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Numbers 8

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1 και-C λαλεω-VAI-AAI3S κυριος-N2--NSM προς-P *μωυσης-N1M-ASM λεγω-V1--PAPNSM

2 λαλεω-VA--AAD2S ο- A--DSM *ααρων-N---DSM και-C ειπον-VF2-FAI2S προς-P αυτος- D--ASM οταν-D επιτιθημι-V7--PAS2S ο- A--APM λυχνος-N2--APM εκ-P μερος-N3E-GSN κατα-P προσωπον-N2N-ASN ο- A--GSF λυχνια-N1A-GSF φωτιζω-VF2-FAI3P ο- A--NPM επτα-M λυχνος-N2--NPM

3 και-C ποιεω-VAI-AAI3S ουτως-D *ααρων-N---NSM εκ-P ο- A--GSN εις-A3--GSN μερος-N3E-GSN κατα-P προσωπον-N2N-ASN ο- A--GSF λυχνια-N1A-GSF εκαπτω-VAI-AAI3S ο- A--APM λυχνος-N2--APM αυτος- D--GSF καθα-D συντασσω-VAI-AAI3S κυριος-N2--NSM ο- A--DSM *μωυσης-N1M-DSM

4 και-C ουτος- D--NSF ο- A--NSF κατασκευη-N1--NSF ο- A--GSF λυχνια-N1A-GSF στερεος-A1A-NSF χρυσους-A1C-NSF ο- A--NSM καυλος-N2--NSM αυτος- D--GSF και-C ο- A--NPN κρινον-N2N-NPN αυτος- D--GSF στερεος-A1A-NSF ολος-A1--NSF κατα-P ο- A--ASN ειδος-N3E-ASN ος- --NSN δεικνυω-VAI-AAI3S κυριος-N2--NSM ο- A--DSM *μωυσης-N1M-DSM ουτως-D ποιεω-VAI-AAI3S ο- A--ASF λυχνια-N1A-ASF

5 και-C λαλεω-VAI-AAI3S κυριος-N2--NSM προς-P *μωυσης-N1M-ASM λεγω-V1--PAPNSM

6 λαμβανω-VB--AAD2S ο- A--APM *λευιτης-N1M-APM εκ-P μεσος-A1--GSM υιος-N2--GPM *ισραηλ-N---GSM και-C αποαγνιζω-VF2-FAI2S αυτος- D--APM

7 και-C ουτως-D ποιεω-VF--FAI2S αυτος- D--DPM ο- A--ASM αγνισμος-N2--ASM αυτος- D--GPM περιραινω-VF2-FAI2S αυτος- D--APM υδωρ-N3--NSN αγνισμος-N2--GSM και-C επιερχομαι-VF--FMI3S ξυρον-N2N-ASN επι-P πας-A3--ASN ο- A--ASN σωμα-N3M-ASN αυτος- D--GPM και-C πλυνω-VF2-FAI3P ο- A--APN ιματιον-N2N-APN αυτος- D--GPM και-C καθαρος-A1A-NPM ειμι-VF--FMI3P

8 και-C λαμβανω-VF--FMI3P μοσχος-N2--ASM εις-A3--ASM εκ-P βους-N3--GPM και-C ουτος- D--GSM θυσια-N1A-ASF σεμιδαλις-N3I-GSF αναποιεω-VM--XPPASF εν-P ελαιον-N2N-DSN και-C μοσχος-N2--ASM ενιαυσιος-A1A-ASM εκ-P βους-N3--GPM λαμβανω-VF--FMI2S περι-P αμαρτια-N1A-GSF

9 και-C προςαγω-VF--FAI2S ο- A--APM *λευιτης-N1M-APM εναντι-P ο- A--GSF σκηνη-N1--GSF ο- A--GSN μαρτυριον-N2N-GSN και-C συναγω-VF--FAI2S πας-A1S-ASF συναγωγη-N1--ASF υιος-N2--GPM *ισραηλ-N---GSM

