THE EXPLANATION of Isaiah Chapter 66

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

1. THUS says Jehovah: The heavens are My throne, and the earth is My footstool: where is this house which you build for Me ? and where is this place of My rest?

VERSE 1. The "heavens" are things celestial and spiritual, consequently inmost things. both of the Lord's kingdom in the heavens, and of the Lord's kingdom in the earth, or in the church, and also with every individual man who is a kingdom of the Lord, or a church; consequently the "heavens" denote likewise all things appertaining to love and charity, and faith grounded therein, as also of things appertaining to internal worship, and in like manner all things appertaining to the internal sense of the Word; all these things are heavens, and are called "the throne of the Lord."

But the "earth" denotes all inferior things corresponding to these internal or superior things, as inferior rational and natural things, whereof all things celestial and spiritual are predicated by reason of correspondence; these inferior things are such as are in the inferior heavens, and also in the church, and in external worship, and likewise such as are in the literal sense of the Word; in short, all things which proceed from internal things, and are fixed and exhibited in things external, as being things natural, are called "earth", and "the Lord's footstool."

What is meant by "heaven" and "earth", in the internal sense, may be seen, Arcana Coelestia 82; what by the "new heaven" and the "new earth", Arcana Coelestia 2117; and that man is a "little heaven", see Arcana Coelestia 911, 978. Arcana Coelestia 2162.

2. For all these things My hand has made; and all these things exist [by Me], says Jehovah: and to him will I look, even to him that is humble and of a contrite spirit, and that trembles at My Word.

Verse 2. As to "creation", and as to the end for which it exists, see Chapter 43:1, 7, the Exposition.

To him will I look, even to him that is humble and of a contrite spirit. - Good and Truth from the Lord can flow in into a humble and contrite heart, which acknowledges that in itself there is nothing but evil, and in the Lord nothing but Good; for in this acknowledgement there is the annihilation of self, thus a state of aversion and absence from self.

Thus they who are averse to all that is evil and false, because it is from themselves, and in the affection of all that is Good and True, because it is from the Lord, are in humiliation, and in a state of receiving Good and Truth from the Lord. A merely external humiliation is not the humiliation of acknowledgement, for the latter cannot exist without the correspondence of the external and internal, and thus, their conjunction. Unless a man humbles himself by acknowledging that he is nothing but evil, he is in merit and in self-righteousness; and as Good cannot then flow in, he cannot be withheld from the evils of his proprium.

The Lord requires humiliation and adoration, not for the sake of Himself, but for the sake of man, who is thus brought into a state of receiving Good, and of being separated from the love of self and its evils.

By "humbling himself" is denoted that a man ought to compel himself to submit to Divine Good and Divine Truth. Arcana Coelestia 3994. See also Arcana Coelestia 1937, 1947, 4956, 5420, 5758, 5957, 8263.

[To "tremble at the Lord's Word", is to come into this state of humiliation.]

3. He that slays an ox, smites a man; he that sacrifices a lamb, beheads a dog; he that makes an oblation, [offers] swine's blood; he that offers incense, blesses an idol: yea, they have chosen these things in their own ways; and in their abominations their soul delights.

Verse 3. To "slay or to sacrifice an ox", and to "smite a man", signify to worship God in externals, and nevertheless to reject all Truth; by "sacrificing an ox" is signified worship from those things which represented natural Good; for an "ox" denotes natural Good; and by "smiting a man" is meant to reject and to deny the Truth, "man", in the Word, denoting Truth.

To "offer incense", and to "bless an idol [or vanity]", signify to worship God from such things as represented spiritual Good, and notwithstanding, to love evil and the false, and to imbibe them; an "offering of incense" denoting worship from spiritual Good, and "vanity" [or an idol] evil and the false of evil. Apocalypse Explained 340.

He that sacrifices a lamb, beheads a dog; he that makes an oblation, [offers] swine's blood. - [It does not appear that Swedenborg has expounded, or even quoted these two clauses of the verse, but the following, we submit, is, from correspondence, the spiritual instruction they involve. To "sacrifice a lamb", is to worship from pretended innocence in the external form; but instead thereof to "behead (or to decollate) a dog", is to worship from selfish and sensual cupidities, denoted by a "dog". (See the Exposition of Isaiah Chapter 56:10.)

All those who, in the external form, worship under the semblance of innocence and piety, and yet, in the internal, cherish the filthy cupidities of whoredom, fraud, malice, etc., are guilty of this abominable profanity.

To "make an oblation", is to worship in the external form under the pretence of love to the Lord and to the neighbour, or from celestial Good, signified by an "oblation" or a "meat-offering"; (Arcana Coelestia 458) but instead thereof to "offer swine's blood", is to cherish in the heart the cupidities of avarice, (see Chapter 65:4, the Exposition), and the false principles, signified by the "blood", which are connected with these cupidities.

The inside must first be cleansed of these cupidities and evils, before a pure and an acceptable worship can be offered to the Lord, who says, "You blind Pharisee, cleanse first that which is within the cup and the platter, that the outside of them may be clean also." Matthew 23:26.]

He that offers incense, blesses an idol. - To "offer incense" is to worship from spiritual Good, (Apocalypse Explained 491) which is love to the neighbour, or charity; [but by doing this in the external form, and, at the same time to "bless an idol", is to cherish what is evil and false in the internal, or in the heart. All who go to church to worship God, and, at the same time, do not in their daily life act justly with their neighbour, but cherish fraud, ill-will, malice, or some other evil in their hearts, instead of worshipping God, "bless an idol, or what is vain.]

As to the true nature of worship, signified by "incense", "sacrifices", etc., see Chapter 43:23; also Chapter 1:11-19, the Exposition.

In their abominations their soul delights. - "Abominations" signify infernal evils; also profanations of the holy things of the church; and especially the evils of murder, hatred, adultery, whoredom, theft, fraud, falsehood, and lies, etc., forbidden in the second table of the Decalogue. Apocalypse Explained 728, 821. See also Apocalypse Explained 827.

4. I will also choose their devices, and the things they dread I will bring upon them; because I called, and no one answered; I spake, and they did not hear: and they did evil in Mine eyes, and that in which I delighted not they have chosen.

Verse 4. Evil brings upon itself its own punishment, which, at the period of Judgment, breaks out and overwhelms the wicked. The punishment of evil was represented by this law of retaliation:

"An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth, burning for burning", etc. (Exodus 21:24, 25)

The punishment of retaliation comes from this law of order in heaven:

"All things whatsoever you would that men should do to you, even so do you to them; this is the Law and the Prophets"; (Matthew 7:12) wherefore they who do good from good, or from the heart, receive good from others; and, on the other hand, likewise, they who do evil from evil, or from the heart, receive evil from others. Hence it is that every good has its own recompense adjoined to it, and every evil its own punishment. Arcana Coelestia 8214

Because I called, and no one answered; I spoke, and they did not hear, etc. - That to "call" and to "answer" denotes reciprocation, reception, and conjunction; but that to "call" and "not to answer" signifies non-reciprocation, non-reception, and non-conjunction, see Chapter 36:21, the Exposition.

5. Hear you the word of Jehovah, you that tremble at His Word! Your brethren that have bated you, and that have cast you out for My name's sake, have said, Let Jehovah be glorified! and we shall see your joy; but they shall be ashamed.

