THE EXPLANATION of Isaiah Chapter 23

(Note: Rev. Smithson's translation of the Isaiah text is appended below the explanation)

1. THE burden of Tyre. Howl, O you ships of Tarshish! for it is laid waste, so that there is no house, no one entering in: from the land of Chittim it is made manifest unto them.

VERSES 1, 2. Tyre and Zidon were the ultimate borders of Philistia, and were near the sea; whence by "Tyre" are signified interior knowledges, and by "Zidon" exterior knowledges, and this of things spiritual, which also appears from the Word, as in Jeremiah:

"Because of the day that cometh to spoil all the Philistines, to cut off from Tyre and Zidon every helper that remains; for Jehovah will spoil the Philistines, the remains of the island of Caphtor"; (Jeremiah 47:4),

where by the "Philistines" are signified the sciences of the knowledges of faith and charity; by "Tyre" the interior knowledges, and by Zidon the exterior knowledges of things spiritual.

So in Joel:

"What have you to do with Me, O Tyre and Zidon, and all the borders of Philistia? Because you have taken My silver and gold, and have carried into your temples My desirable good things"; (Joel 3:4, 5),

where "Tyre and Zidon" manifestly denote knowledges, and are called the "borders of Philistia"; for "silver and gold, and desirable good things, are knowledges.

So in Ezekiel:

"The princes of the north, all of them, and all the Zidonians, who have gone down with the slain. He shall be laid in the midst of the uncircumcised, with the slain with the sword, Pharaoh and all his company"; (Ezekiel 32:30, 32),

where the "Zidonians ' signify exterior knowledges, which, without internal, are nothing but mere scientifics; wherefore they are mentioned together with "Pharaoh", or Egypt, by whom are signified scientifics.

So in Zechariah:

"Hamath also shall have its border thereby; Tyre and Zidon, for he was very wise"; (Zechariah 9:2) speaking of Damascus; "Tyre and Zidon" denote knowledges.

So in Ezekiel:

"The inhabitants of Zidon and of Arvad were your mariners: your wise ones, O Tyre, that were in you, were your pilots"; (Ezekiel 27:8),

where "Tyre" denotes interior knowledges, wherefore her wise ones are called "pilots"; and "Zidon" denotes exterior knowledges, wherefore her inhabitants are called "mariners " [rowers], for such is the relation of interior knowledges to exterior.

So in Isaiah:

"The inhabitants of the island are silent; the merchants of Zidon, they that pass over the sea, have replenished you. And by great waters the seed of Sihor, the harvest of the river, was her revenue; and she was the mart of the nations. Be you ashamed, O Zidon: for the sea has spoken, even the fortress of the sea, saying, I have not travailed, nor brought forth children; neither have I nourished young men, nor brought up virgins"; (Isaiah 23:2-4),

where "Zidon" denotes exterior knowledges, which, having nothing internal in them, are called "the seed of Sihor", "the harvest of the river, her revenue", "a mart of the nations", and also "the sea", and "the fortress of the sea".

It is said that "she does not travail, nor bring forth"; which expressions, in the literal sense, seem without meaning, but in the internal sense they have a clear signification, as is the case with other passages in the Prophets.

Because "Zidon" signifies exterior knowledges, it is called "they that are round about Israel", or the spiritual church; (Ezekiel 28:24, 26) for exterior knowledges are like things that are around. Arcana Coelestia 1201.

As to the knowledges of Truth and Good, and their indispensable necessity to the regeneration and salvation of man, see above, Chapter 17:1, the Exposition.

Verses 1-3. Howl, O you ships of Tarshish! for it [TyreJ is laid waste, etc. - The holy things of the church, which are here described, no one can know except from the internal sense. Every one knows that the holy things of heaven and the church are everywhere in the Word, and that it is from this that the Word is holy. In the sense of the letter the subject treated of is concerning the merchandise of Tyre and Zidon, which are not holy, without a more interior sense, which is holy.

But what, in this sense, is signified by the "merchandise of Tyro", will be evident when explained. The "ships of Tarshish" are the doctrinals of Truth and Good. "Tyre and Zidon" are the knowledges of Good and Truth; "no house, and no one entering in", signifies that there is no longer any Good, into which Truth can be implanted. "The inhabitants of the island who are silent", are the more remote goods; "the seed of Sihor" is scientific truth"; the harvest of the river [or the Nile], her revenue", is the good which is hence out of the church. Arcana Coelestia 9295.

Ships of Tarshish. - As to the spiritual signification of the "ships of Tarshish" see also above, Chapter 2:12-17, the Exposition.

