1203. The fact that Heth symbolizes a superficial knowledge of heavenly attributes follows logically. The prophets customarily link spiritual and heavenly ideas; where they speak of spiritual properties, they also speak of heavenly ones. The one set comes from the other, so a certain perfection is missing unless they are joined. A further purpose is to bring an image of the heavenly marriage into each and every part of the Word. 1 These considerations (not to mention other illustrative passages in the Word) show that Sidon symbolizes a shallow knowledge of spiritual qualities while Heth symbolizes a shallow knowledge of heavenly ones. They symbolize this knowledge in both senses — both with and without deeper knowledge. In addition they stand simply for superficial knowledge.
Spiritual entities, as noted many times before, are aspects of faith, and heavenly entities are aspects of love. Again, spiritual traits belong to the intellect, heavenly ones to the will. 2
[2] The symbolism of Heth as shallow knowledge devoid of deeper knowledge can be seen in Ezekiel:
This is what the Lord Jehovih has said to Jerusalem: "Your trading and your birth origins belong to the land of Canaan. Your father is an Amorite and your mother a Hittite. 3 You are the daughter of your mother, who showed disgust for her man and her children; and the sister of your sisters, who showed disgust for their husbands and their children. Your mother is a Hittite and your father an Amorite." (Ezekiel 16:3, 45)
In this passage, outward worship without inward is Canaan. Showing disgust for their husbands and children is spurning things that are good and true, which is why their mother is called a Hittite.
Heth in the Word is also taken to stand for a relatively superficial knowledge of heavenly attributes in a good sense. Almost all the names of lands, cities, nations, and individuals do have a good sense, for the reason given earlier [§1151:1]. This symbolism of Heth will be dealt with later [§§2913, 2933, 2986:1, 6461], by the Lord's divine mercy.
Spiritual concepts are those that relate to faith and so to doctrine, but heavenly concepts relate to love and so to life.
Footnotes:
1. For a definition of the heavenly marriage and a list of references, see §1023:1. [LHC]
2. For discussion of spiritual entities as aspects of faith, and heavenly entities as aspects of love, see, for instance, §§52-53, 61, 81:1, 83, 99, 100, 200, 202-203, 418-419, 683, 880:2-3, 1001:4, 1096:3. On spiritual traits belonging to the intellect and heavenly ones to the will, see, for instance, §§142, 793, 996:2. [LHC, Editors]
3. This passage is included in the discussion of the meaning of Heth because Swedenborg treats the Hittites as descendants of Heth. [LHC]
