8802. When the jobel ¹ is drawn out. That this signifies with those who have a general perception of celestial good, is evident from the signification of “when the jobel is drawn out,” or what is the same, when the sound of the trumpet is heard, as being a general perception of celestial good; for by “being heard” is signified perception (n. 5017, 8361), and by “the jobel,” or “sound of the trumpet,” is signified celestial good. The reason why celestial good is signified by “the sound of the trumpet,” or “the jobel,” is that from their sounds musical instruments correspond to affections of truth and good; stringed instruments to affections of truth, and wind instruments to affections of good (n. 418-420, 4138, 8337). The trumpet, being a wind instrument, and high-sounding, corresponded to the affection of celestial good; wherefore also the “jubilee,” by which was represented the marriage of good and truth which is in the inmost heaven, was named therefrom. Therefore now it is, that by “when the jobel is drawn out,” is signified those who have a general perception of celestial good. By those who are in a general perception of celestial good are meant those who are intermediate between the Lord’s celestial kingdom and His spiritual kingdom, through whom therefore are effected influx, communication, and conjunction (see just above, n. 8787, 8796). These have extension even into the celestial societies, which is signified by “they shall come up into the mountain.” These intermediate ones are represented by Moses (n. 8787), and also by Aaron, to whom it was granted to go up into the mountain (see verse 24). (What is this extension into the spheres of angelic societies, and that everyone’s extension is such as his good is, see n. 8794.) General perception exists with those who are in spiritual good and can receive a general influx of the good of a higher heaven, in this case, of the inmost heaven. Such are meant by “those who shall come up into the mountain when the jobel is heard.”

Footnotes:

4138. With timbrel, and with harp. That this signifies in respect to spiritual good (namely, the state in which from its own that good had believed itself to be in respect to spiritual good), is evident from the fact that “timbrel” and “harp” are predicated of good, but of spiritual good (as may be seen from many passages in the Word). Spiritual good is what is called the good of faith, and is charity; but celestial good is what is called the good of love, and is love to the Lord. There are two kingdoms of the Lord in the heavens; one of which is called His celestial kingdom, and in this kingdom are those who are in love to the Lord; and the other is called His spiritual kingdom, and in this are those who are in charity toward the neighbor. These kingdoms are most distinct from each other, but still in the heavens they act as and make a one. Concerning these distinct Celestial and Spiritual Kingdoms see what has already been frequently stated.

[2] In the churches of ancient times there were employed many kinds of musical instruments, such as timbrels, psalteries, pipes, harps, decachords, and various others. Some of these belonged to the class of celestial, and some to the class of spiritual things; and when they are mentioned in the Word, such things are implied, insomuch that it may be known from them what kind of good is treated of, whether spiritual good or celestial good. The timbrel and the harp belonged to the class of spiritual things, and therefore it is here said “in respect to spiritual good.” (That the “harp” is predicated of spiritual things, and that by stringed instruments are signified spiritual things, but by wind instruments celestial things, may be seen above, n. 418-420)