Verses 1-5. The burden of Tyre; - the inhabitants of the island are silent; the merchants of Zidon, they that pass over the sea, have replenished you etc. - By "Tyre" and "Zidon" are signified the knowledges of Good and Truth, wherefore it is said "The merchants of Zidon, they that pass over the sea"; a "merchant" denoting one who procures to himself those knowledges and communicates them. That they procured to themselves nothing of Good and Truth thereby, is signified by "The sea has spoken, saying, I have not travailed, nor brought forth children; neither have I nourished young men, nor brought up virgins"; for to "travail" and to "bring forth is to produce something from knowledges; "young men" are truths, and "virgins" goods. That thence the use of knowledges and of sciences would perish, is signified by these words, "As at the tidings out of Egypt, so shall they be seized with pain at the tidings of Tyre. Apocalypse Explained 275

Verses 1, 2, 4, 5, 6. Howl, O you ships of Tarshish! for it [Tyre] is laid waste, so that there is no house, no one entering in: from the land of Chittim it is made manifest unto them, etc. - The desolation of Truth in the church is described in these words; for by the "ships of Tarshish" are signified the knowledges of Good from the Word, and by "Tyre" the knowledges of Truth thence. That there is no good in consequence of there being no truths, is signified by "Howl, O you ships of Tarshish! for Tyre is laid waste, so that there is no house, no one entering in." That falsities then enter, until there are no more any goods of Truth and truths of Good in the natural man, is signified by "From the land of Chittim it is made manifest unto them, the inhabitants of the island are silent; the merchants of Zidon, they that pass over the sea, have replenished you." The "land of Chittim" signifies falsities; the "inhabitants of the island", the goods of Truth in the natural man, as was explained above; the "merchants of Zidon" signify knowledges from the Word; ''passing over the sea" means which are in the natural man; " who [that is, the merchants of Zidon] have replenished you", signifies those who have enriched you therewith. The devastation of Truth and of Good in the natural man is further described by "Be you ashamed, O Zidon: for the sea has spoken, even the fortress of the sea, saying, I have not travailed, nor brought forth children; neither have I nourished young men, nor brought up virgins." By "Zidon", as well as by "Tyre, are signified the knowledges of Good and Truth in the church; By. "the sea, and the fortress of the sea", is signified the whole natural man, by I have not travailed, nor brought forth", is signified that there is not anything of the church conceived or generated; by "young men. are signified the affections of Truth, and by "virgins" the affections of Good. That this was the case in consequence of knowledges from the Lord, and confirming scientifics being applied to falsities and evils, is signified by "As at the tidings out of Egypt, so shall they be seized with pain at the tidings of Tyre." "Egypt signifies scientifics; "Tyre", knowledges from the Word, - in the present case, devastated by falsities and evils to which they are applied; and inasmuch as there is lamentation on account thereof, it is therefore said that "they shall be seized with pain. That all Good and Truth in the natural man would thus perish, is signified by "Pass you over to Tarshish; howl, O you inhabitants of the Island!" "Tarshish" signifies the interior goods and truths in the natural man; the "inhabitants of the island", the exterior goods and truths in the same; and to "howl", signifies grief by reason of devastation. Apocalypse Explained 406.

2.The inhabitants of the island are silent; the merchants of Zidon, they that pass over the sea, have replenished you.

3. And by great waters the seed of Sichor, the harvest of the river [Nile], was her revenue; and she was the mart of the nations.

Verse 2. The merchants of Zidon, etc. - The Lord likened the kingdom of heaven to a "merchant man", (Matthew 13:45) to teach us that "merchants", when mentioned in the Word, are those who procure to themselves the knowledges of Truth and Good, and thence intelligence and wisdom. By "pearls" are signified knowledges, and also truths themselves; and by "the pearl exceedingly precious", is signified the acknowledgement of the Lord. And by "the man selling all that he had", is signified to alienate all things which are of self-love; and by "buying it" is signified to procure to himself that divine Truth. Apocalypse Explained 480. See also Arcana Coelestia 2967, 5886; Apocalypse Revealed 726, 916.

Verses 2, 14. They that pass over the sea have replenished you; - your stronghold is laid waste, etc. - By the "ships of Tarshish " are understood doctrinals from the Word, for those ships carried "gold" and "silver", by which are signified goods and truths, and the knowledges thereof from the Word; and because by "Tyre" is signified the church as to the knowledges of Truth and Good, - in this passage, devastated, hence it is said "Howl, O you ships of Tarshish! for Tyre is laid waste. By "the inhabitants of the island" are understood those who are in the goods of life, according to their doctrinal principles. By "the merchants of Zidon" are signified those who are in Truths from the Word, concerning which it is said, that", they have replenished you." By "your stronghold", or fortress, is signified doctrine from the Word, which guards or protects [like a fortress]; and by its being laid waste is signified that there is no perception of it, and hence no Truth, for truths are falsified by ideas not just concerning them: Apocalypse Explained 514.

4. Be you ashamed, O Zidon: for the sea has spoken; even the fortress of the sea, saying, I have not travailed, nor brought forth children; neither have I nourished young men, nor brought up virgins.