Verse 5. It does not appear that Swedenborg has quoted this verse, but from the internal sense in the margin, it would seem that the "brethren" here intended are those who, although out of the church, are nevertheless in charity, and of whom a church can consequently be formed. The reason why it is said that "they have hated and cast them out (the people of the Jewish church) for the Lord's name's sake", is, we apprehend, because the Gentiles had a great aversion to the Jews, as a people, on account of their arrogance and cruelties, as described by Swedenborg in the Exposition of verse 20. These "brethren" will say, "Let Jehovah be glorified! that we may see the joy of those who thus desire to see Jehovah glorified"; or, that the Lord should be acknowledged and worshipped; whilst the wicked, or "they who plot devices" (verse 4), and thus do evil, shall be "ashamed and rejected."]

That to be "ashamed" signifies to be averse to what is Good, and consequently to be in evil, see Chapter 24:2, the Exposition.

6. A voice of tumult from the city! a voice from the temple! the voice of Jehovah! rendering recompense to His enemies,

Verse 6. By the "city" is understood the doctrine of Truth; by "temple" the church, and by "the voice of Jehovah from the temple" Divine Truth itself. Apocalypse Explained 220.

7. Before she was in travail, she brought forth; before her pangs came upon her, she was delivered of a male.

Verses 7-11. These words treat of the advent of the Lord, and of the establishment of the church with the Gentiles. Their reformation and regeneration is described by "travailing", "bringing forth", and by being" delivered of a male", and by "coming to the birth", and by "generating"; for, as was said above, the man who is born anew, is, in like manner, as it were, conceived, carried in the womb, born, educated, and grows to adolescence, as from a father and mother.

By "Zion" and "Jerusalem" are here understood the church and its doctrine; and by "sucking", and by being "satisfied from the breast of her consolations", is signified to be fully instructed in Truths originating in Good from the delight of love, according to desire.

By the "one day", in which these things shall take place, is signified the advent of the Lord. Apocalypse Explained 721. See also Arcana Coelestia 264.

Verse 7. She was delivered of a male. - By a "son", in the Word, is signified the Truth of doctrine, also the understanding, and hence the thought of what is True and Good; but by a "daughter" is meant the Good of doctrine, and also the will, and hence the affection of what is True and Good; and by "a son a male" is signified Truth conceived in the spiritual man, and born in the natural. The reason is, because by "generations" and "nativities", in the Word, are signified spiritual generations and nativities, all which, in general, relate to what is Good and True; for nothing else is generated and born of the Lord as "Husband", and of the church as a "wife." Apocalypse Revealed 543.

8. Who has heard a thing like this? Who has seen things like these? Does the earth bring forth in one day'? Is a nation born at once? for as soon as Zion was in travail, she brought forth her sons.

9. Shall I bring to the birth, and not cause to bring forth? says Jehovah: shall I cause to bring forth, and shut up [the womb]? says your God.

Verse 8. Where the reason of its being said, "Does the earth bring forth in one day? Is a nation born at once?" is, because the "earth" signifies the church.

By " bringing forth" and by "birth", and also by " generating" and "generation", in the Word, are signified spiritual births and generations, which are of Faith and of Love, thus reformation and regeneration.

What the "new heavens" and "new earth " signify, has been already explained. Apocalypse Explained 304. See also True Christian Religion 583.

10. Rejoice with Jerusalem, and exult in her, all you that love her: be exceedingly joyful with her, all you that mourn over her:

11. That you may suck, and be satisfied from the breast of her consolations; that you may draw forth [nourishment], and be delighted from the brightness of her glory.

12. For thus says Jehovah, Behold, I will spread over her peace like a river; and like a flowing stream the glory of the nations: and you shall suck; you shall be carried at the side; and on the knees shall you be caressed.

13. As a man whom his mother comforts, so will I comfort you; and in Jerusalem shall you have comfort.

Verses 10-12. Here also by "Jerusalem" is understood the church as to doctrine, or, what is the same thing, the doctrine of the church; concerning the latter it is said - "Rejoice with Jerusalem and exult in her, all you that love her"; and concerning doctrine it is also said, "That you may suck, and be satisfied from the breast of her consolations; that you may draw forth [nourishment] from the brightness of her glory"; by the "breast of consolations" is signified the Divine Good, and by the "brightness or splendour of glory" the Divine Truth from which doctrine is derived.

That there shall be an abundance of all those things by virtue of conjunction with the Lord, is signified by "Behold, I will spread over her peace like a river; and like a flowing stream, the glory of the nations; and you shall suck"; - "peace" signifying conjunction with the Lord, and the "glory of the nations "the conjunction of Good and Truth thence derived; to "suck" denotes influx from the Lord; and a "river" and a "flowing stream "denote abundance.

That hence exist spiritual love and celestial love, by which conjunction with the Lord is effected, is signified by "You shall be carried at the side, and on the knees shall you be caressed;"-the "side" signifying spiritual love, and the "knees" celestial love; and to be "taken up and be caressed", is eternal felicity by virtue of conjunction.

That the "breasts" signify spiritual love and also the "side" or " breast", may be seen above, Apocalypse Explained 65; that the "knees" denote conjugial love, and hence celestial love, may be seen in the Arcana Coelestia 3021 Arcana Coelestia 3021[1-8] Arcana Coelestia 3021[1-8] Arcana Coelestia 3021[1-8], 5060-5062.

That "glory" signifies Divine Truth, and intelligence and wisdom thence derived, may be seen above, n. Apocalypse Explained 34, 288; and that "nations" signify those who are in the Good of love, and, abstractedly from persons, the Goods of love, may also be seen above, Apocalypse Explained 175, 331.

Hence "the glory of the nations" is genuine Truth, originating in the Good of love, and consequently their conjunction. Apocalypse Explained 305. See also Chapter 60:15, 16, the Exposition.

14. And you shall see it, and your heart shall rejoice; and your bones shall bud forth like the herb: and the hand of Jehovah shall be made known to His servants; but He will be indignant against His enemies.

Verse 14. And your bones shall bud forth like the herb, etc. - As to the meaning of "flesh" and "bones", both in a good and in a bad sense, see Chapter 58:11, the Exposition.

15. For, behold, Jehovah shall come in fire; and like a whirlwind are His chariots: to recompense in the wrath of His anger; and His rebuke in flames of fire.

Verse 15. Like a whirlwind are His chariots, etc. - For what is said respecting "whirlwinds" and "storms", etc., at the time of Judgment in the world of spirits, see Chapter 17:13, the Exposition.

16. For by fire shall Jehovah contend, and by His sword, with all flesh: and many shall be the slain of Jehovah.

Verse 16. By a "sword", in this passage, is signified Truth combating and destroying; this destruction appears especially in the spiritual world, where they who are in falsities cannot sustain the Truth, but are in a state of anguish, as if they struggled with death, when they come into the sphere of light, that is, into the sphere of Divine Truth; and thus also they are deprived of Truths, and devastated. As most expressions in the Word have also an opposite sense, so likewise has the "sword", and in that sense it signifies the false combating against Truth, and destroying it. Apocalypse Explained 131.

17. They who sanctify themselves, and purify themselves in the gardens behind one [tree] in the midst, eating swine's flesh, and the abominable thing, and the mouse; together shall they be consumed, says Jehovah.

