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633. Forty-two months, signifies even to the end of the old church and the beginning of the new. This is evident from the signification of "months," as being states, here the states of the church; for "times," whether hours or days or months or years or ages, signify states, and such states are designated by the numbers by which such times are determined, as here by the number "forty-two" (that this is so, see above, n. 571, 610). This is evident also from the signification of "forty-two" as being the end of the former church and the beginning of the new; this is the signification of that number, because it means six weeks, and "six weeks" has a similar signification as the "six days" of one week, namely, a state of combat and labor, and thus the end when the church is altogether vastated, or when evil is consummated; and "the seventh week" which then follows signifies the beginning of a new church; for the number "forty-two" arises from the multiplication of six into seven, six times seven making forty-two, therefore "forty-two" has a similar signification as "six weeks," and "six weeks" something similar to the "six days" of one week, namely, a state of combat and labor, as was said, and also a full state, here the full consummation of good and truth, that is, the full vastation of the church.
[2] In the Word mention is sometimes made of "forty," sometimes days, sometimes months, sometimes years, and that number signifies either the full vastation of the church, or a complete temptation. That this state is signified by the numbers "forty" and "forty-two," can be seen from the following passages. In Ezekiel:
Egypt shall not be inhabited forty years; I will make Egypt a solitude in the midst of the lands that are desolate, and her cities in the midst of the cities that are laid waste, they shall be a solitude forty years; and I will scatter Egypt among the nations, and will disperse them into the lands. At the end of forty years I will bring together Egypt from the peoples, whither they were scattered, and will bring back the captivity of Egypt (Ezekiel 29:11-14).
"Egypt" signifies the church in respect to true knowledges [scientifica], upon which doctrine is based. True knowledges at that time were the knowledges of correspondences and representations, upon which the doctrine of their church was based. But because the Egyptians turned these knowledges into magic, and thus perverted the church, its vastation is described, which is meant by "forty years;" this, therefore, is the signification of "Egypt shall not be inhabited forty years, and her cities shall be a solitude forty years." That "Egypt must be scattered among the nations and dispersed into the lands" signifies that evils and falsities will altogether occupy that church and pervert all its knowledges [scientifica]. This makes clear that "forty years" signifies a state of full vastation of the church, or even to its end, when there will be no more good or truth remaining. But the beginning of a new church, which is signified by "the end of forty years," is meant by these words, "at the end of forty years I will bring together Egypt from the peoples whither they were scattered, and will bring back the captivity of Egypt."
[3] In the same prophecy:
That the prophet should lie on his right side forty days, and lay siege to Jerusalem, which shall want bread and water, and be desolated, a man and his brother, and pine away for its iniquity (Ezekiel 4:6, 7, 17);
has a similar signification. The full vastation of the church is also here signified by that number; "Jerusalem" signifies the church; "to lay siege to it" signifies to distress the church by evils and falsities; "to want bread and water" signifies to be vastated in respect to the good of love and the truth of doctrine; "to be desolated, a man and his brother, and to pine away for iniquity," has a similar signification, for "man and his brother" mean truth and charity, and "to pine away" means to die out.
[4] The "forty days" of the flood have a similar signification in Genesis:
For yet seven days I will cause it to rain upon the earth forty days and forty nights, and I will destroy all substance that I have made from upon the faces of the earth. And the rain was upon the earth forty days and forty nights, then after seven days he sent forth a dove, which did not return unto him (Genesis 7:4, 12; 8:6, 12).
The "flood" signifies the devastation of the old or Most Ancient Church, likewise the Last Judgment upon those who were of that church; "the rain of forty days" signifies the ruin of that church by the falsities of evil; but the beginning of a new church is signified by the drying up of the earth after those forty days, and by its sprouting up anew; the "dove" that he sent out signifies the good of charity, which was the essential of that church. (But respecting these things see Arcana Coelestia, where they are explained.)