5. As at the tidings out of Egypt, so shall they be seized with pain at the tidings of Tyre.

6. Pass you over to Tarshish; howl, O you inhabitants of the island!

7. Is this your joyous [city], whose antiquity is of ancient days? her own feet shall bear her far away to sojourn.

Verse 4. The sea has spoken even the fortress of the sea, saying, I have travailed; etc. - By "the sea, and the fortress of the sea", is signified the natural principle, where the knowledges signified by Tyre and Zidon" are. That not any have been reformed by those knowledges, is signified by "I have not travailed, nor brought forth children"; and that there is consequently no understanding of Truth and no affectIon of Truth, is signified by "neither have I nourished young men, nor brought up virgins." Apocalypse Explained 865.

8. Who has counselled this against Tyre, the crowning [city], whose merchants were princes, whose traders were the honoured of the earth?

9. Jehovah of Hosts has counselled it; to pollute the pride of all [her] beauty; to make contemptible all the honoured of the earth.

10. Pass through your land, like a river, O daughter of Tarshish; the girdle is no more.

11. He has stretched out His hand over the sea; He has shaken the kingdoms: Jehovah has commanded concerning Canaan, that they should destroy her strong places.

Verse 8. Who has counselled this against Tyre, the crowning [city], whose merchants were princes, whose traders were the honoured of the earth!

Again in Ezekiel:

"All the ships in the sea were for the trading of your trading; Tarshish was your trader in silver, iron, tin and lead; they gave your markets. Javan, Tubal, and Meshch, these were your merchants, with the soul of man and vessels of brass they gave your trading. The sons of Dedan were your merchants; many islands, the merchants of your hand. Syria was your trader with chrysoprasus. But your wealth and your tradings, your markets, and they who trade your trading, shall fall into the heart of the seas in the day of your fall." (Ezekiel 27:1, to the end.)

Who cannot see that by the "tradings" and "merchandise" there mentioned are not understood tradings and merchandise, for what has the Word, which in itself is divine and celestial and teaches man concerning God, heaven, and the church, concerning eternal life, and the like, in common with such things?

Hence it may be evident to every one that all the particular things there mentioned signify things spiritual, which appertain to heaven and the church, not only the names of the places with which the tradings were transacted, but also the particular merchandise thereof. But to expound all the particulars in the spiritual sense would be too prolix in this place; it is sufficient for the present purpose that it be known that the "tradings" there mentioned signify the acquisitions and communications of the knowledges of Truth and Good, and that the "merchandise", or wares, signify those knowledges themselves which are multifarious. Apocalypse Explained 840.

The crowning city. - A "crown" signifies wisdom, intelligence, and eternal felicity, as may be seen from those passages in the Word where "crown" is mentioned. Apocalypse Explained 125, 152, 195.

[It hence follows that Tyre is called a "crowning city", because all intelligence and wisdom come from the knowledge of revealed Truth, or the Word, and from their right application.]

Verses 1, 10, 13, 17. Howl, O you ships of Tarshish! from the land of Chittim it is made manifest unto them, etc. - That neither the ships of Tarshish, nor Tyre, nor the land of Chittim, nor the land of the Chaldeans, nor the Assyrian, are here understood, may appear from every particular thing contained in this chapter. But by the "ships of Tarshish" are understood the knowledges of Truth and Good, and likewise by "Tyre", by the "land of Chittim", what is idolatrous; by the "land of the Chaldeans", the profanation and destruction of Truth; and by the "Assyrian", ratiocination from falsities.

Hence it is evident what is signified by the "ships of Tarshish howling because Tyre is devastated", namely, that there are no more any knowledges of Truth.

That "it shall be made manifest unto them from the land of Chittim", signifies that what is idolatrous is from thence.

"The girdle is no more" signifies that there is no more coherence of Truth with Good. "To the land of the Chaldeans", signifies that so there is profanation and destruction of Truth.

"The Assyrian has laid the foundation into heaps", signifies that ratiocination from falsities has destroyed. To "return to her meretricious gain", and to "commit fornication with all the kingdoms of the earth that are upon the face of the ground", signifies falsification of all the Truths of the church. Apocalypse Explained 304.

12. And He bath said, You shalt rejoice no more, O you oppressed virgin, the daughter of Zidon! Arise, pass over to Chittim; even there you shalt have no rest.

Verse 12. O you oppressed virgin, the daughter of Zidon! - As to the meaning of "daughter" and "virgin", see above, Chapter 16:2. Exposition.

The girdle is no more. - For the spiritual signification of a "girdle", see Chapter 3:18-25; 11:5, the Exposition.

13. Behold the land of the Chaldeans! this is not a people; the Assyrian has laid the foundation into heaps: they raised the watchtowers, they set up the palaces thereof; this people has reduced her to a ruin.

14. Howl, you ships of Tarshish: for your stronghold is laid waste.

Verse 13. Behold the land of the Chaldeans! this is not a people.