Verse 17. That to "sanctify themselves in gardens", is to worship from intelligence self-derived, and thus from false doctrines, see just above, Chap 65:3, 4, the Exposition. "Behind one [tree] in the midst"; this "one in the midst." (whether it be a tree or an idol), implies the governing principle which rules in this perverted state of self-intelligence and of impure worship.

This "one thing in the midst" has its origin either in the love of self, - and is, therefore, either the love of dominion and power and pre-eminence, - or in the love of the world; and is, consequently, the love of opulence, and the pride and conceit of one's own intelligence. It is said to be "in the midst", because whatsoever is in the centre, universally governs, as one king in his kingdom.

What the "eating of swine's flesh and of the abominable thing" signifies, may be seen above, Chapter 65:4, the Exposition.

As to the "mouse", which was unclean, (Leviticus 11:29) and which signifies the cupidities of the sordidly avaricious, see Arcana Coelestia 938, 1514.

To cherish these cupidities is, in the language of correspondences, signified by "eating mice", which was forbidden as an abomination in the Lord's sight.]

18. For I [know] their works and their thoughts: and [the time] shall come to gather all nations and tongues together; and they shall come, and shall see My glory.

Verses 18, 19. These words are said concerning the Lord, and concerning the New Church to be established by Him, consequently concerning the "new heavens" and the "new earth", as is evident from verse 22 of this chapter.

By "gathering together all nations and tongues", is signified the same as by "gathering together the elect from the four winds"; (Matthew 24:31) to "gather together" signifies to call to Himself those who are His; "nations" denote those who are in Good, and "tongues" those who are in life according to doctrine; to "come" and to "see the glory of the Lord", is to be illustrated in Divine Truth, and to be thence in the fruition of heavenly joy; for the "glory of the Lord" signifies the Divine Truth, and illustration and joy therefrom.

To "set a sign upon them", signifies to distinguish and separate them from the evil, and to conjoin them to the good. Apocalypse Explained 427. See also Apocalypse Revealed 347.

19. And I will set a sign upon them, and those that escape I will send to the nations; to Tarshish, Pul, and Lud, who draw the bow; to Tubal, and Javan, and the islands afar off; to those who have not heard My fame, and who have not seen My glory: and they shall declare My glory among the nations.

Verse 19. "Those that escape" signify remains or remnants. (See above, Chap, 1:9, the Exposition.) "Tarshish" signifies those who are in external worship [but from somewhat of an internal principle]; "Pul and Lud, drawing the bow", signify those who are in the knowledges of Truth, namely, from the Lord, by charity, and thus by faith, by means of reason and science, as in Ezekiel:

"They of Persia, of Lud, and of Phut, were in thine army, your men of war; they banged their shield and their helmet in you; they set forth your comeliness"; (Ezekiel 27:10) where the subject treated of is concerning Tyre.

"Lud" and "Phut" denote knowledges, which are said to be "in an army", and are called "men of war", because they serve to defend Truths, and are a support to reason, which is also understood by "hanging up the shield and the helmet." That by "Phut'" are signified the exterior knowledges of the Word, may be seen above, Arcana Coelestia 1166.

By "drawing the bow", as said of those who are meant by "Tubal" and "Javan", is signified to teach doctrine. Arcana Coelestia 1231.

[By these words are therefore implied that the "remains", or those who escape at the period of Judgment, will be sent to those who can instruct them in Truths from the Word, and initiate them into the externals of a true worship.]

20. And they shall bring all your brethren, from all the nations, an offering to Jehovah; upon horses, and in chariots, and in litters; upon mules, and upon dromedaries; to the mountain of My holiness, to Jerusalem, says Jehovah: like as the sons of Israel bring an offering in a clean vessel to the house of Jehovah.

Verse 20. This passage treats concerning the establishment of the New Church by the Lord; wherefore it is not understood that "they shall bring their brethren upon horses, and in chariots, and in liners, upon mules, and upon dromedaries, into Jerusalem", but that all who are in Good are to be instructed in divine Truths, and being thereby made intelligent and wise, are to be introduced into the church; for by "brethren" are signified all who are in Good; by "horses" is denoted the understanding of Truth, by "chariots" the doctrine of Truth, by "litters the knowledges of Truth, by "mules" the internal rational [principle], which is spiritual, and by "dromedaries" [or swift beasts] the external rational [principle], which is natural; by Jerusalem is signified the church, where is the doctrine of Truth which is called "the mountain of holiness" from the love of Truth. Apocalypse Explained 355.

By "horses", "chariots", "litters", "mules", and "dromedaries" in the spiritual sense , are understood things appertaining to doctrine, and thence to the church; for the subject here treated of is concerning the New Church to be established by the Lord.

By "horses" are signified intellectual things, by "chariots" doctrine", by "litters" doctrinals of Good, by "mules" rational things, and by "dromedaries" likewise things rational as to Good.

By the "brethren", whom they shall bring, are signified all who are in the Good of charity; and by "Jerusalem, the mountain of holiness", is signified the church in which charity reigns. Apocalypse Explained 1155. See also Apocalypse Explained 175.

As the sons of Israel bring an offering in a clean vessel, etc. - As to the meaning of "vessels", see Chapter 52:11, the Exposition. "An offering in a clean vessel" is representative of sincere and holy worship: See the Exposition of Isaiah Chapter 18:7.

21. And of them will I also take for priests and for Levites, says Jehovah.

Verse 21. What "priests" and "ministers" signify, see Chapter 61:6, the Exposition. "Levites" and the "tribe of Levi" signify the church as to its charity and good works; for every "tribe" has its own particular signification. The reason why the "tribe of Levi" signifies [in a good sense] good works is, because spiritual love, or charity, consists in performing Goods, which are good works. Essential charity, viewed in itself, is the affection of Truth and Good, and where that affection is, there is a life according to Truths and Goods; for affection, without a life according to the Truths and Goods with which it is affected, has no existence. If such affection be supposed to exist and to be present, it is a natural affection, and not a spiritual one. These two affections differ in this, that natural affection has for its end self and the world, therefore the Truths and Goods with which a person is then affected he loves for the sake of his own fame, and to obtain honour and gain; in which case the life according to doctrinals is only assumed from self for the sake of appearance, and so it is pretended and inwardly hypocritical; but spiritual affection has for its end the Lord, heaven, and life eternal, which it regards in the Truths and Goods, thus it loves Truths and Goods spiritually; and when this affection has place with man, he then loves to think those things and to will them, consequently to live according to them.

To live according to Goods and Truths is understood in the Word by "doing", and the life itself by the "deeds" and "works" which are so often mentioned in the Word.

These, therefore, are what were represented and signified by "Levi" and his "tribe" in the church with the Jews. Inasmuch as this affection is the very essential principle of the church, therefore the "tribe of Levi" was made the priesthood; and therefore "the staff of Levi in the tent of the assembly blossomed with almonds"; and therefore to that "tribe" was given an inheritance, not in the same manner as the rest, but amongst each of them.

Inasmuch as most things in the Word have also an opposite sense, so have "Levi" and his "tribe"; and in this sense "Levi" signifies the evil of the falsity which is opposite to the Good of Charity, consequently no charity towards the neighbour. This is signified by "Levi", in the prophecy of Israel concerning his sons, in Genesis 49:5-7; this opposite principle is also understood by the "Levite", in theLord's parable concerning him who was wounded by thieves. (See Luke 10:29-37.) Apocalypse Explained 444.