10 και-C προςαγω-VF--FAI2S ο- A--APM *λευιτης-N1M-APM εναντι-P κυριος-N2--GSM και-C επιτιθημι-VF--FAI3P ο- A--NPM υιος-N2--NPM *ισραηλ-N---GSM ο- A--APF χειρ-N3--APF αυτος- D--GPM επι-P ο- A--APM *λευιτης-N1M-APM

11 και-C αποοριζω-VF2-FAI3S *ααρων-N---NSM ο- A--APM *λευιτης-N1M-APM αποδομα-N3M-ASN εναντι-P κυριος-N2--GSM παρα-P ο- A--GPM υιος-N2--GPM *ισραηλ-N---GSM και-C ειμι-VF--FMI3P ωστε-C εργαζομαι-V1--PMN ο- A--APN εργον-N2N-APN κυριος-N2--GSM

12 ο- A--NPM δε-X *λευιτης-N1M-NPM επιτιθημι-VF--FAI3P ο- A--APF χειρ-N3--APF επι-P ο- A--APF κεφαλη-N1--APF ο- A--GPM μοσχος-N2--GPM και-C ποιεω-VF--FAI3S ο- A--ASM εις-A3--ASM περι-P αμαρτια-N1A-GSF και-C ο- A--ASM εις-A3--ASM εις-P ολοκαυτωμα-N3M-ASN κυριος-N2--DSM εκιλασκομαι-VA--AMN περι-P αυτος- D--GPM

13 και-C ιστημι-VF--FAI2S ο- A--APM *λευιτης-N1M-APM εναντι-P κυριος-N2--GSM και-C εναντι-P *ααρων-N---GSM και-C εναντι-P ο- A--GPM υιος-N2--GPM αυτος- D--GSM και-C αποδιδωμι-VF--FAI2S αυτος- D--APM αποδομα-N3M-ASN εναντι-P κυριος-N2--GSM

14 και-C διαστελλω-VF2-FAI2S ο- A--APM *λευιτης-N1M-APM εκ-P μεσος-A1--GSM υιος-N2--GPM *ισραηλ-N---GSM και-C ειμι-VF--FMI3P εγω- P--DS

15 και-C μετα-P ουτος- D--APN ειςερχομαι-VF--FMI3P ο- A--NPM *λευιτης-N1M-NPM εργαζομαι-V1--PMN ο- A--APN εργον-N2N-APN ο- A--GSF σκηνη-N1--GSF ο- A--GSN μαρτυριον-N2N-GSN και-C καθαριζω-VF2-FAI2S αυτος- D--APM και-C αποδιδωμι-VF--FAI2S αυτος- D--APM εναντι-P κυριος-N2--GSM

16 οτι-C αποδομα-N3M-NSN αποδιδωμι-VM--XMPNPM ουτος- D--NPM εγω- P--DS ειμι-V9--PAI3P εκ-P μεσος-A1--GSM υιος-N2--GPM *ισραηλ-N---GSM αντι-P ο- A--GPM δια αναοιγω-V1--PAPGPM πας-A1S-ASF μητρα-N1A-ASF πρωτοτοκος-A1B-GPM πας-A3--GPM εκ-P ο- A--GPM υιος-N2--GPM *ισραηλ-N---GSM λαμβανω-VX--XAI1S αυτος- D--APM εγω- P--DS

17 οτι-C εγω- P--DS πας-A3--ASN πρωτοτοκος-A1B-ASN εν-P υιος-N2--DPM *ισραηλ-N---GSM απο-P ανθρωπος-N2--GSM εως-P κτηνος-N3E-GSN ος- --DSF ημερα-N1A-DSF πατασσω-VAI-AAI1S πας-A3--ASN πρωτοτοκος-A1B-ASN εν-P γη-N1--DSF *αιγυπτος-N2--DSF αγιαζω-VAI-AAI1S αυτος- D--APM εγω- P--DS

18 και-C λαμβανω-VBI-AAI3P ο- A--APM *λευιτης-N1M-APM αντι-P πας-A3--GSN πρωτοτοκος-A1B-GSN εν-P υιος-N2--DPM *ισραηλ-N---GSM

