The Bible

 

Jezekilj 16

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1 Opet mi dođe reč Gospodnja govoreći:

2 Sine čovečji, pokaži Jerusalimu gadove njegove,

3 I reci: Ovako veli Gospod Gospod Jerusalimu: Postanjem i rodom ti si iz zemlje hananske; otac ti beše Amorejac a mati Hetejka.

4 A o rođenju tvom, kad si se rodila, nije ti pupak odrezan i nisi okupana vodom da bi bila čista, niti si solju natrvena ni pelenama povita.

5 Oko te ne požali da ti učini šta od toga i da ti se smiluje: Nego ti bi bačena u polje, jer beše mrska duša tvoja onog dana kad si se rodila.

6 I idući mimo tebe i videvši te gde se valjaš u svojoj krvi, rekoh ti: Da si živa u svojoj krvi! I opet ti rekoh: Da si živa u svojoj krvi!

7 I učinih da rasteš na hiljade kao trava u polju; i ti naraste i posta velika i dođe do najveće lepote; dojke ti napupiše, i dlake te probiše; ali ti beše gola naga.

8 I idući mimo tebe pogledah te, i gle, godine ti behu godine za ljubljenje; i raširih skut svoj na te, i pokrih golotinju tvoju, i zakleh ti se i učinih veru s tobom, govori Gospod Gospod, i ti posta moja.

9 I okupah te vodom, i sprah s tebe krv tvoju, i pomazah te uljem.

10 I obukoh ti vezenu haljinu, i obuh ti crevlje od jazavca, i opasah te tankim platnom i zastreh te svilom.

11 I nakitih te nakitom, i metnuh ti narukvice na ruke i grivnu oko vrata.

12 I grivnu oko čela metnuh ti, i oboce u uši, slavan venac na glavu.

13 I ti beše okićena zlatom i srebrom, i odelo ti beše od tankog platna i od svile i vezeno, jeđaše belo brašno i med i ulje, i beše vrlo lepa, i prispe do carstva.

14 I raziđe se glas o tebi po narodima radi lepote tvoje, jer beše savršena krasotom mojom, koju metnuh na te, govori Gospod Gospod.

15 Ali se ti osloni na lepotu svoju, i prokurva se s glasa svog, te si prosipala kurvarstvo svoje svakome koji prolažaše, i bivala si njegova.

16 I uzevši od haljina svojih načinila si šarene visine, i kurvala si se na njima, kako nikada nije bilo niti će biti.

17 I uzevši krasni nakit svoj od mog zlata i od mog srebra što ti dadoh, načinila si sebi muške likove, i kurvala si se s njima.

18 I uzevši vezene haljine svoje zaodela si ih, i ulje moje i kad moj stavila si pred njih.

19 I hleb moj, koji ti dadoh, belo brašno i ulje i med, čim te hranjah, postavila si pred njih za miris ugodni. Tako je bilo, govori Gospod Gospod.

20 I uzimala si sinove svoje i kćeri svoje koje si rodila, i njih si im prinosila da se spale. Malo li beše kurvarstva tvog,

21 Te si i sinove moje klala i davala si ih da im se provedu kroz oganj?

22 I uza sve gadove svoje i kurvarstva svoja nisi se opominjala dana mladosti svoje kad si bila gola i naga i valjala se u krvi svojoj.

23 I posle sve zloće svoje, (Teško, teško tebi! Govori Gospod Gospod,)

24 Sagradila si sebi kuću kurvarsku, i načinila si sebi visine na svakoj ulici,

25 Na svakoj rasputici načinila si sebi visinu, i nagrdila si svoju lepotu, i razmetala si noge svoje svakome koji prolažaše, i umnožila si kurvarstvo svoje.

26 Kurvala si se sa sinovima misirskim, susedima svojim velikog tela, i umnožila si kurvarstvo svoje da bi me razgnevila.

27 Zato gle, digoh ruku svoju na te i umalih obrok tvoj, i dadoh te na volju nenavidnicima tvojim, kćerima filistejskim, koje beše stid od sramotnog puta tvog.