22. For like as the new heavens and the new earth, which I will make, shall stand before Me, says Jehovah: so shall stand your seed and your name,

Verse 22. Speaking of the Lord, and of the salvation of the faithful by Him. The New Church from Him is understood by "the new heavens and the new earth", - by the "new heavens" the internal church, and by the "new earth" the external church. That divine Truth and its quality shall continue, is signified by "so shall stand your seed and your name", "seed" denoting divine Truth which also is the Truth of doctrine from the Word, and "name" is the quality thereof; that by "name" is signified the quality of a thing and state, may be seen above, n. 148. Apocalypse Explained 768. See also Chapter 65:17, 18, the Exposition.

23. And it shall be, that from one new moon to another, and from one Sabbath to another, all flesh shall come to bow down before Me, says Jehovah.

Verse 23. By "month" or "moon" is signified man's state of life as to Truth. He who thinks that man does Good which is acceptable to the Lord, and which is called spiritual Good, If there are not in him Truths from the Word, is much mistaken. Goods without Truths are not Goods, and Truths without Goods are not Truths in man, although they are Truth in themselves; for Good without Truth is like the voluntary principle of man without understanding, , which voluntary principle is not human, but is like that of a beast, or like that of an image which an artist causes to operate; but the voluntary principle, united with its intellectual principle, becomes human according to the state of the understanding by which it exists; for every man's state of life is such, that his will cannot do anything but by his understanding, neither can his understanding, think anything but from his will.

It is the same with Good and Truth, because Good is of the will, and Truth is of the understanding. From these considerations it is evident that the Good which the Lord produces in man, is according to the state of the Truth in man, from which the understanding is formed. The reason why this is signified by "the Tree of Life yielding its fruit according to every month"; is, because by "month" is signified the state of Truth in man.

That by all "times" and "seasons", as hours, days, weeks, months, years, ages, are signified states of life, may be seen, Apocalypse Revealed 476, 562.

The reason why "months" signify states of life relating to Truth, is, because by "months" are signified times determined by the moon, and by the "moon" is understood the Truth of the understanding and of faith.

The like is also signified by "months" in the following passages:

"Blessed of Jehovah is the land of Joseph, with the precious things of the produce of the sun, and with the precious things of the produce of the months", (Deuteronomy 33:13, 14)

By reason of the signification of "month" or "moon", sacrifices were offered at the beginning of every month or new moon. (Numbers 29:6; Isaiah 1:14) Apocalypse Revealed 935.

24. And they shall go forth, and shall see the carcases of the men who have transgressed against Me: for their worm shall not die, and their fire shall not be quenched; and they shall be an abhorrence unto all flesh.

Verse 24. What is signified by a "carcase", see Chapter 34:3, the Exposition.

By "their worm dying not", is signified the false principle of evil which is in the good derived from man's selfhood, which false principle is compared to a "worm", because their effects are similar; for the false principle corrodes, and thereby torments. There are two things which make hell, as there are two things which make heaven; - the two things which make heaven are Good and Truth, and the two things which make hell are evil and what is false. Consequently those two things in heaven are what make happiness there, and the two things in hell are what make torment there. Torment in hell, derived from the false principle, is compared to a "worm", and torment from evil is compared to "fire", as in Isaiah 66:24; and in Mark:

"Where their worm dieth not, and their fire shall not be quenched." (Mark 9:44, 46, 48) Arcana Coelestia 8481.

Their fire shall not be quenched. - All love in the spiritual world, when it is excited, appears at a distance like fire; within the hells like a burning fire; and without, like the smoke of a burning fire, or like the smoke of a furnace. Apocalypse Explained 422.

Infernal spirits are not in any material fire, but in spiritual fire, which is their love, wherefore they do not feel any other fire; concerning which, see Heaven and Hell 566-575.

In respect to "fire", in a bad sense, as signifying the evil of lusts and cupidities arising from the love of self and of the world, see Chapter 9:17-19; 33:11, 12, 14, the Exposition.

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Isaiah Chapter 66.

1. THUS says Jehovah: The heavens are My throne, and the earth is My footstool: where is this house which you build for Me? and where is this place of My rest?

2. For all these things My hand has made; and all these things exist [by Me], says Jehovah: and to him will I look, even to him that is humble and of a contrite spirit, and that trembles at My Word.

3. He that slays an ox, smites a man; he that sacrifices a lamb, beheads a dog; he that makes an oblation, [offers] swine's blood; he that offers incense, blesses an idol: yea, they have chosen these things in their own ways; and in their abominations their soul delights.

4. I will also choose their devices, and the things they dread I will bring upon them; because I called, and no one answered; I spake, and they did not hear: and they did evil in Mine eyes, and that in which I delighted not they have chosen.

5. Hear you the word of Jehovah, you that tremble at His Word! Your brethren that have bated you, and that have cast you out for My name's sake, have said, Let Jehovah be glorified! and we shall see your joy; but they shall be ashamed.

6. A voice of tumult from the city! a voice from the temple! the voice of Jehovah! rendering recompense to His enemies,

7. Before she was in travail, she brought forth; before her pangs came upon her, she was delivered of a male.

8. Who has heard a thing like this? Who has seen things like these? Does the earth bring forth in one day? Is a nation born at once? for as soon as Zion was in travail, she brought forth her sons.

9. Shall I bring to the birth, and not cause to bring forth? says Jehovah: shall I cause to bring forth, and shut up [the womb]? says your God.

10. Rejoice with Jerusalem, and exult in her, all you that love her: be exceedingly joyful with her, all you that mourn over her:

11. That you may suck, and be satisfied from the breast of her consolations; that you may draw forth [nourishment], and be delighted from the brightness of her glory.

12. For thus says Jehovah, Behold, I will spread over her peace like a river; and like a flowing stream the glory of the nations: and you shall suck; you shall be carried at the side; and on the knees shall you be caressed.

13. As a man whom his mother comforts, so will I comfort you; and in Jerusalem shall you have comfort.

14. And you shall see it, and your heart shall rejoice; and your bones shall bud forth like the herb: and the hand of Jehovah shall be made known to His servants; but He will be indignant against His enemies.

15. For, behold, Jehovah shall come in fire; and like a whirlwind are His chariots: to recompense in the wrath of His anger; and His rebuke in flames of fire.

16. For by fire shall Jehovah contend, and by His sword, with all flesh: and many shall be the slain of Jehovah.

17. They who sanctify themselves, and purify themselves in the gardens behind one [tree] in the midst, eating swine's flesh, and the abominable thing, and the mouse; together shall they be consumed, says Jehovah.

18. For I [know] their works and their thoughts: and [the time] shall come to gather all nations and tongues together; and they shall come, and shall see My glory.

19. And I will set a sign upon them, and those that escape I will send to the nations; to Tarshish, Pul, and Lud, who draw the bow; to Tubal, and Javan, and the islands afar off; to those who have not heard My fame, and who have not seen My glory: and they shall declare My glory among the nations.

20. And they shall bring all your brethren, from all the nations, an offering to Jehovah; upon horses, and in chariots, and in litters; upon mules, and upon dromedaries; to the mountain of My holiness, to Jerusalem, says Jehovah: like as the sons of Israel bring an offering in a clean vessel to the house of Jehovah.