19 και-C αποδιδωμι-VAI-AAI1S ο- A--APM *λευιτης-N1M-APM αποδομα-N3M-ASN διδωμι-VM--XMPAPM *ααρων-N---DSM και-C ο- A--DPM υιος-N2--DPM αυτος- D--GSM εκ-P μεσος-A1--GSM υιος-N2--GPM *ισραηλ-N---GSM εργαζομαι-V1--PMN ο- A--APN εργον-N2N-APN ο- A--GPM υιος-N2--GPM *ισραηλ-N---GSM εν-P ο- A--DSF σκηνη-N1--DSF ο- A--GSN μαρτυριον-N2N-GSN και-C εκιλασκομαι-V1--PMN περι-P ο- A--GPM υιος-N2--GPM *ισραηλ-N---GSM και-C ου-D ειμι-VF--FMI3S εν-P ο- A--DPM υιος-N2--DPM *ισραηλ-N---GSM προςεγγιζω-V1--PAPNSM προς-P ο- A--APN αγιος-A1A-APN

20 και-C ποιεω-VAI-AAI3S *μωυσης-N1M-NSM και-C *ααρων-N---NSM και-C πας-A1S-NSF συναγωγη-N1--NSF υιος-N2--GPM *ισραηλ-N---GSM ο- A--DPM *λευιτης-N1M-DPM καθα-D εντελλομαι-VAI-AMI3S κυριος-N2--NSM ο- A--DSM *μωυσης-N1M-DSM περι-P ο- A--GPM *λευιτης-N1M-GPM ουτως-D ποιεω-VAI-AAI3P αυτος- D--DPM ο- A--NPM υιος-N2--NPM *ισραηλ-N---GSM

21 και-C αγνιζω-VAI-AMI3P ο- A--NPM *λευιτης-N1M-NPM και-C πλυνω-VAI-AMI3P ο- A--APN ιματιον-N2N-APN και-C αποδιδωμι-VAI-AAI3S αυτος- D--APM *ααρων-N---NSM αποδομα-N3M-ASN εναντι-P κυριος-N2--GSM και-C εκιλασκομαι-VAI-AMI3S περι-P αυτος- D--GPM *ααρων-N---NSM αποαγνιζω-VA--AMN αυτος- D--APM

22 και-C μετα-P ουτος- D--APN ειςερχομαι-VBI-AAI3P ο- A--NPM *λευιτης-N1M-NPM λειτουργεω-V2--PAN ο- A--ASF λειτουργια-N1A-ASF αυτος- D--GPM εν-P ο- A--DSF σκηνη-N1--DSF ο- A--GSN μαρτυριον-N2N-GSN εναντι-P *ααρων-N---GSM και-C εναντι-P ο- A--GPM υιος-N2--GPM αυτος- D--GSM καθως-D συντασσω-VAI-AAI3S κυριος-N2--NSM ο- A--DSM *μωυσης-N1M-DSM περι-P ο- A--GPM *λευιτης-N1M-GPM ουτως-D ποιεω-VAI-AAI3P αυτος- D--DPM

23 και-C λαλεω-VAI-AAI3S κυριος-N2--NSM προς-P *μωυσης-N1M-ASM λεγω-V1--PAPNSM

24 ουτος- D--NSN ειμι-V9--PAI3S ο- A--NSN περι-P ο- A--GPM *λευιτης-N1M-GPM απο-P ςπεντεκαιεικοσαετο-N3--GSM και-C επανω-D ειςερχομαι-VF--FMI3P ενεργεω-V2--PAN εν-P ο- A--DSF σκηνη-N1--DSF ο- A--GSN μαρτυριον-N2N-GSN

25 και-C απο-P πεντηκονταετης-A3H-GSM αποιστημι-VF--FMI3S απο-P ο- A--GSF λειτουργια-N1A-GSF και-C ου-D εργαζομαι-VF2-FMI3S ετι-D

