The Bible

 

Genesis 1:1

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From Swedenborg's Works

 

Arcana Coelestia #1020

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1020. That these things are meant becomes clear from the fact that everything put together as history from Genesis 1 down to Eber in Chapter 11 means something different from what appears in the letter, and from the consideration that the historical narratives there are purely made-up history customary among the most ancient people. When attesting the truth of some matter they would say that 'Jehovah said it'. Here however 'God' is used because the subject is the spiritual Church. And they did the same when anything true was being, or had been, put into effect.

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

From Swedenborg's Works

 

Arcana Coelestia #7691

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7691. 'And they did not allow any green to be left' means the obliteration of every sensory apprehension of truth. This is clear from the meaning of 'not allowing to be left' as obliterating; and from the meaning of 'green' as factual knowledge and sensory evidence, here sensory apprehension of truth, since 'the fruit of the trees' means recognition of good, 7690, and reference is being made to all the green on trees and on the plants of the field. 'Green' means sensory apprehension of truth because truths are meant by 'plant', 'grass', and 'leaf of tree', and from this a sensory apprehension of truth by their greenness. By sensory apprehension is meant the lowest level of perception. A sensory apprehension of truth is also meant by 'green' in Isaiah,

The waters of Nimrim will be desolations, for the reason that the grass has withered away, the plant has been consumed, there is nothing green. Isaiah 15:6.

And in John,

The fifth angel sounded, and out came locusts; and they were told not to harm the grass of the earth, or any green thing. Revelation 9:4.

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