28 Kurvala si se sa sinovima asirskim, jer se ne mogaše nasititi; kurvala si se s njima, i opet se nisi nasitila.

29 I umnožila si kurvarstvo svoje u zemlji hananskoj sve do haldejske, i ni tako se nisi nasitila.

30 Kako je iznemoglo srce tvoje, govori Gospod Gospod, kad činiš sve što čini najgora kurva,

31 Kad si gradila kurvarsku kuću na svakoj rasputici i činila visinu na svakoj ulici! A ni kao kurva nisi, jer nisi marila za platu;

32 Nego kao žena preljubočinica, koja mesto muža svog prima druge.

33 Svim kurvama daje se plata, a ti si davala platu svim milosnicama svojim i darivala si ih da dolaze k tebi sa svih strana da se kurvaju s tobom.

34 I tako je u tebe naopako prema ženama u tvom kurvarstvu: Jer niko ne ide za tobom da se kurva, i ti daješ platu, a ne daje se tebi plata; to je naopako.

35 Zato, kurvo, čuj reč Gospodnju.

36 Ovako veli Gospod Gospod: Što se otrov tvoj prosu, i što se u kurvanju tvom otkrivala golotinja tvoja tvojim milosnicima i svim gadnim idolima tvojim, i za krv sinova tvojih, koje si im dala,

37 Zato, evo, ja ću skupiti sve milosnike tvoje, s kojima si se milovala, i sve koje si ljubila, i sve na koje si mrzela, skupiću ih sve oko tebe, i otkriću im golotinju tvoju da vide svu golotinju tvoju.

38 I sudiću ti kako se sudi onima koje čine preljubu i onima koje krv prolivaju, i daću te na smrt gnevu i revnosti.

39 I predaću te u njihove ruke, te će razoriti tvoju kuću kurvarsku i raskopati visine tvoje, i svući će haljine s tebe, i uzeće ti krasni nakit i ostaviće te golu nagu.

40 I dovešće na te ljudstvo, te će te zasuti kamenjem, i izbošće te mačevima svojim.

41 I popaliće kuće tvoje ognjem, i izvršiće na tebi sud pred mnogim ženama, i učiniću te ćeš se okaniti kurvanja i nećeš više davati plate.

42 I namiriću gnev svoj nad tobom, i revnost će se moja ukloniti od tebe, i umiriću se, i neću se više gneviti.

43 Zato što se nisi opominjala dana mladosti svoje, nego si me dražila svim tim, zato, evo, i ja ću obratiti put tvoj na tvoju glavu, govori Gospod Gospod, te nećeš činiti grdila niti kakvih gadova svojih.

44 Gle, ko god govori priče, govoriće o tebi priču, i reći će: Kakva mati, takva joj kći.

45 Ti si kći matere svoje, koja se odmetnula od muža svog i dece svoje, i sestra si sestara svojih, koje se odmetnuše od muževa svojih i dece svoje, mati vam je Hetejka a otac Amorejac.

46 A starija ti je sestra Samarija s kćerima svojim, koja ti sedi s leve strane, a mlađa ti je sestra koja ti sedi s desne strane Sodom sa kćerima svojim.

47 A ti ni njihovim putem nisi hodila, niti si činila po njihovim gadovima, kao da ti to beše malo, nego si bila gora od njih na svim putevima svojim.

48 Tako ja živ bio, govori Gospod Gospod, sestra tvoja Sodom i kćeri njene nisu činile kako si činila ti i tvoje kćeri.

49 Evo, ovo beše bezakonje sestre tvoje Sodoma: U ponosu, u izobilju hleba i bezbrižnom miru beše ona i kćeri njene, a ne pomagahu siromahu i ubogom;

50 Nego se ponašahu i činjahu gadove preda mnom, za to ih zatrh kad videh.

51 Samarija nije zgrešila pola koliko ti, jer si počinila gadova svojih više nego one, te si opravdala sestre svoje svim gadovima svojim koje si učinila.

52 I ti dakle, koja si sudila sestrama svojim, nosi sramotu svoju za grehe svoje, kojima si postala grđa od njih; one su pravednije od tebe; i ti se dakle stidi i nosi sramotu, kad si opravdala sestre svoje.

53 Ako dovedeš natrag njihovo roblje, roblje sodomsko i kćeri njene, i roblje samarijsko i kćeri njene, dovešću i tvoje roblje iz ropstva među njima.