26 και-C λειτουργεω-VF--FAI3S ο- A--NSM αδελφος-N2--NSM αυτος- D--GSM εν-P ο- A--DSF σκηνη-N1--DSF ο- A--GSN μαρτυριον-N2N-GSN φυλασσω-V1--PAN φυλακη-N1--APF εργον-N2N-APN δε-X ου-D εργαζομαι-VF2-FMI3S ουτως-D ποιεω-VF--FAI2S ο- A--DPM *λευιτης-N1M-DPM εν-P ο- A--DPF φυλακη-N1--DPF αυτος- D--GPM

   

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Apocalypse Explained #279

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279. And the second animal like a calf. That this signifies the appearance in ultimates of the Divine good as to defence is evident from the signification of a calf, or young bullock, as being the good of the natural man, and specifically his good of innocence and charity; and because it denotes this good, it also denotes the good of the ultimate heaven, for this heaven is spiritual-natural (as may be seen in the work, Heaven and Hell. n. 29-31). And because this good is in the ultimate heaven, therefore it is a guard, or defence, to prevent the higher heavens from being approached except by the good of love and of charity; this is why one cherub was like a calf. That this appearance was in ultimates, may be seen just above (n. 278). The reason why a calf or young bullock signifies the good of the natural man, is that those animals which belonged to the herd signified the affections of good and truth in the external or natural man, and those which belonged to the flock signified the affections of good and truth in the internal or spiritual man. Those animals which belong to the flock are lambs, she-goats, sheep, rams, and he-goats; and those which belong to the herd are oxen, calves, young bullocks.

[2] That young bullocks and calves signify the good of the natural man is evident from the passages of the Word where they are mentioned. And first from the description of the feet of the cherubim, in Ezekiel:

"Their right foot and the soles of their feet, as it were the soles of a calf's foot, and they were shining, as the colour of polished brass" (1:7).

The reason their right foot was thus seen was that the cherubim represented the Divine guardianship of the Lord, and the feet and soles of the feet represented the same in ultimates, or in the spiritual-natural heaven and in the natural world. For by the feet is signified in general the Natural; by the right foot is signified the Natural as to good; by the sole of the foot the ultimates therein, and similarly polished brass signifies good in the Natural. It is therefore evident that good in the Natural is signified by a calf, and that here is the ultimate good which guards and defends lest the heavens should be approached except by the good of love and of charity. (That the feet signify the Natural may be seen, Arcana Coelestia 2162, 3147, 3761, 3986, 4280, 4938-4952, 5327, 5328; that that which is on the right signifies good from which is truth, n. 9604, 9736, 10061: hence the right foot signifies the Natural as to good. That the palms of the hands, the soles of the feet, and hoofs, signify the ultimates in the Natural, may be seen, n. 4938, 7729; and that polished brass signifies natural good, may be seen above, n. 70).

[3] In Hosea:

"Return ye to Jehovah; say unto him, Take away all iniquity, and accept good, and we will render the bullocks of our lips" (14:2).

What is meant by rendering the bullocks of the lips, no one can know unless he understands what bullocks, and what the lips signify. That confession and thanksgiving from a good heart is here denoted, is evident; but it is thus expressed because bullocks signify external good, and the lips signify doctrine; hence by rendering the bullocks of the lips, is signified to confess and give thanks from the goods of doctrine. (That the lips signify doctrine, may be seen,Arcana Coelestia 1286, 1288.)

[4] In Amos:

"Ye draw the habitation of violence; they lie upon beds of ivory, and eat the lambs out of the flock and the calves out of the midst of the stall" (6:3, 4).

The subject here treated of is those who possess in abundance the knowledges of good and truth, and yet lead an evil life. To eat the lambs out of the flock signifies to drink in the knowledges of internal good or of the spiritual man; and to eat the calves out of the midst of the stall signifies to drink in the knowledges of external goods or of the natural man; and to draw the habitation of violence is to live a life contrary to charity.

[5] In Malachi:

"But unto you that fear my name shall the sun of righteousness arise and healing in his wings; that ye may go forth, and grow up as calves of the stall" (4:2).