21. And of them will I also take for priests and for Levites, says Jehovah.

22. For like as the new heavens and the new earth, which I will make, shall stand before Me, says Jehovah: so shall stand your seed and your name,

23. And it shall be, that from one new moon to another, and from one Sabbath to another, all flesh shall come to bow down before Me, says Jehovah.

24. And they shall go forth, and shall see the carcases of the men who have transgressed against Me: for their worm shall not die, and their fire shall not be quenched; and they shall be an abhorrence unto all flesh.

768. And went away to make war with the remnant of her seed, signifies and an ardent effort, springing from a life of evil, to assault the truths of doctrine of that church. This is evident from the signification of "going away," as being an ardent effort from a life of evil (of which presently); also from the signification of "making war," as being to assault and to wish to destroy (of which above n. 573, 734); also from the signification of "her seed," as being the truths of doctrine of the church (of which also presently). It is said "the remnant of her seed" because it means those who are in these truths, and in an abstract sense the truths of that church, which they believe themselves capable of assaulting and destroying. "To go away" signifies an ardent effort from a life of evil, because "to go" signifies in the spiritual sense to live, therefore in the Word the expressions "going with the Lord," and "walking with Him" and "after Him," are used, and these signify to live from the Lord; but when "going" is predicated of the dragon, whose life is a life of evil, it signifies to make an effort from that life; and because that effort is an effort from hatred, which is signified by "his anger" (See above, n. 754, 758), so an ardent effort is signified because he who makes an effort from hatred makes an ardent effort.

[2] As the hatred of those who are meant by "the dragon" is a hatred against those who are in the truths of doctrine of the church which is the New Jerusalem, therefore it is a hatred against the truths of doctrine that such have. For those who are in love towards anyone, as also those who are in hatred against anyone, are indeed in love towards a person or in hatred against a person with whom those things are which they either love or hate, and these are the truths of doctrine with them, therefore the truths of doctrine are signified by "the remnant of her seed." This shows that in the spiritual sense of the Word person is not regarded, but a thing abstracted from person, as here a thing that is with the person. This may be further illustrated by the saying in the Word that the neighbor must be loved as one loves himself, but in the spiritual sense this does not mean that the neighbor is thus to be loved in respect to person, but those things are to be loved which are from the Lord with the person; for a person is not actually loved because of his being a person or a man, but because of his being such as he is; thus the person is loved because of his quality, consequently that quality is meant by "neighbor," and that is the spiritual neighbor or the neighbor in the spiritual sense that must be loved; and this with those who are of the Lord's church is everything that proceeds from the Lord; and this in general refers to all good, spiritual, moral, and civil; therefore those who are in these goods love those who are in the same goods; and this therefore is to love one's neighbor as oneself.

[3] From this it can be seen that "the remnant of her seed," namely, of the woman who signifies the church, means those who are in the truths of doctrine of that church; and in a sense abstracted from persons which is the genuine spiritual sense, the truths of the doctrine of that church are meant.

Likewise elsewhere in the Word, as in the following passages. In Moses:

I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and the woman's seed. He shall trample on thy head and thou shalt wound his heel (Genesis 3:15).

This is a prophecy respecting the Lord. The "serpent" here signifies the sensual of man, where what is man's own has its seat, which in itself is nothing but evil; and the "woman" signifies the spiritual church, or the church which is in Divine truths. And as the sensual of man has been destroyed, and when the man of the church becomes spiritual he is elevated out of the sensual, it is said, "there shall be enmity between thee and the woman." "The seed of the serpent" signifies all falsity from evil, and "the seed of the woman" all truth from good, and in the highest degree Divine truth; and as all Divine truth is from the Lord, and as by it the Lord destroys falsity from evil, it is said "He shall trample on thy head, "He" meaning the Lord, and "head" all falsity from evil. That the sensual would still do injury to Divine truth in its ultimates, which is the Word in the sense of the letter, is signified by "He shall wound the heel;" "the heel" signifying that ultimate and that sense. That the ultimate of truth and the sense of the letter have suffered and do still suffer hurt from the sensual, can be seen from this single example, that the papists understand the woman here to mean Mary and the worship of her; therefore in their Bibles the reading is not "He," but "it" and "she." So in a thousand other passages.

[4] In Jeremiah:

Behold the days shall come in which I will sow the house of Israel and the house of Judah with the seed of man and with the seed of beast (Jeremiah 31:27).

This is said of the Lord, and of the New Church from Him. His coming is signified by "Behold the days shall come;" "to sow the house of Israel and the house of Judah" signifies to reform those who will be of that church, "the house of Israel" signifying the spiritual church, and "the house of Judah" the celestial church; and as reformation is effected by means of spiritual truths and by means of natural truths therefrom, it is said "with the seed of man and with the seed of beast;" "the seed of man" signifying spiritual truth from which man has intelligence, and "the seed of beast" signifying natural truth from which man has knowledge, also life according to it, both of these from the affection of good. That "man" signifies the affection of spiritual truth and good may be seen above (n. 280); and "beast" natural affection (n. 650); thus "the seed of man and the seed of beast" signify the truths of those affections.

In Malachi:

There is not one who doeth this who hath the spirit; is there one that seeketh the seed of God? (Malachi 2:15)

"Is there one that seeketh the seed of God?" signifies that no one seeks Divine truth; evidently "the seed of God" here signifies Divine truth; so "the born of God" mean those who are regenerated by the Lord by means of Divine truth, and a life according thereto.

[5] In Isaiah:

Jehovah willed to bruise Him, He hath weakened Him; if Thou shalt make His soul a guilt offering, He shall see seed, He shall prolong days, and the will of Jehovah shall prosper by His hand (Isaiah 53:10).

This is said of the Lord, and the whole of this chapter treats of His temptations, by means of which He subjugated the hells. The increasing grievousness of His temptations is described by "Jehovah willed to bruise Him, and to weaken Him;" the most grievous temptation, which was the passion of the cross, is signified by "if Thou shalt make His soul a guilt offering;" "to make His soul a guilt offering" signifies the last temptation, by which He fully subjugated the hells and fully glorified His Human, which is the means of redemption. The Divine truth that afterwards proceeded from His Divine Human, and the salvation of all who receive Divine truth from Him, is signified by "He shall see seed;" that this will continue forever is signified by "He shall prolong days;" "to prolong" signifying in reference to the Lord to continue forever, and "days" signifying states of light, which are states of the enlightenment of all by Divine truth; that this is from His Divine for the salvation of the human race is signified by "the will of Jehovah shall prosper by His hand."

[6] In the same:

Fear not, for I am with thee; I will bring thy seed from the sunrise, and I will bring thee together from the west; I will say to the north, Give, and to the south, Hold not back; bring my sons from afar, and my daughters from the end of the earth (Isaiah 43:5, 6).

This is supposed to refer to the bringing back of the sons of Israel into the land of Canaan; but this is not the meaning here; but it means the salvation by the Lord of all who receive Divine truth from Him; and of whom the New Church consists; this is what is signified by "His seed which shall be brought from the sunrise, and brought together from the west, and which the north shall give and the south ¹ shall not hold back," therefore it also follows: "Bring My sons from afar, and My daughters from the end of the earth;" "sons" signifying those who are in the truths of the church, and "daughters" those who are in its goods. (But these words may be seen explained above, n. 422, 724)

[7] In the same:

On the right hand and on the left thou shalt break forth, and thy seed shall inherit the nations and make the desolate cities to be inhabited (Isaiah 54:3).