[5] The law in Moses:
That the wicked man might be smitten with forty stripes, and no more lest thy brother seem vile in thine eyes (Deuteronomy 25:3);
originated in this signification of the number "forty." Full punishment as well as vastation is described by "forty," since punishment is equally the consummation of evil; and as reformation follows after punishment, it is said that he should not be smitten with more stripes, "lest thy brother seem vile in thine eyes;" for "forty" signifies the end of evil, and also the beginning of good, therefore if he were smitten with more than forty stripes the beginning of good, or reformation, would not be signified.
[6] The vastation of the church with the sons of Jacob by a servitude of four hundred years in Egypt is signified by the words of Jehovah to Abraham:
Know that thy seed shall be a sojourner in a land not theirs, where they shall subject them to servitude four hundred years (Genesis 15:13).
"Four hundred" has a similar signification as "forty," just as one "thousand" has a similar signification as one "hundred," and one "hundred" as "ten. "
[7] The vastation of the church and also full temptation are signified by the tarrying of the sons of Israel forty years in the wilderness, which is thus spoken of in the following passages:
Your sons shall be shepherds in the wilderness forty years, and shall bear your whoredoms even till your carcasses are consumed 1 in the wilderness (Numbers 14:33, 34).
He made them to wander in the wilderness forty years, until all the generation that had done evil in the eyes of Jehovah was consumed (Numbers 32:13).
Jehovah hath known thy walking through the great wilderness these forty years, Jehovah thy God hath been with thee that thou lackedst nothing (Deuteronomy 2:7).
Thou shalt remember all the way which Jehovah thy God led thee these forty years in the wilderness, that He might afflict thee and tempt thee; He fed thee with manna; to afflict thee, to tempt thee, and to do thee good at the last (Deuteronomy 8:2, 3, 15, 16).
Your fathers tempted Me, they proved Me; forty years I loathed this generation, and I said, It is a people that do err in heart, and they have not known My ways (Psalms 95:9, 10).
I have made you to come up out of the land of Egypt, and I have led you in the wilderness forty years to possess the land of the Amorites (Amos 2:10).
From what has been cited it is clear that "forty years" signifies not only the vastation of the church with the sons of Israel, but also full temptation; also "the end of those years" signifies the beginning of a new church. The vastation of the church is described by these words, that "they should be shepherds in the wilderness forty years, and should bear whoredoms, even till their carcasses should be consumed; also by these, "until all this generation that had done evil in the eyes of Jehovah was consumed;" also by these, "I loathed this generation, and I said, It is a people that do err in heart, and they have not known My ways." But the temptation that is also signified by "forty years" is described by these words, "Jehovah thy God hath been with thee these forty years, that thou lackedst nothing;" also by these, "Jehovah led thee forty years in the wilderness, that He might afflict thee and tempt thee; and He fed thee with manna;" also by these, "He led thee in the wilderness to tempt thee, and to do thee good at the last." The beginning of a new church, after the end of the forty years, is described by their introduction into the land of Canaan, which took place after these forty years; and this is also meant by these words, "to do thee good at the last;" so also by these, "I have led you in the wilderness forty years to possess the land of the Amorites."
[8] Full temptation is signified also by:
Moses was upon Mount Sinai forty days and forty nights, during which he ate no bread and drank no water (Exodus 24:18; 34:28; Deuteronomy 9:9, 11, 18, 25).
In like manner that Jesus was in the wilderness, tempted by the devil, and fasted there forty days (Matthew 4:1, 2; Mark 1:13; Luke 4:1).
From this it can be seen that the number "forty" in the Word signifies full vastation and consummation, that is, when all the good of the church is vastated and the evil is consummated; also that the same number signifies full temptation, and also the establishment of the church anew, or reformation. From this it can be known what is signified by "the forty-two months during which the nations trampled down the holy city," likewise by the following in Revelation:
That there was given to the beast coming up out of the sea a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies, and there was given to him authority forty-two months (Revelation 13:1, 5).
Let no one, therefore, believe that "forty-two months" mean months, or that any time designated by numbers is meant here and in what follows.
Voetnoten:
1. The Latin has "consummantur;" Arcana Coelestia 9437 has "consumta fuerit."
1
Blessed are the undefiled in the way, who walk in the law of the LORD.
2
Blessed are they that keep his testimonies, and that seek him with the whole heart.