"The land of the Chaldeans: this is not a people", signifies falsities.

"The Assyrian has founded it [into heaps]" for reasonings; "watchtowers" here signify phantasies. Arcana Coelestia 1368.

15. And it shall be in that day, that Tyre shall be forgotten seventy years, according to the days of one king: at the end of seventy years it shall be to Tyre as the song of a harlot.

16. Take the harp, go about the city, O harlot forgotten; strike sweetly the harp; multiply the song, that you mayest be remembered.

Verses 15, 10. At the end of seventy years it shall be to Tyre as the song of a harlot, etc.

By "Tyre" is signified the church as to the knowledges of spiritual Truth and Good, as was said above - in this case, the church in which those knowledges are falsified. A "harlot" signifies the falsification of Truth, as may be seen above, Apocalypse Explained 141;. and by "taking the harp, going about the city, playing sweetly", etc., the exultation and boasting of the false over the destruction of Truth. Apocalypse Explained 323.

As to the spiritual signification of a "harlot" and of "fornication", so often mentioned in the Prophets, see above, Chapter 1:21, the Exposition.

Verses 15, 17. Tyre shall be forgotten seventy years, according to the days of one King, etc. - That all numbers in the Word are significative, and that they signify things, see Arcana Coelestia 1963, 1988; and that numbers multiplied signify the same with the simple ones from which they are compounded, see Arcana Coelestia 5291, 5335.

Thus "seventy" the same as "seven" [only in greater fulness]. That "seventy" denotes an entire period, thus a full state, is evident from the following passages.

"Tyre shall be forgotten seventy years, according to the days of one King: at the end of seventy years it shall be unto Tyre as the song of a harlot; and it shall be at the end of seventy years that Jehovah will visit Tyre." (Isaiah 24:15, 17)

"Seventy years" denote an entire period from beginning to end, [In this case, the entire period of the devastation of Tyre.]

"According to the days of one King" signifies the state of Truth within the church; for " days" are states, Arcana Coelestia 6505, and "King" is Truth, Arcana Coelestia 1672, 2015.

Everyone who well considers this passage, may see that by "Tyre" is not meant Tyre, and that without the internal sense it cannot be understood what it is for "Tyre to be forgotten, or to be given to oblivion seventy years", and what it is for this to be "according to the days of one King."

See also Jeremiah 25:11, 12; 29:10; and Daniel 9:24; where it is plain that "seventy years" and "seventy weeks" signify a full or complete state of the subject treated of, [and not seventy years or weeks in a literal sense.] Arcana Coelestia 6508.

As to the spiritual signification of the number "seven" see above Chapter 4:1, the Exposition.

["One King" does not signify any one given king, but the number "one", like the number "seventy", has its spiritual meaning, and signifies what is perfect, entire, and genuine. (Apocalypse Explained 374)

Thus "Tyre shall be forgotten, or given to oblivion seventy years according to the days of one King", implies that Tyre, or that state of the church which perverts the knowledges of what is True and Good from the Word, would be destroyed as to the states of all genuine Truth; "days": signifying states, "one" what is genuine and perfect, and "King" Truth.

That the number "one" does not signify numerically one, is evident from what is said in Psalm 27:4 :

"One [thing] have I desired", etc., which is a genuine or perfect state of worship, denoted by the things which follow, namely, - "That I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord, and to inquire in His temple."

Again, when the Lord says, "One [thing] you lack", (Mark 10:21), He did not mean simply one thing, but a perfect state of love to God and of charity to his neighbour, denoted by the things which follow, namely, "That he should sell what he had", that is, renounce his proprium and deny himself; "give to the poor", a life of charity; and "come and follow Him", to acknowledge and worship the Lord; - by which his state would become one, that is, genuine and perfect.]

17. And it shall be at the end of seventy years, that Jehovah will visit Tyre: and she shall return to her meretricious gain; and she shall commit fornication with all the kingdoms of the earth that are upon the face of the ground.

Verses 17, 18. And it shall be at the end of seventy years, that Jehovah will visit Tyre, etc.

"Tyre", in the Word, is the church as to the knowledges of Truth and Good, the "meretricious gain" denotes the same knowledges applied to evils and falsities by perversion; her ''merchandise" is the selling thereof; to "commit fornication with all the kingdoms of the earth", denotes with all the truths of the church.

The reason why it is said that "her merchandise and her meretricious gain shall at length be holy to Jehovah", is because thereby are signified knowledges of Truth and Good by them applied to falsities and evils, and man, by the knowledges themselves, viewed in their true nature and quality; may become wise; for knowledges are the means of becoming wise, and they are also the means of becoming insane, when they are falsified by applications to evils and falsities.

