth lived after he became the father of Enosh eight hundred seven years, and became the father of sons and daughters.
8
All the days of Seth were nine hundred twelve years, then he died.
9
Enosh lived ninety years, and became the father of Kenan.
10
Enosh lived after he became the father of Kenan, eight hundred fifteen years, and became the father of sons and daughters.
11
All the days of Enosh were nine hundred five years, then he died.
12
Kenan lived seventy years, and became the father of Mahalalel.
13
Kenan lived after he became the father of Mahalalel eight hundred forty years, and became the father of sons and daughters
14
and all the days of Kenan were nine hundred ten years, then he died.
15
Mahalalel lived sixty-five years, and became the father of Jared.
16
Mahalalel lived after he became the father of Jared eight hundred thirty years, and became the father of sons and daughters.
17
All the days of Mahalalel were eight hundred ninety-five years, then he died.
18
Jared lived one hundred sixty-two years, and became the father of Enoch.
19
Jared lived after he became the father of Enoch eight hundred years, and became the father of sons and daughters.
20
All the days of Jared were nine hundred sixty-two years, then he died.
21
Enoch lived sixty-five years, and became the father of Methuselah.
22
Enoch walked with God after he became the father of Methuselah three hundred years, and became the father of sons and daughters.
23
All the days of Enoch were three hundred sixty-five years.
24
Enoch walked with God, and he was not, for God took him.
25
Methuselah lived one hundred eighty-seven years, and became the father of Lamech.
26
Methuselah lived after he became the father of Lamech seven hundred eighty-two years, and became the father of sons and daughters.
27
All the days of Methuselah were nine hundred sixty-nine years, then he died.
28
Lamech lived one hundred eighty-two years, and became the father of a son,
29
and he named him Noah, saying, "This same will comfort us in our work and in the toil of our hands, because of the ground which Yahweh has cursed."
30
Lamech lived after he became the father of Noah five hundred ninety-five years, and became the father of sons and daughters.
31
All the days of Lamech were seven hundred seventy-seven years, then he died.
32
Noah was five hundred years old, and Noah became the father of Shem, Ham, and Japheth.