3
They also do no iniquity: they walk in his ways.
4
Thou hast commanded us to keep thy precepts diligently.
5
O that my ways were directed to keep thy statutes!
6
Then shall I not be ashamed, when I have respect unto all thy commandments.
7
I will praise thee with uprightness of heart, when I shall have learned thy righteous judgments.
8
I will keep thy statutes: O forsake me not utterly.
9
Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word.
10
With my whole heart have I sought thee: O let me not wander from thy commandments.
11
Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.
12
Blessed art thou, O LORD: teach me thy statutes.
13
With my lips have I declared all the judgments of thy mouth.
14
I have rejoiced in the way of thy testimonies, as much as in all riches.
15
I will meditate in thy precepts, and have respect unto thy ways.
16
I will delight myself in thy statutes: I will not forget thy word.
17
Deal bountifully with thy servant, that I may live, and keep thy word.
18
Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law.
19
I am a stranger in the earth: hide not thy commandments from me.
20
My soul breaketh for the longing that it hath unto thy judgments at all times.
21
Thou hast rebuked the proud that are cursed, which do err from thy commandments.
22
Remove from me reproach and contempt; for I have kept thy testimonies.
23
Princes also did sit and speak against me: but thy servant did meditate in thy statutes.
24
Thy testimonies also are my delight and my counsellors.
25
My soul cleaveth unto the dust: quicken thou me according to thy word.
26
I have declared my ways, and thou heardest me: teach me thy statutes.
27
Make me to understand the way of thy precepts: so shall I talk of thy wondrous works.
28
My soul melteth for heaviness: strengthen thou me according unto thy word.
29
Remove from me the way of lying: and grant me thy law graciously.
30
I have chosen the way of truth: thy judgments have I laid before me.
31
I have stuck unto thy testimonies: O LORD, put me not to shame.
32
I will run the way of thy commandments, when thou shalt enlarge my heart.
33
Teach me, O LORD, the way of thy statutes; and I shall keep it unto the end.
34
Give me understanding, and I shall keep thy law; yea, I shall observe it with my whole heart.
35
Make me to go in the path of thy commandments; for therein do I delight.
36
Incline my heart unto thy testimonies, and not to covetousness.
37
Turn away mine eyes from beholding vanity; and quicken thou me in thy way.
38
Stablish thy word unto thy servant, who is devoted to thy fear.
39
Turn away my reproach which I fear: for thy judgments are good.
40
Behold, I have longed after thy precepts: quicken me in thy righteousness.
41
Let thy mercies come also unto me, O LORD, even thy salvation, according to thy word.
42
So shall I have wherewith to answer him that reproacheth me: for I trust in thy word.
43
And take not the word of truth utterly out of my mouth; for I have hoped in thy judgments.
44
So shall I keep thy law continually for ever and ever.
45
And I will walk at liberty: for I seek thy precepts.
46
I will speak of thy testimonies also before kings, and will not be ashamed.
47
And I will delight myself in thy commandments, which I have loved.
48
My hands also will I lift up unto thy commandments, which I have loved; and I will meditate in thy statutes.
49
Remember the word unto thy servant, upon which thou hast caused me to hope.
50
This is my comfort in my affliction: for thy word hath quickened me.
51
The proud have had me greatly in derision: yet have I not declined from thy law.
52
I remembered thy judgments of old, O LORD; and have comforted myself.
53
Horror hath taken hold upon me because of the wicked that forsake thy law.
54
Thy statutes have been my songs in the house of my pilgrimage.
55
I have remembered thy name, O LORD, in the night, and have kept thy law.
56
This I had, because I kept thy precepts.
57
Thou art my portion, O LORD: I have said that I would keep thy words.
58
I intreated thy favour with my whole heart: be merciful unto me according to thy word.
59
I thought on my ways, and turned my feet unto thy testimonies.
60
I made haste, and delayed not to keep thy commandments.
61
The bands of the wicked have robbed me: but I have not forgotten thy law.
62
At midnight I will rise to give thanks unto thee because of thy righteous judgments.
63
I am a companion of all them that fear thee, and of them that keep thy precepts.