Similar things are signified where it is said that "they should make to themselves friends of the unjust mammon"; (Luke 16:9) and by its being commanded that "the sons of Israel should borrow from the Egyptians gold, silver, and raiment, and take them away with them"; (Exodus 3:21, 22; 12:35, 36) for by the "Egyptians" are signified scientifics of every kind, which they applied to falsify truths. Apocalypse Explained 141.

The knowledges of what is True and Good from the Word, signified by "Tyre", are called "meretricious gain" when they are taught for for the sake of gain, honour and fame; for in this way they are, as it were, sold, and are not taught for the sake of Truth itself. This, in the Word, is called "meretriciousness and whoredom." To "commit fornication with all the kingdoms of the earth", is thus to act with all the truths of the church; "upon the faces of the ground", signifies wheresoever the church is." Arcana Coelestia 10570.

18. But her merchandise and her meretricious gain shall be holy to Jehovah: it shall not be treasured up, nor shall it be kept in store; for her merchandise shall be for them that dwell before Jehovah, for food sufficient, and for clothing [as of] old.

Verse 18. But her merchandise and her meretricious gain shall be holy to Jehovah, etc. - The "merchandise" and "meretricious gain" are the knowledges of what is Good and True from the Word applied to evil uses. That these knowledges should be given to the good who apply them to good uses, is meant by "her merchandise being for them that dwell before Jehovah, for food sufficient, and for clothing themselves as of old." The case is this: the knowledges of what is Good and True, with the evil, are applied to evil uses; and the same knowledges, with the good, are, applied to good uses. The knowledges are the same, but the application of them to uses makes their quality, whether good or bad, with each individual. These knowledges, as spiritual treasures, are like worldly riches, which by one person are applied to good uses, and by another to evil uses. Hence it is that riches, with each person, are of such a nature as the uses to which they are applied. From this it is clear that the same knowledges, like the same riches, which were in the possession of the evil, can be in the possession of the good, and be made subservient to good uses. Hence it may be seen what was represented by the command that "the sons of Israel should borrow of the Egyptians vessels of gold and of silver", etc., (Exodus 11:2, 3) and should thus spoil or rob them. Such robbing would never have been commanded by Jehovah, unless it had represented in the spiritual world such things, namely, the taking away, at the time of Judgment, of the treasures of knowledge from the evil, and transferring them to the good. Thus the Lord says, in respect to the wicked servant" Take therefore the talent from him, and give it to him that has ten talents; for unto everyone that has shall be given, and he shall have abundance; but from him that has not shall be taken away even that which he has." (Matthew 25:28, 29) Arcana Coelestia 7770.

The merchandise of Tyre shall before them that dwell before Jehovah, for food sufficient, etc. - By the "merchandise of Tyre" are signified the knowledges of Good and Truth of every kind; to "dwell before Jehovah" signifies to live from the Lord; to have "food sufficient" signifies to receive, perceive, and appropriate the knowledges of Good sufficiently for the nourishment of the soul; to "clothe himself as of old" [or, with what is ancient], signifies to imbibe the knowledges of genuine Truth; for to cover is predicated of truths, because "garments" signify truths, "clothing" good, and "old" [or ancient] is predicated of what is genuine, inasmuch as genuine Truths were with the ancients. Apocalypse Explained 617. See also above, in respect to "the kings of antiquity", Chapter 19:11, the Exposition.

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Isaiah Chapter 23.

1. THE burden of Tyre. Howl, O you ships of Tarshish! for it is laid waste, so that there is no house, no one entering in: from the land of Chittim it is made manifest unto them.

2. The inhabitants of the island are silent; the merchants of Zidon, they that pass over the sea, have replenished you.

3. And by great waters the seed of Sichor, the harvest of the river [Nile], was her revenue; and she was the mart of the nations.

4. Be you ashamed, O Zidon: for the sea has spoken; even the fortress of the sea, saying, I have not travailed, nor brought forth children; neither have I nourished young men, nor brought up virgins.

5. As at the tidings out of Egypt, so shall they be seized with pain at the tidings of Tyre.

6. Pass you over to Tarshish; howl, O you inhabitants of the island!

7. Is this your joyous [city], whose antiquity is of ancient days? her own feet shall bear her far away to sojourn.

8. Who has counselled this against Tyre, the crowning [city], whose merchants were princes, whose traders were the honoured of the earth?

9. Jehovah of Hosts has counselled it; to pollute the pride of all [her] beauty; to make contemptible all the honoured of the earth.

10. Pass through your land, like a river, O daughter of Tarshish; the girdle is no more.

11. He has stretched out His hand over the sea; He has shaken the kingdoms: Jehovah has commanded concerning Canaan, that they should destroy her strong places.

12. And He bath said, You shalt rejoice no more, O you oppressed virgin, the daughter of Zidon! Arise, pass over to Chittim; even there you shalt have no rest.

13. Behold the land of the Chaldeans! this is not a people; the Assyrian has laid the foundation into heaps: they raised the watchtowers, they set up the palaces thereof; this people has reduced her to a ruin.