This is said of the church from the Lord with the Gentiles, which church is here meant by "the barren woman that did not bear," who should have many sons (verse 1). "The seed that shall inherit the nations" signifies the Divine truth that shall be given to the Gentiles; "to break forth on the right hand and on the left" signifies extension and multiplication; the "right hand" signifying truth in light, and the "left hand" truth in the shade, for the reason that in the spiritual world to the right hand is the south where those are who are in the clear light of truth, and to the left is the north where those are who are in an obscure light of truth. "To make the desolate cities to be inhabited" signifies their life according to Divine truths, which before this had been lost; "cities" meaning the truths of doctrine from the Word; "to be inhabited" signifying to live according to truths, and "desolate cities" those truths heretofore lost, that is, with the Jewish nation.

[8] In the same:

Their seed shall become known among the nations and their offspring in the midst of the peoples; all that see them shall acknowledge them that they are the seed that Jehovah hath blessed (Isaiah 61:9).

This, too, is said of the church to be established by the Lord. "The seed that shall become known among the nations" signifies Divine truth that will be received by those who are in the good of life; "and the offspring in the midst of the peoples" signifies life according to Divine truth; "those that see them and shall acknowledge that they are the seed" signifies enlightenment, that it is the genuine truth that they receive; "that Jehovah hath blessed" signifies that it is from the Lord. But such is the signification of these words in a sense abstracted from persons, but in a strict sense those are meant who will receive Divine truth from the Lord.

[9] In the same:

They are the seed of the blessed of Jehovah, and their offspring with them (Isaiah 65:23).

This, also, is said of the church from the Lord; and "the seed of the blessed of Jehovah" means those who will receive Divine truth from the Lord; and "their offspring," those who live according to it; but in the sense abstracted from persons, which is the genuine spiritual sense, "seed" means Divine truth, and "offspring," a life according to it (as just above). "Offspring" mean those who live according to Divine truth, and in an abstract sense life according to it, because the word in the original rendered "offspring" means going out or proceeding, and that which goes out or proceeds from Divine truth received is a life according to Divine truth.

[10] In the same:

As the new heavens and the new earth which I am about to make shall stand before Me, so shall your seed and your name stand (Isaiah 66:22).

This, too, is said of the Lord, and of the salvation of the faithful by Him; the New Church from Him is meant by "new heavens and a new earth;" by "new heavens" an internal church, and by "a new earth" an external church; that Divine truth and its quality shall endure is signified by "your seed and your name shall stand;" "seed" signifying Divine truth, which also is the truth of doctrine from the Word, and "name" signifying its quality. (That "name" signifies the quality of a thing and of a state, may be seen above, n. 148)

[11] In David:

Thou hast founded the earth, and the heavens are the work of Thy hands; they shall perish, and Thou shalt stand; they shall all wax old like garments, like a vesture shalt Thou change them, and they shall be changed; but Thou art the same, and Thy years shall have no end; the sons of Thy servants shall dwell, and their seed shall be established before Thee (Psalms 102:25-28).

"The earth" which God formed, and "the heavens the work of His hands," which shall perish, have a similar signification as "the former earth and the former heaven" that passed away (in Revelation 21:1; about which, see there); and as the face of the earth and heavens in the spiritual world will be altogether changed at the day of the Last Judgment, and there will be a new earth and new heavens in place of the former, it is said "they shall all wax old like garments, like a vesture shalt Thou change them, and they shall be changed;" they are likened to garments because garments signify external truths, such as those had who were in the former heavens and the former earth, which were not permanent because they were not in internal truths. The state of Divine truth that shall endure from the Lord to eternity is signified by "Thou shalt stand," and "Thou art the same, and Thy years shall have no end;" "the years of God" signifying the states of Divine truth. "The sons of Thy servants shall dwell, and their seed shall be established before Thee," signifies that angels and men, who are recipients of Divine truth, shall have eternal life, and that truths of doctrine shall endure with them to eternity; "the sons of the servants of God" meaning angels and men who are recipients of Divine truth, and "their seed" meaning truths of doctrine.

[12] In the same:

A seed that shall serve Him shall be counted to the Lord for a generation (Psalms 22:30).

This also is said of the Lord; and "the seed that shall serve Him" means those who are in the truths of doctrine from the Word; and "it shall be counted to the Lord for a generation" signifies that they shall be His to eternity; "to be counted" signifying to be arranged and disposed in order, here to be numbered with or added to, thus to be His.

[13] In many passages in the Word mention is made of "the seed of Abraham," "of Isaac," and "of Jacob," likewise of "the seed of Israel," and in the historical sense of the letter their posterity is meant; but in the spiritual sense Divine truth and the truth of doctrine from the Word are meant, for the reason that Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and Israel, mean in that sense the Lord, as can be seen from passages in the Word where they are mentioned; as where it is said:

That they shall come from the east and from the west, and shall recline with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, in the kingdom of the heavens (Matthew 8:11);

which means the enjoyment of celestial good from the Lord. So also elsewhere. And as the Lord is meant by them in the internal sense, "their seed" signifies Divine truth which is from the Lord, and thus also the truth of doctrine from the Word; as in these passages. In Moses:

Jehovah said to Abram, All the land which thou seest, to thee will I give it and to thy seed forever; and I will make thy seed as the dust of the earth (Genesis 13:15, 16).

Look up towards the heavens and number the stars, so shall thy seed be (Genesis 15:5).

In thy seed shall all the nations be blessed (Genesis 22:18).

To Isaac:

To thee and to thy seed will I give all these lands; and I will multiply thy seed as the stars of heaven; and in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed (Genesis 26:3-5).

To Jacob:

Unto thy seed after thee will I give this land (Genesis 35:12).

The land given to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, and to their seed after them (Deuteronomy 1:8).

The seed of your fathers, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob (Deuteronomy 4:37; 10:15; 11:9).

Since, as has been said, the Lord is meant by "Abraham," "Isaac," and "Jacob;" by "Abraham" the Lord in reference to the celestial Divine of the church; by "Isaac" in reference to the spiritual Divine of the church, and by "Jacob" in reference to the natural Divine of the church, so their "seed" signifies Divine truth proceeding from the Lord; "the seed of Abraham" signifying celestial Divine truth; "the seed of Isaac" spiritual Divine truth, and "the seed of Jacob" natural Divine truth; consequently those also are meant who are in Divine truth from the Lord. But the "land which the Lord will give to them" means the church which is in Divine truth from Him; and thence it may be known what is signified by "in their seed shall all nations be blessed;" for they could not be blessed in their posterity, namely, in the Jewish and Israelitish nation, but they were to be blessed in the Lord and from the Lord by the reception of Divine truth from Him.

[14] That "the seed of Abraham" does not mean the Jews is evident from the Lord's words in John:

The Jews answered, We are Abraham's seed, and have never been servants to any man. Jesus answered, I know that ye are Abraham's seed; yet ye seek to kill Me, because My word hath no place in you; ye are of your father the devil (John 8:33, 34, 37, 44).