64
The earth, O LORD, is full of thy mercy: teach me thy statutes.
65
Thou hast dealt well with thy servant, O LORD, according unto thy word.
66
Teach me good judgment and knowledge: for I have believed thy commandments.
67
Before I was afflicted I went astray: but now have I kept thy word.
68
Thou art good, and doest good; teach me thy statutes.
69
The proud have forged a lie against me: but I will keep thy precepts with my whole heart.
70
Their heart is as fat as grease; but I delight in thy law.
71
It is good for me that I have been afflicted; that I might learn thy statutes.
72
The law of thy mouth is better unto me than thousands of gold and silver.
73
Thy hands have made me and fashioned me: give me understanding, that I may learn thy commandments.
74
They that fear thee will be glad when they see me; because I have hoped in thy word.
75
I know, O LORD, that thy judgments are right, and that thou in faithfulness hast afflicted me.
76
Let, I pray thee, thy merciful kindness be for my comfort, according to thy word unto thy servant.
77
Let thy tender mercies come unto me, that I may live: for thy law is my delight.
78
Let the proud be ashamed; for they dealt perversely with me without a cause: but I will meditate in thy precepts.
79
Let those that fear thee turn unto me, and those that have known thy testimonies.
80
Let my heart be sound in thy statutes; that I be not ashamed.
81
My soul fainteth for thy salvation: but I hope in thy word.
82
Mine eyes fail for thy word, saying, When wilt thou comfort me?
83
For I am become like a bottle in the smoke; yet do I not forget thy statutes.
84
How many are the days of thy servant? when wilt thou execute judgment on them that persecute me?
85
The proud have digged pits for me, which are not after thy law.
86
All thy commandments are faithful: they persecute me wrongfully; help thou me.
87
They had almost consumed me upon earth; but I forsook not thy precepts.
88
Quicken me after thy lovingkindness; so shall I keep the testimony of thy mouth.
89
For ever, O LORD, thy word is settled in heaven.
90
Thy faithfulness is unto all generations: thou hast established the earth, and it abideth.
91
They continue this day according to thine ordinances: for all are thy servants.
92
Unless thy law had been my delights, I should then have perished in mine affliction.
93
I will never forget thy precepts: for with them thou hast quickened me.
94
I am thine, save me; for I have sought thy precepts.
95
The wicked have waited for me to destroy me: but I will consider thy testimonies.
96
I have seen an end of all perfection: but thy commandment is exceeding broad.
97
O how love I thy law! it is my meditation all the day.
98
Thou through thy commandments hast made me wiser than mine enemies: for they are ever with me.
99
I have more understanding than all my teachers: for thy testimonies are my meditation.
100
I understand more than the ancients, because I keep thy precepts.
101
I have refrained my feet from every evil way, that I might keep thy word.
102
I have not departed from thy judgments: for thou hast taught me.
103
How sweet are thy words unto my taste! yea, sweeter than honey to my mouth!
104
Through thy precepts I get understanding: therefore I hate every false way.
105
Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.
106
I have sworn, and I will perform it, that I will keep thy righteous judgments.
107
I am afflicted very much: quicken me, O LORD, according unto thy word.
108
Accept, I beseech thee, the freewill offerings of my mouth, O LORD, and teach me thy judgments.
109
My soul is continually in my hand: yet do I not forget thy law.
110
The wicked have laid a snare for me: yet I erred not from thy precepts.
111
Thy testimonies have I taken as an heritage for ever: for they are the rejoicing of my heart.
112
I have inclined mine heart to perform thy statutes alway, even unto the end.
113
I hate vain thoughts: but thy law do I love.
114
Thou art my hiding place and my shield: I hope in thy word.
115
Depart from me, ye evildoers: for I will keep the commandments of my God.
116
Uphold me according unto thy word, that I may live: and let me not be ashamed of my hope.
117
Hold thou me up, and I shall be safe: and I will have respect unto thy statutes continually.
118
Thou hast trodden down all them that err from thy statutes: for their deceit is falsehood.
119
Thou puttest away all the wicked of the earth like dross: therefore I love thy testimonies.