54 Da nosiš sramotu svoju i da se stidiš za sve što si činila, i da im budeš uteha.

55 Ako se sestre tvoje, Sodom i kćeri njene povrate kao što su bile, i ako se Samarija i kćeri njene povrate kao što su bile, povratićeš se i ti i kćeri tvoje kao što ste bile.

56 Jer usta tvoja ne pominjaše Sodom, sestru tvoju, u vreme oholosti tvoje,

57 Pre nego se otkri zloća tvoja kao u vreme sramote od kćeri sirskih i od svih što su oko njih, kćeri filistejskih, koje te sramoćahu sa svih strana.

58 Nosi nevaljalstvo svoje i gadove svoje, govori Gospod.

59 Jer ovako veli Gospod Gospod: Učiniću ti kako si ti učinila prezrevši zakletvu i prestupivši zavet.

60 Ali ću se ja opomenuti zaveta svog koji sam učinio s tobom u vreme mladosti tvoje, i utvrdiću ti večan zavet.

61 Tada ćeš se opomenuti puteva svojih i postidećeš se kad primiš sestre svoje starije od sebe i mlađe, koje ću ti dati za kćeri, ali ne po tvom zavetu.

62 I ja ću utvrditi zavet svoj s tobom, i poznaćeš da sam ja Gospod,

63 Da se opomeneš i postidiš i da ne otvoriš više usta od sramote, kad ti oprostim sve što si učinila, govori Gospod Gospod

   

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Apocalypse Revealed #503

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503. We will now say what Egypt symbolizes in the Word: Egypt symbolizes the natural self joined to the spiritual self, and its affection for truth then and consequent knowledge and intelligence. And in an opposite sense it symbolizes the natural self divorced from the spiritual self, and its conceit in its own intelligence then and consequent irrationality in spiritual matters.

Egypt symbolizes the natural self joined to the spiritual self, and its affection for truth then and consequent knowledge and intelligence, in the following passages:

In that day there will be five cities in the land of Egypt... swearing an oath to Jehovah of Hosts... In that day there will be an altar to Jehovah in the midst of the land of Egypt... Then Jehovah will be known to Egypt, and the Egyptians will know the Lord in that day... (Isaiah 19:18-21)

In that day there will be a highway from Egypt to Assyria, so that the Assyrian will come into Egypt and the Egyptian into Assyria, and the Egyptians will serve with the Assyrians. In that day Israel will be one of three with Egypt and Assyria - a blessing in the midst of the land, whom Jehovah of Hosts shall bless, saying, "Blessed is My people Egypt, and Assyria the work of My hands, and Israel My inheritance." (Isaiah 19:23-25)

Egypt there is the natural component, Assyria the rational one, and Israel the spiritual one. These three form a person of the church.

That is why the king of Egypt is called "the son of the wise, the son of ancient kings," and Egypt is called "the cornerstone of (the) tribes." (Isaiah 19:11, 13) And regarding Solomon we are told that his wisdom excelled the wisdom of the Egyptians (1 Kings 4:30). We are also told that he "took Pharaoh's daughter as a wife, and brought her into the city of David" (1 Kings 3:1), and that he "built a house for Pharaoh's daughter next to the porch" (1 Kings 7:8).

[2] For this reason Joseph was carried down into Egypt and there became the ruler of the whole land (Genesis 41).

Since Egypt symbolized the natural self in respect to its affection for truth and consequent knowledge and intelligence, therefore Joseph, the husband of Mary, having been warned by an angel, went with the infant Lord into Egypt (Matthew 2:14-15), in fulfillment of the prophecy,

When Israel was a child, then I loved him, and out of Egypt I called My son. (Hosea 11:1)

You caused a vine to come out of Egypt; You... planted it... and caused it to send forth its roots... (Psalms 80:8-9)

For a person is born natural, becomes rational, and later spiritual. Thus is a vine from Egypt planted and caused to take root.

For the sake of this representation, moreover, Abraham sojourned in Egypt (Genesis 12:10ff.). And Jacob was commanded to go with his sons into Egypt, and they also abode there (Genesis 46ff.).

So, too, the land of Canaan, which symbolizes the church, is described to extend "even to the river of Egypt" (Genesis 15:18, 1 Kings 4:21, Micah 7:12). And Egypt is compared to the Garden of Eden, the garden of God (Ezekiel 31:2, 8, Genesis 13:10).

The knowledge of the natural self is also called "the precious things of Egypt" (Daniel 11:43), and "fine embroidered linen from Egypt" (Ezekiel 27:7).