14. Howl, you ships of Tarshish: for your stronghold is laid waste.

15. And it shall be in that day, that Tyre shall be forgotten seventy years, according to the days of one king: at the end of seventy years it shall be to Tyre as the song of a harlot.

16. Take the harp, go about the city, O harlot forgotten; strike sweetly the harp; multiply the song, that you mayest be remembered.

17. And it shall be at the end of seventy years, that Jehovah will visit Tyre: and she shall return to her meretricious gain; and she shall commit fornication with all the kingdoms of the earth that are upon the face of the ground.

18. But her merchandise and her meretricious gain shall be holy to Jehovah: it shall not be treasured up, nor shall it be kept in store; for her merchandise shall be for them that dwell before Jehovah, for food sufficient, and for clothing [as of] old.

2851. 'Your seed will inherit the gate of their enemies' means that charity and faith will take the place occupied previously by evil and falsity. This is clear from the meaning of 'inheriting' as receiving the Lord's life, dealt with in 2658, here as taking the place of, for when charity and faith exist in the place occupied previously by evil and falsity, the Lord's life enters in there; from the meaning of 'seed' as charity and faith, dealt with in 1025, 1447, 1610, 1941; from the meaning of 'gate', dealt with below; and from the meaning of 'enemies' as evils and falsities, or what amounts to the same, people who are subject to evil and falsity. It is the latter who are meant by enemies and foes in the internal sense of the Word.

[2] As regards the meaning of 'a gate', there are in general two gates with each individual person. One gate is exposed towards hell and is open to evils and falsities from there. In that gate genii and spirits from hell are present. The other gate is exposed towards heaven and is open to goods and truths from there. In that gate angels are present. Thus there is a gate leading to hell and a gate leading to heaven. The gate to hell is open to those who are immersed in evil and falsity, and only through chinks round about overhead does any light at all from heaven penetrate, which enables them to think and to reason. But the gate to heaven is open to those who are immersed in good and truth from there.

[3] For there are two paths which lead into a person's rational mind, a higher or internal path along which good and truth from the Lord enter in, and a lower or external path along which evil and falsity enter in surreptitiously from hell. In the middle is the rational mind towards which the two paths converge. From the goods and truths present there the rational mind is compared in the Word to a city and is actually called a city. And because it is compared to and actually called a city it is depicted as having gates, and is described in various places as having enemies, that is, evil genii and spirits, besieging it and assaulting it, while angels from the Lord are defending it, that is, the Lord Himself is doing so. The genii and spirits from hell, with their evils and falsities, can go no further than towards the lower or outer gate, and cannot pass at all into the city. If they were able to pass into the city, which is the rational mind, man would be completely done for. But when they reach the point, as it seems to them, that they have taken the city by storm, it is then closed, so that good and truth no longer flow into it from heaven, apart, as has been stated, from that small amount which comes in through chinks round about. As a consequence such persons no longer possess any charity at all or any faith at all, but make good consist in evil, and truth in falsity. They also as a consequence cease to be truly rational, though they seem to themselves to be so, 1914, 1944, and are called 'dead men', though they themselves believe they are more alive than any others, 81, 290 (end). These things are so because the gate to heaven is closed to them. The fact that it is closed to them is quite apparent and is discerned in the next life, and so conversely that the gate to heaven is open to those in whom good and truth are present.

[4] As regards 'the gate of enemies' in particular, spoken of in this verse, it is the gate that exists with a person in his natural mind. That gate when the person is wholly natural or as yet unregenerate is occupied by evils and falsities, or what amounts to the same, evil genii and spirits are flowing into it together with evil desires and false persuasions, see 687, 698, 1692. When however a person is spiritual or being regenerated, evils and falsities, or what amounts to the same, evil genii and spirits, are driven away from that gate, that is, from the natural mind. Once they have been driven away, goods and truths, or charity and faith, take their place; and these - charity and faith - are meant by 'your seed will inherit the gate of their enemies'. This is what takes place in particular with each individual person when he is being regenerated, and similarly in the next life with those entering the Lord's kingdom; and also what takes place in general, that is, in the Church, which is made up of many individuals.

[5] This transformation was represented by the children of Israel driving the nations from the land of Canaan. Such expulsion of those nations is what, in the literal sense, the words 'your seed will inherit the gate of their enemies' are used to mean; but in the internal sense the things which have just been described are meant. This also explains why in ancient times it was customary to use words such as these when blessing persons who were about to be married, as is also evident from the blessing which Laban gave to Rebekah his sister when, already betrothed, she was about to go to Isaac,

Our sister, may you be [the mother] of thousands of myriads, and may your seed inherit the gate of those who hate you. Genesis 24:60.