120
My flesh trembleth for fear of thee; and I am afraid of thy judgments.
121
I have done judgment and justice: leave me not to mine oppressors.
122
Be surety for thy servant for good: let not the proud oppress me.
123
Mine eyes fail for thy salvation, and for the word of thy righteousness.
124
Deal with thy servant according unto thy mercy, and teach me thy statutes.
125
I am thy servant; give me understanding, that I may know thy testimonies.
126
It is time for thee, LORD, to work: for they have made void thy law.
127
Therefore I love thy commandments above gold; yea, above fine gold.
128
Therefore I esteem all thy precepts concerning all things to be right; and I hate every false way.
129
Thy testimonies are wonderful: therefore doth my soul keep them.
130
The entrance of thy words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple.
131
I opened my mouth, and panted: for I longed for thy commandments.
132
Look thou upon me, and be merciful unto me, as thou usest to do unto those that love thy name.
133
Order my steps in thy word: and let not any iniquity have dominion over me.
134
Deliver me from the oppression of man: so will I keep thy precepts.
135
Make thy face to shine upon thy servant; and teach me thy statutes.
136
Rivers of waters run down mine eyes, because they keep not thy law.
137
Righteous art thou, O LORD, and upright are thy judgments.
138
Thy testimonies that thou hast commanded are righteous and very faithful.
139
My zeal hath consumed me, because mine enemies have forgotten thy words.
140
Thy word is very pure: therefore thy servant loveth it.
141
I am small and despised: yet do not I forget thy precepts.
142
Thy righteousness is an everlasting righteousness, and thy law is the truth.
143
Trouble and anguish have taken hold on me: yet thy commandments are my delights.
144
The righteousness of thy testimonies is everlasting: give me understanding, and I shall live.
145
I cried with my whole heart; hear me, O LORD: I will keep thy statutes.
146
I cried unto thee; save me, and I shall keep thy testimonies.
147
I prevented the dawning of the morning, and cried: I hoped in thy word.
148
Mine eyes prevent the night watches, that I might meditate in thy word.
149
Hear my voice according unto thy lovingkindness: O LORD, quicken me according to thy judgment.
150
They draw nigh that follow after mischief: they are far from thy law.
151
Thou art near, O LORD; and all thy commandments are truth.
152
Concerning thy testimonies, I have known of old that thou hast founded them for ever.
153
Consider mine affliction, and deliver me: for I do not forget thy law.
154
Plead my cause, and deliver me: quicken me according to thy word.
155
Salvation is far from the wicked: for they seek not thy statutes.
156
Great are thy tender mercies, O LORD: quicken me according to thy judgments.
157
Many are my persecutors and mine enemies; yet do I not decline from thy testimonies.
158
I beheld the transgressors, and was grieved; because they kept not thy word.
159
Consider how I love thy precepts: quicken me, O LORD, according to thy lovingkindness.
160
Thy word is true from the beginning: and every one of thy righteous judgments endureth for ever.
161
Princes have persecuted me without a cause: but my heart standeth in awe of thy word.
162
I rejoice at thy word, as one that findeth great spoil.
163
I hate and abhor lying: but thy law do I love.
164
Seven times a day do I praise thee because of thy righteous judgments.
165
Great peace have they which love thy law: and nothing shall offend them.
166
LORD, I have hoped for thy salvation, and done thy commandments.
167
My soul hath kept thy testimonies; and I love them exceedingly.
168
I have kept thy precepts and thy testimonies: for all my ways are before thee.
169
Let my cry come near before thee, O LORD: give me understanding according to thy word.
170
Let my supplication come before thee: deliver me according to thy word.
171
My lips shall utter praise, when thou hast taught me thy statutes.
172
My tongue shall speak of thy word: for all thy commandments are righteousness.
173
Let thine hand help me; for I have chosen thy precepts.
174
I have longed for thy salvation, O LORD; and thy law is my delight.
175
Let my soul live, and it shall praise thee; and let thy judgments help me.
176
I have gone astray like a lost sheep; seek thy servant; for I do not forget thy commandments.
Steun:
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