From this it is evident that the Jews are not meant by "the seed of Abraham," but that "Abraham" means the Lord, and "the seed of Abraham" Divine truth from the Lord, which is the Word; for it is said, "I know that ye are Abraham's seed; yet ye seek to kill Me, because My word hath no place in you." The Lord's saying "I know that ye are Abraham's seed" signifies that He knew that the truth of the church, which is the Word, was with them; but that they nevertheless rejected the Lord is signified by "ye seek to kill Me;" and that they were not in Divine truths from the Lord is signified by "because My word hath no place in you;" that there was with them nothing but evil and falsity therefrom is signified by "ye are of your father the devil, and the truth is not in him;" and afterwards, "when he speaketh a lie he speaketh from his own;" "lie" signifying Divine truth, or the Word, adulterated. The Lord said "I know that ye are Abraham's seed" for the further reason that "Judah" signifies the Lord in reference to the Word (as may be seen above, n. 119, 433).

[15] In David:

He will make them to fall in the wilderness, and will make their seed to fall among the nations and will scatter them in the lands (Psalms 106:26, 27).

"To make their seed to fall among the nations and to scatter them in the lands" signifies that Divine truth would perish with them by evils and falsities. "The seed of Israel" has a similar signification in these passages:

Thou Israel My servant, Jacob whom I have chosen, the seed of Abraham My friend, whom I have taken hold of from the ends of the earth (Isaiah 41:8, 9).

I will pour out My spirit upon the seed of Israel and Jacob, and My blessing upon their offspring (Isaiah 44:3).

In Jehovah all the seed of Israel shall be justified, and shall glory (Isaiah 45:25).

Jehovah who brought up and who brought back the seed of the house of Israel out of the land ² towards the north, and out of all the lands whither I have driven them, that they may dwell upon their own land (Jeremiah 23:8).

In the highest sense "Israel" means the Lord in relation to the internal of the church, therefore "his seed" similarly signifies the Divine truth that is with those who are of the church that is signified by "Israel." "Israel" means the church with those who are interiorly natural, and have truths therein from a spiritual origin. For this reason "Israel" signifies the church that is spiritual-natural.

[16] Since "David" in the Word means the Lord in reference to royalty, and the Lord's royalty means Divine truth in the church, so his "seed" means those who are in the truths of the church from the Word, who are called "the sons of the king" and "the sons of the kingdom;" it means also that Divine truth is with them, as in the following passages:

As the host of the heavens shall not be numbered, nor the sand of the sea measured, so will I multiply the seed of David and the Levites My ministers (Jeremiah 33:22).

I have made a covenant with My chosen, I have sworn to David My servant, Even to eternity will I establish thy seed, and will build up thy throne to generation and generation. I will set his seed forever, and his throne as the days of the heavens. His seed shall be to eternity, and his throne as the sun before Me (Psalms 89:3, 4, 29, 36).

That "David" means in the Word the Lord in reference to royalty, which is Divine truth in the Lord's spiritual kingdom, may be seen above (n. 205); therefore "his seed" signifies that Divine truth with those who are in truths from good, thus also who are in the truths of doctrine from the Word; for truths of doctrine from the Word, or the truths of the Word, are all from good; and as these are meant by "the seed of David," so in an abstract sense the truth of the Word or the truth of the doctrine from the Word is meant by it. That "the seed of David" does not mean his posterity anyone can see, for it is said that "his seed shall be multiplied as the host of the heavens and the sand of the sea," and that "it shall be established and set to eternity," also that "his throne shall be built up to generation and generation," and "shall be as the days of the heavens," and "as the sun," which cannot at all be said of the seed of David, that is, of his posterity and of his throne, for where now are his seed and throne to be found? But all these things harmonize when "David" is taken to mean the Lord, "his throne" heaven and the church, and "his seed" the truth of heaven and of the church.

[17] In Jeremiah:

If I shall not have set My covenant of day and night, the statutes of heaven and of earth, I will also reject the seed of Jacob and of David My servant, that I will not take of his seed to be rulers over the seed of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob; and I will cause their captivity to return, and will have compassion on them (Jeremiah 33:25, 26).

In the same:

Jehovah said, who giveth the sun for a light by day, the statutes of the moon and stars for a light by night. If these statutes shall remove from before Me, the seed of Israel also shall cease from being a nation before Me all the days (Jeremiah 31:35, 36).

In these passages, again, "the seed of Jacob" and of "David," likewise "the seed of Israel," mean those who are in Divine truths; but "the seed of Jacob" means those who are in natural Divine truth, "David" those who are in spiritual Divine truth, and "Israel" those who are in natural-spiritual Divine truth, which is mediate between natural Divine truth and spiritual Divine truth. For there are degrees of Divine truth, as there are degrees of its reception in the three heavens by the angels and in the church. "The covenant of day and night, and the statutes of heaven and earth," signifying the conjunction of the Lord with those who are in Divine truths in the heavens, and with those who are in Divine truths on the earth, "covenant" signifying conjunction, and "statutes" the laws of conjunction, which are also the laws of order, and the laws of order are Divine truths; while "day" signifies such light of truth as the angels in the heavens have; and "night" such light of truth as men on the earth have, likewise such light of truth as those have who are in the heavens and on the earth under the Lord as a moon; therefore it is added, "who giveth the sun for a light by day, and the statutes of the moon and stars for a light by night." But here "the seed of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob," mean all who are of the Lord's church, in every degree; of these and of the seed of Jacob and David it is said that if they acknowledge not the Lord, and receive not Divine truth from Him, the Lord will not reign over them.

[18] In the same:

No one of his seed shall prosper who sitteth upon the throne of David and ruleth anymore in Judah (Jeremiah 22:30).

This is said of Coniah, king of Judah, who is here called "a despised and worthless idol," and it is said of him:

That he and his seed shall be taken away and cast unto the earth (verse 28).

This king has a similar signification as Satan, and "his seed" signifies infernal falsity; that this shall not rule in the Lord's church, in which is celestial Divine truth, is signified by "no one of his seed shall sit upon the throne of David or shall rule anymore in Judah;" "Judah" here meaning the celestial church in which the Lord reigns.

[19] As "David" represented the Lord's royalty, so "Aaron" represented his priesthood; therefore "the seed of Aaron" means those who are in the affection of genuine truth which is from celestial good. Because of this representation this statute was given for Aaron:

The high priest shall not take a widow, or one divorced, or one polluted, a harlot, but he shall take a virgin of his own people to wife, lest he profane his seed among his people; I Jehovah do sanctify him (Leviticus 21:14, 15).

As "man and wife" in the Word in its spiritual sense signify the understanding of truth and the will of good, and as thought is of the understanding and affection is of the will, so "man and wife" also signify the thought of truth and the affection of good, likewise truth and good. Thence it is clear what is signified by a "widow," by "one divorced," and by "one polluted" and "a harlot;" "a widow" signifies good without truth, because left by truth, which is the man; "one divorced" signifies good rejected by truth, thus discordant good; and "one polluted, a harlot," signifies good adulterated by falsities, which is no longer good but evil. Because of this signification of these women the high priest was forbidden to take any of them to wife, because he represented the Lord in reference to the priesthood, which signified the Divine good. And as a "virgin" signifies the will or affection of genuine truth, and genuine truth makes one with and is in harmony with Divine good, and these two are conjoined in heaven and in the church, and their conjunction is called the heavenly marriage, therefore it was required that the high priest should take a virgin to wife. And as the truth of doctrine is born of this marriage, while the falsity of doctrine is born of a marriage with such as are signified by "a widow," "one divorced," and "one polluted, a harlot," it is said, "lest he profane his seed among his peoples," "seed" signifying the genuine truth of doctrine, and thus also the doctrine of genuine truth from the good of celestial love, and "his peoples" signifying those who are of the church in which there is the doctrine of genuine truth from the Word. Also as this was a representative of the heavenly marriage, which is the marriage of the Lord with the church, therefore it is said, "I Jehovah do sanctify him."