The sun of righteousness which shall arise to them that fear the name of Jehovah, signifies the good of love; and healing in his wings, signifies the truth of faith; hence, to go forth, and to grow up as calves of the stall, signifies an increase of all good; fatted, and also fat, signifying good.

[6] In Luke:

The father said to his servants concerning the prodigal son who returned penitent in heart, "Bring forth the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand and shoes on his feet; and bring hither the fatted calf, and kill it; and let us eat and be merry" (15:22, 23).

He who understands only the sense of the letter might suppose that this passage contains nothing deeper than appears in that sense, when nevertheless every particular involves something heavenly; as that they should put on the returning prodigal the best robe, that they should put a ring on his hand and shoes on his feet, that they should bring forth the fatted calf, that they should kill it, and eat and be merry. By the prodigal son are meant those who are prodigal of spiritual riches, which are knowledges (cognitiones) of truth and good; by his return to his father, and his confession that he was not worthy to be called his son, are signified penitence of heart and humiliation. By the best, or chief (primarium) robe being put on him, are signified general and primary truths; by a ring upon the hand is signified the conjunction of truth and good in the internal or spiritual man; by shoes upon the feet is signified the same in the external or natural man; and by both these, regeneration. By the fatted calf is signified the good of love and of charity; and by their eating and being merry are signified association and heavenly joy.

[7] In Jeremiah:

"I will give the men who have transgressed my covenant, who have not established the words of my covenant which they made before me, the covenant of the calf which they cut into two pieces that they might pass between the parts thereof, the princes of Judah and the princes of Jerusalem, the royal ministers and priests, and all the people of the land, passing between the parts of the calf, I will even give them into the hands of their enemies, that their carcass may be for food to the bird of the heavens" (34:18-20).

What is meant by the covenant of the calf, and by passing between the parts thereof, no one can know unless he knows what is signified by covenant, what by calf, what by its being cut into two parts; also, what is meant by the princes of Judah and of Jerusalem, by the royal ministers, the priests, and the people of the land. That there is some heavenly arcanum herein is evident. Nevertheless it can be understood, when it is known that a covenant denotes conjunction; a calf, good; a calf cut into two parts, the good proceeding from the Lord on one part, and the good received by man on the other, whence there is conjunction; and that the princes of Judah and of Jerusalem, the royal ministers, the priests, and the people of the land, denote the goods and truths which pertain to the church; and that to pass between the parts denotes to conjoin. When these things are known the internal sense of the passage may be known, which is, that there was no conjunction by the goods and truths of the church with that nation, but disjunction.

[8] Similar things are involved in the covenant of the calf with Abram, concerning which it is thus written in Genesis:

Jehovah said to Abram, "Take to thee a calf of three years old, and a she-goat of three years old, and a ram of three years old, and a turtle-dove, and a young pigeon. And he took unto himself all these, and divided them in the midst, and laid each part one against another; and the birds divided he not. And when the fowls came down upon the carcasses, Abram drove them away. And when the sun was going down, a deep sleep fell upon Abram; and, lo, a horror of great darkness fell upon him. And in that day Jehovah made a covenant with Abram" (15:9-12, 18).

The horror of great darkness which fell upon Abram signified the state of the Jewish nation, which was in the greatest darkness as to the truths and goods of the church; this state of that nation is what is described in the Prophet by the covenant ratified by dividing the calf into two parts, between which they passed. Because by a calf is signified the good of the natural man and its truth, which is scientific truth (scientificum); and since the natural man and the scientific thereof is signified by Egypt, therefore Egypt in the Word is called a she-calf, and also a he-calf; therefore, also, after they applied the scientifics (scientifica) of the church to magical and idolatrous purposes they turned the calf into an idol. This is why the sons of Israel made to themselves a calf in the wilderness, and worshipped it, and also why they had a calf in Samaria.

[9] That Egypt is thus designated is evident in Jeremiah:

"A very fair she-calf is Egypt; destruction cometh out of the north, and her mercenaries in the midst of her as calves of the stall" (46:20, 21).

(Concerning the calf which the sons of Israel made to themselves in the wilderness, see Exodus 32; and concerning the calf of Samaria, 1 Kings 12:25-32).