And so on elsewhere where Egypt is spoken of affirmatively, as in Isaiah 27:12-13.

[3] On the other hand, in an opposite sense Egypt symbolizes the natural self divorced from the spiritual self, and its conceit in its own intelligence then and consequent irrationality in spiritual matters, in the following places:

Because...(Pharaoh's) heart was lifted up in its height, and it set its top among the thick boughs..., aliens... will cut him off and cast him down... In the day when he went down to hell..., I covered the deep over him...(and) you shall lie in the midst of the uncircumcised... (Ezekiel 31:10-18)

...the foundations (of Egypt) shall be overthrown... ...the pride of her power shall come down... ...and shall be laid waste... her cities... in the midst of the desolate cities... I will set fire to Egypt..., and I will disperse Egypt among the nations, and scatter them throughout the lands. (Ezekiel 30:1ff.)

Woe to those who go down to Egypt for help..., and do not look to the Holy One of Israel... For the Egyptians are men, and not God, and their horses are flesh, and not spirit. (Isaiah 31:1, 3)

Egypt rises up like a flood... He says, "I will go up, I will cover the earth, (and) I will destroy... Come up, O horses, and rage, O chariots! ...The sword shall devour (you), and be... made drunk with blood...; there is no healing for you. (Jeremiah 46:2, 8-11)

How do you say to Pharaoh, "I am the son of the wise, and the son of ancient kings?" Where are your wise men now? ...let them know... The princes of Zoan have become fools...; they have led Egypt astray..., the cornerstone of (the) tribes... Neither will there be any work for Egypt, which may form the head or the tail... (Isaiah 19:1-17)

...prophesy against... Egypt..., O great whale who lie in the midst of your rivers. Because he said, "My river, and I have made myself," (therefore) I will put hooks in your jaws, and cause the fish of your rivers to stick to your scales... And I will leave you in the wilderness... Therefore... the land of Egypt shall become desolate and waste. (Ezekiel 29:1-12)

And so on elsewhere, as in Isaiah 30:1, 2, 7; 2 Kings 18:21.

[4] Since the Egyptians became of such a character, therefore they were rendered desolate as regards all the goods and truths of the church. Their desolations are described by the miracles done there, which were plagues, and these symbolized the many lusts of the natural self divorced from the spiritual self, a natural self which acts only in accordance with its own intelligence and its conceit. The plagues symbolic of its lusts were these:

That the water in the river turned to blood so that the fish died and the river stank. (Exodus 7)

That the streams and ponds brought forth frogs upon the land of Egypt. That the dust of the ground turned into lice. That a swarm of noxious flying insects was sent. (Exodus 8)

[That a pestilence occurred so that the livestock of Egypt died.] That sores were caused to break out with pustules on man and beast. That a downpour of hail mixed with fire rained down. (Exodus 9)

That locusts were sent. That darkness occurred through all the land of Egypt. (Exodus 10).

That all the firstborn in the land of Egypt died. (Exodus 11,12)

And finally, that the Egyptians were drowned in the Red Sea (Exodus 14), which symbolizes hell.

To find what all these things symbolize specifically, see Arcana Coelestia (The Secrets of Heaven), published in London, where they are explained.

It is apparent from this what is symbolically meant by the plagues and diseases of Egypt in Deuteronomy 7:15; 28:60; what is symbolically meant by drowning in the river of Egypt in Amos 8:8; 9:5; and why it is that Egypt is called a land of bondage in Micah 6:4, the land of Ham in Psalms 106:22, and an iron furnace in Deuteronomy 4:20, 1 Kings 8:51.

[5] The reason Egypt symbolizes both intelligence and irrationality in spiritual matters was that the Ancient Church, which extended through many kingdoms in Asia, existed also in Egypt, and at that time the Egyptians, more than any others, cultivated a study of the correspondences between spiritual and natural things, as is apparent from the hieroglyphs there. But when that study among them was turned into magic and became idolatrous, then their intelligence in spiritual matters became irrational. Egypt symbolizes this, therefore, in an opposite sense.

It can be seen from this what the great city means, which spiritually is called Sodom and Egypt.

  
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Many thanks to the General Church of the New Jerusalem, and to Rev. N.B. Rogers, translator, for the permission to use this translation.