[6] That such things are meant in the Word by 'the gate of enemies' or 'of those who hate' becomes clear from the following places: In Isaiah,

I will kill your root with famine, and your remnant will I slay. Wail, O gate; cry, O city; you have melted away, O Philistia, all of you, for smoke comes out of the north. Isaiah 14:30-31.

'Killing the root with famine and slaying the remnant' stands for the removal of goods and truths which the Lord has stored away inwardly - 'the remnant' meaning such goods and truths, see 468, 530, 560-562, 661, 798, 1050, 1738, 1906, 2284. 'Gate' stands for the place of entry into things that are interior, that is, into the rational mind. 'City' stands for that mind, or what amounts to the same, for the goods and truths there, 402, 2268, 2449, 2451, 2712. 'Philistia' stands for knowledge of the cognitions of faith, or what amounts to the same, for those who have a knowledge of those cognitions but not of the goods that spring from faith, 1197, 1198. 'Smoke from the north' stands for falsity from hell - smoke being falsity arising out of evil, 1861.

[7] In the same prophet,

The city of hollowness will be broken down, every house will be shut up to prevent it being entered. There will be an outcry in the streets over [the lack of] wine, all joy will be made desolate, the gladness of the earth will be banished. What is left in the city will be desolation, and the gate will be smitten with vastation, for thus will it be in the midst of the earth, in the midst of the peoples. Isaiah 24:10-13.

'The city of hollowness' which 'will be broken down' stands for the human mind deprived of truth. 'Every house will be shut up' stands for lack of good - 'house' meaning good, 2233. 'An outcry in the streets over [the lack of] wine' stands for a state of falsity - 'outcry' having reference to falsities, 2240. 'Wine' means truth over which there will be an outcry because there is none, 1071, 1798, and 'streets' means the things that lead to truths, 2336. 'The joy which is being made desolate' has reference to truth, 'the gladness of the earth that is being banished' to good. All this shows what is meant by 'what is left in the city will be desolation' and 'the gate will be smitten with vastation'. The gate is said to be vastated when nothing but evils and falsities reign.

[8] In Jeremiah,

The roads of Zion are mourning that none come to the appointed feast. All her gates are desolate, her priests groan, her virgins are afflicted, and she herself is in bitterness. Her enemies have become the head, her foes secure, because Jehovah has afflicted [her] over the multitude of her transgressions. Her young children have gone away captive before the enemy. Lamentations 1:4-5.

'The roads of Zion mourning' stands for there being no longer any truths that come from good -'roads' meaning truths, 189, 627, 2333. 'All her gates are desolate' stands for all the entrances being occupied by falsities. 'Her enemies have become the head' stands for evils reigning.

[9] In the same prophet,

Jehovah has caused the rampart, and the wall of the daughter of Zion, to mourn; they languish together. Her gates have become pressed down into the ground; He has destroyed and broken her bars; her king and her princes are among the nations. The law is no more; even her prophets have found no vision from Jehovah. All your foes have opened their mouth against you, they have hissed and gnashed their teeth; they have said, We have swallowed her up; this is the day we have awaited; we have found, we have seen it. Lamentations 2:8-9, 16.

'Gates pressed down into the ground' stands for the natural mind when occupied by evils and falsities. 'Her king and princes are among the nations' stands for truths immersed in evils - 'king' meaning truth in general, 1672, 1728, 2015, 2069, 'princes' first and foremost truths, 1482, 2089, and 'nations' evil, 1259, 1260, 1849, 1868, 2588.

[10] In Moses,

A nation from far away, from the end of the earth will distress you within all your gates until your high and fortified walls in which you trust come down in all your land. And it will distress you within all your gates, in the whole of your land. Thus will your enemy distress you. Deuteronomy 28:49, 52-53.

These calamities are found among the curses which Moses foretold to the people if they did not hold fast to the commandments and statutes. 'A nation from far away, from the end of the earth' stands in the internal sense for evils and falsities, that is, for those who are immersed in evil and falsity. 'Distressing them within all their gates' stands for sealing off every access to good and truth.

[11] In Nahum,

Behold, your people are women in the midst of you. The gates of your land have been opened wide to your enemies; fire has devoured your bars. Draw yourself water for the siege, strengthen your fortifications; go into the mud and tread the bitumen; strengthen the brick-kiln. Nahum 3:13-14.

'The gates of the land opened wide to enemies' stands for evils occupying the position where goods ought to be. In the Book of Judges, The highways ceased to be, and they went along by-paths; they went along twisting ways; the streets in Israel ceased to be. He chose new gods, at which point the gates were assailed - was a shield seen, or a spear, among the forty thousand of Israel? Judges 5:6-8.

This is the prophecy of Deborah and Barak. 'The gates were assailed' stands for an assault on goods and truths.

[12] In David,

Those who dwell in the gate plot against me; those who drink strong drink sing songs. Psalms 69:12.