Again, in Hosea:

"They have made a king, but not by me; they have made princes, and I knew it not; of their silver and their gold have they made them idols, that it may be cut off. Thy calf, O Samaria, hath forsaken thee. For from Israel was it also; the workman made it, not God; the calf of Samaria shall be broken in pieces" (8:4-6).

The subject here treated of is the corrupt explanation of the Word, the sense of the letter of which is turned to favour their own loves and the principles of religion thence conceived. To make a king but not by Jehovah, and to make princes and I have not known, signifies doctrinals from man's own intelligence, which are essentially falsities, but which they make to appear as truths. For a king signifies truth, and, in an opposite sense, falsity; princes signify primary truths, and, in the opposite sense, falsities which are called principles of religion. To make idols of their silver and gold signifies their perversion of the truths and goods of the church, and worshipping them as holy, although, being derived from their own intelligence, they are destitute of life. Silver denotes the truth, and gold the good, which are from the Lord. Idols signify worship from doctrine which is from man's own intelligence; "the workman made it, and not God," signifies, that it is from man's proprium and not from the Divine; to be broken in pieces, signifies to be dissipated; hence it is evident what is signified by the calf of Samaria. Because calves signified the good of the natural man, therefore also calves were sacrificed, concerning which see Exodus 29:11, 12 and following verses; Leviticus 4:3, 13 and following verses; 8:15 and following verses; 9:2; 16:3; 23:18; Numbers 8:8 and following verses; 15:24; 28:19, 20; Judg. 6:25-29; 1 Sam. 1:25; 16:2; 1 Kings 18:23-26, 33. For all the animals which were sacrificed signified various classes of the goods of the church.

  
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Translation by Isaiah Tansley. Many thanks to the Swedenborg Society for the permission to use this translation.

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Arcana Coelestia #4286

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4286. 'And he said, Your name will no longer be called Jacob, but Israel' means the Divine celestial-spiritual at this point, for 'Israel' is the celestial-spiritual man within the natural, and so is the natural man, whereas the celestial[- spiritual] man proper - that is, the rational man - is 'Joseph'. This becomes clear from what is said below about Jacob and Israel, and also about Joseph, for one must begin here by stating what the celestial-spiritual is. At the present day within the Church the existence of the spiritual man and the natural man, or the internal man and the external, is indeed well known; but as to what the spiritual or internal man may be, this is not as yet so well known. Still less is it known what the celestial man is and the fact that this is distinct and separate from the spiritual man. And as this is not known it is impossible to know what the celestial-spiritual man is, meant here by 'Israel', and therefore a brief statement about it must be made.

[2] It is well known that there are three heavens - the inmost heaven, the middle heaven, and the ultimate heaven, or what amounts to the same, the third, second, and first heavens. The inmost or third heaven is celestial, the angels there being called celestial because they are governed by love to the Lord and as a consequence are the ones most closely linked to the Lord. And that being so they excel all other angels in wisdom. They are innocent and are for that reason called embodiments of innocence and wisdom. These angels are divided into internal and external, the internal being more celestial than the external. The middle or second heaven is spiritual, the angels there being called spiritual because they are governed by charity towards the neighbour, that is, by mutual love, the nature of which is such that one angel loves another more than himself. And because their nature is such, intelligence is present within them and for that reason they are called embodiments of intelligence. These angels too are divided into internal and external, the internal being more spiritual than the external. But the ultimate or first heaven is also celestial and spiritual, though not in the same degree as the previous ones; for the natural is closely associated with them, and so for that reason they are called celestial-natural and spiritual-natural. They too are governed by mutual love, but they do not love others more than themselves, only as themselves. What governs them is an affection for good and a knowledge of truth. They also are divided into internal and external.