[20] Since the high priest represented the Lord in reference to Divine good, and his "seed" signified Divine truth, which is the same as the genuine truth of doctrine, it was also made a statute:

That no man a stranger, who was not of the seed of Aaron, shall come near to burn incense before Jehovah (Numbers 16:40).

"A man a stranger" signifies the falsity of doctrine, and "burning incense" signifies worship from spiritual good, which in its essence is genuine truth; and "the seed of the high priest" signifies Divine truth from a celestial origin; therefore it was decreed by law that no stranger who was not of the seed of Aaron should burn incense in the Tent of meeting before Jehovah.

[21] When it is known what of heaven and the church was represented also by other persons mentioned in the Word, what is signified by "their seed" will also be known, as by the seed of Noah, Ephraim, and Caleb, in the following passages. Of Noah:

I establish My covenant with you and with your seed after you (Genesis 9:9).

Israel said of Ephraim:

His seed shall be the fullness of the earth ³ (Genesis 48:19).

And Jehovah said of Caleb:

His seed shall inherit the earth (Numbers 14:24).

What "Noah" and "Ephraim" represented and signified has been explained in the Arcana Coelestia. But "Caleb" represented those who are to be introduced into the church; therefore their "seed" signifies the truth of the doctrine of the church.

[22] The "seed of the field" has a similar signification as the "seed of man," because a "field," the same as "man," signifies the church; for this reason the terms "seed" and also "sowing" are in some passages applied to the people of the earth the same as they are applied to a field, as in the following. In Jeremiah:

I had planted thee a noble vine, a seed of truth; how art thou turned into branches of a strange vine unto Me! (Jeremiah 2:21).

In David:

Their fruit will I ⁴ destroy from the earth, and their seed from the sons of man (Psalms 21:10).

In Hosea:

I will sow Israel unto Me in the earth (Hosea 2:23).

In Zechariah:

I will sow Judah and Joseph among the peoples, and they shall remember Me in remote places (Zechariah 10:9).

In Ezekiel:

I will look again to you, that ye may be tilled and sown; then will I multiply man upon you, all the house of Israel, the whole of it (Ezekiel 36:9).

In Jeremiah:

Behold the days shall come in which I will sow the house of Israel and the house of Judah with the seed of man and with the seed of beast (Jeremiah 31:27).

In Matthew:

The seed sown are the sons of the kingdom (Matthew 13:38).

But it is not necessary to show here that the seed of the field has a similar meaning as the seed of man, for here only what is signified by "the seed of the woman" is what is to be explained and confirmed from the Word.

[23] Since "seed" signifies the truth of doctrine from the Word, and in the highest sense Divine truth, so in the contrary sense "seed" signifies the falsity of doctrine and infernal falsity. As in Isaiah:

Draw near hither, ye sons of the sorceress, ye seed of the adulterer, and thou that hast ⁵ committed whoredom. Against whom do ye sport yourselves, against whom do ye make wide the mouth and lengthen the tongue? Are ye not children of transgression, the seed of a lie? (Isaiah 57:3, 4)

"The sons of the sorceress and the seed of an adulterer" signify falsities from the Word when it has been falsified and adulterated, "the sons of the sorceress" meaning the falsities from the Word falsified, and "the seed of an adulterer," falsities from the Word adulterated. The Word is said to be falsified when its truths are perverted, and to be adulterated when its goods are perverted, as also when truths are applied to the loves of self. "Children of transgression and seed of a lie" signify falsities flowing from such prior falsities. "To sport themselves" signifies to take delight in things falsified; "to make wide the mouth" signifies delight in the thought therefrom; and "to lengthen the tongue" delight in teaching and propagating such falsities.

[24] In Isaiah:

Woe to the sinful nation, a people heavy with iniquity, a seed of evil-doers, sons that are corrupters; they have forsaken Jehovah, they have provoked the Holy One of Israel, they have estranged themselves backwards (Isaiah 1:4).

"The sinful nation" signifies those who are in evils, and "a people heavy with iniquity" those who are in the falsities therefrom, for "nation" is predicated in the Word of evils, and "people" of falsities (See above, 331, 625). The falsity of those who are in evils is signified by "a seed of evildoers," and the falsities of those who are in the falsities from that evil are signified by "sons that are corrupters." (That "sons" signify those who are in truths, and in the contrary sense those who are in falsities, and in an abstract sense truths and falsities, may be seen above, n. 724 "They have forsaken Jehovah and have provoked the Holy One of Israel" signifies that they have rejected Divine good and Divine truth; "Jehovah" meaning the Lord in relation to Divine good, and "the Holy One of Israel," the Lord in relation to Divine truth; "their estranging themselves backwards" signifies that they wholly departed from good and truth, and went away to infernal evil and falsity, for those in the spiritual world who are in evils and falsities turn themselves backward from the Lord (See in the work on Heaven and Hell, n. 123). In the same:

Thou shalt not be joined with them in the sepulcher, for thou hast corrupted thy land, thou hast slain thy people; the seed of the evil shall not be named forever (Isaiah 14:20).

This is said of Lucifer, by whom Babylon is meant; and "the seed of the evil which shall not be named forever" signifies the direful falsity of evil which is from hell. (The rest may be seen explained above, n. 589, 659, 697)

[25] In Moses:

He that hath given of his seed to Molech dying shall die, the people of the land shall stone him with stones. I will set My faces against that man, and I will cut him off from the midst of his people, because he hath given of his seed to Molech, to defile My sanctuary and to profane the name of My holiness (Leviticus 20:3; Leviticus 18:21).

"To give of his seed to Molech" signifies to destroy the truth of the Word and of the doctrine of the church therefrom, by application to the filthy loves of the body, as murders, hatreds, revenges, adulteries, and the like, which leads to the acceptance of infernal falsities instead of things Divine; such falsities are signified by "the seed given to Molech." Molech was the god of the sons of Ammon (1 Kings 11:7); and was set up in the valley of Hinnom, which was called Topheth, where they burned up their sons and daughters (2 Kings 23:10); the above mentioned loves are signified by that fire; and as "seed given to Molech" signifies such infernal falsity, and stoning was the punishment of death for the injury and destruction of the truth of the Word and of doctrine therefrom, it is said that the man that "hath given of his seed to Molech dying shall die, and the people of the land shall stone him with stones." (That stoning was the punishment for injuring or destroying truth may be seen above, n. 655.) That such falsity is destructive of every good of the Word and of the church is signified by "I will set My faces against that man, and I will cut him off from the midst of his people, because he hath defiled My sanctuary and profaned the name of My holiness," "sanctuary" signifying the truth of heaven and the church, and "the name of holiness" all that it is. From the passages quoted it can now be seen that "seed" means in the highest sense Divine truth which is from the Lord, and thence the truth of the Word and of the doctrine of the church which is from the Word; while in the evil sense it means infernal falsity which is the opposite of that truth.

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