'Those who dwell in the gate' stands for evils and falsities, and also for those who are from hell. In Ezekiel,

In the visions of God he was brought to the door of the inner gate which looked towards the north. There he saw the great abominations of the house of Israel. He was also brought to the door of the gate of the house of Jehovah which looked towards the north. There also [he saw] abominations. Ezekiel 8:3, 6, 14-15.

'The door of the inner gate which looked towards the north' stands for the place where interior falsities exist. 'The door of the gate of the house of Jehovah towards the north' stands for the place where interior evils exist. The fact that the falsities and evils are interior, and that it is an interior sphere in which such spirits and genii reside, see 2121-2124.

[13] In David,

Behold, sons are a possession of Jehovah, the fruit of the womb a reward. Like darts in the hand of a strong man so are the sons of youth. ¹ Blessed is the man who has filled his quiver with them. They will not be put to shame, for they will speak with enemies in the gate. Psalms 127:3-5.

'Speaking with enemies in the gate' stands for having no fear of evils and falsities, nor thus of hell. In Isaiah,

On that day Jehovah Zebaoth will be a spirit of judgement to him who sits in judgement, and strength to those who turn back the battle towards the gate. They are also made senseless from wine, and err from strong drink. Isaiah 28:5-7.

In the same prophet,

They will be cut off who cause people to sin by a word, and who lay a snare for him who reproves in the gate and cause him who is just to turn aside to something empty. Isaiah 29:20-21.

In the same prophet,

Elam bore the quiver in the chariot of man (homo), [and] horsemen, Kir uncovered the shield, and the choicest of your valleys was full of chariots and horsemen; they positioned themselves at the gate. And he looked on that day to the armoury of the house of the forest. Isaiah 22:6-8.

In Jeremiah,

Judah mourned and her gates languished; the people were in black down to the ground, and the cry of Jerusalem went up. Their great men sent lesser ones to the waters; they came to the pits, they found no water. Jeremiah 14:1-3.

In the same prophet,

The elders have ceased from the gate, the young men from their singing. Lamentations 5:14

[14] All these places show what is meant by 'the gate of enemies', namely hell, or those from hell who are constantly mounting an assault on goods and truths. They have their seat with a person, as has been stated, in his natural mind; but when the person is such that he allows goods and truths, and so angels, to enter in, the Lord drives away from that seat those who are from hell. And once they have been driven away, the gate to heaven, or heaven itself, is opened. This gate also is mentioned in various places in the Word, as in Isaiah,

A song in the land of Judah, Ours is a strong city, salvation will establish walls and rampart. Open the gates and the righteous nation that keeps faith will enter in. Isaiah 26:1-2.

In the same prophet,

Thus said Jehovah to His anointed, to Cyrus, whose right hand I have grasped to put down nations before him, and I will open the loins of kings, to open doors before him, and the gates will not be shut; I will go before you and make straight the crooked places; I will break in pieces the doors of bronze and cut asunder the bars of iron. Isaiah 45:1-2.

In the same prophet,

The sons of the foreigner will build up your walls, and their kings will minister to you. They will keep your gates open continually, day and night they will not be shut. Violence will no more be heard in your land, devastation and ruin within your borders; and you will call your walls Salvation, and your gates Praise. Isaiah 60:10-11, 18.

In the same prophet,

Go through, go through the gates; prepare the way for the people; level out, level out the highway. Say to the daughter of Zion, Behold, your salvation comes. Isaiah 62:10-12.

In Micah,

They will go through the gate, and go out by it; and their king will go on before them, and Jehovah at the head of them. Micah 2:13.

In David,

Lift up your heads, O gates, and be lifted up, O eternal doors, and the King of glory will come in. Who is this King of glory? Jehovah strong and mighty, Jehovah mighty in battle. Lift up your heads, O gates, lift up, O eternal doors. Psalms 24:7-10.

In the same author,

Celebrate Jehovah, O Jerusalem, praise your God, O Zion! For He strengthens the bars of your gates, He blesses your children in the midst of you. Psalms 147:12-13.

[15] From all these places it is evident that 'the gate of heaven' is the place where angels are present with a person, that is, where good and truth are flowing in from the Lord. Thus there are, as has been stated, two gates, to which the Lord refers in Matthew as follows,

Enter by the narrow gate, for the gate is wide and the road is broad which leads away to destruction; and those who enter by it are many. For narrow and strait is the road that leads to life, and those who find it are few. Matthew 7:12-14; Luke 13:23-24.

In addition the gates to the New Jerusalem and the gates to the new Temple are dealt with extensively in Ezekiel and also in John, in the Book of Revelation. By these gates nothing else is meant than the entrances into heaven - see Ezekiel 40:6-49; 43:1-2, 4; 44:1-3; 46:1-9, 12; 48:31-34; Revelation 21:12-13, 21, 25; 22:14; Isaiah 54:11-12. And this is why Jerusalem is called The Gate of the People, Micah 1:9; Obad. verse 13.

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