[3] But what the celestial-spiritual is must also be stated briefly. The term celestial-spiritual applies to those who have been called spiritual immediately above and who are in the middle or second heaven. They are given the name celestial because of their mutual love, and spiritual because of their intelligence arising out of this. The internal members of that heaven are represented by Joseph, and also in the Word are actually called 'Joseph', whereas its external members are represented by Israel, and also in the Word are actually called 'Israel'. The former, namely the internal members who are called Joseph, partake of the rational, whereas the external members who are called Israel partake of the natural, for they are half-way between the rational and the natural. These are the reasons why it has been said that 'Israel' is the celestial-spiritual man within the natural man, and so is the natural man, and that 'Joseph' is the celestial-spiritual man proper, which is the rational man. For in the universal sense all good which flows from love and charity is called celestial, and all truth which derives from this and constitutes faith and intelligence is referred to as spiritual.

[4] These things have been stated so that people may know what is meant by 'Israel'. But by 'Israel' the Lord's Divine celestial-spiritual is meant in the highest sense, whereas the Lord's spiritual kingdom in heaven and on earth is meant in the internal sense. The Lord's spiritual kingdom on earth is the Church, which is called the spiritual Church. And as 'Israel' means the Lord's spiritual kingdom, 'Israel' also means the spiritual man, for the Lord's kingdom exists within all who are spiritual, since each is heaven and also the Church in the smallest form these can take, 4279. As for Jacob, in the highest sense he represents the Lord's natural, both His celestial-natural and His spiritual-natural, and in the internal sense the Lord's kingdom as it exists in the ultimate or first heaven, and so also the corresponding area of the Church. Good within the natural is that which is called celestial here, and truth within it that which is called spiritual. From all this one may see what 'Israel' and 'Jacob' mean in the Word, and also why Jacob received the name Israel.

[5] But these ideas that have been stated will inevitably seem obscure, the chief reason being that few people know what the spiritual man is, and scarcely any what the celestial man is, or consequently that there is any difference between the spiritual man and the celestial man. The reason why they do not know is that no clear difference is perceived between good which is the good of love and charity, and truth which is the truth of faith. And the reason why these are not perceived is that genuine charity does not exist any longer. When something is non-existent no perception of it is possible. And a further reason why they are not perceived is that people do not bother very much about the things that have to do with the life after death, and so about those to do with heaven, but much about things to do with life in the body, and so with things which belong to the world. If people did bother about the things that have to do with the life after death, and so about those which have to do with heaven, they would easily grasp all that has been mentioned above, for that which a person loves he absorbs and grasps with ease, but that which he does not love with difficulty.

[6] The fact that 'Jacob' has one meaning and 'Israel' another is quite evident from the Word, for in its historical sections, and in the prophetical ones too, Jacob is used at one point, Israel at another; and sometimes the two names occur in the same verse. From this it becomes clear that there is an internal sense to the Word, and that without that sense this matter could in no way be known. The use of Jacob at one point, Israel at another is clear from the following,

Jacob dwelt in the land of his father's sojournings. These are the generations of Jacob. Joseph was a son of seventeen years. And Israel loved Joseph more than all his sons. Genesis 37:1-3.

Here Jacob is first called 'Jacob' and immediately after that 'Israel' - Israel being used when Joseph is referred to. Elsewhere,

Jacob saw that there was grain in Egypt; Jacob said to his sons . . . And the sons of Israel came to buy in the midst of others who came. Genesis 42:1, 5.

And after this,

They went up out of Egypt and came to the land of Canaan, to Jacob their father. When they told him all Joseph's words which he had spoken to them the spirit of Jacob their father revived. And Israel said, Enough; Joseph my son is still alive. Genesis 45:25, 27-28.

Then,

And Israel set out and all that he had. God spoke to Israel in visions in the night and said, Jacob, Jacob. And he said, Behold, here I am. And Jacob rose up from Beersheba; and the sons of Israel carried away 1 Jacob their father. Genesis 46:1-2, 5.

And in the same chapter,

These are the names of the sons of Israel who came into Egypt, Jacob and his sons. Genesis 46:8.

Further on,

Joseph brought in Jacob his father and placed him before Pharaoh. Pharaoh said to Jacob . . . and Jacob said to Pharaoh . . . Genesis 47:7-10.

And in the same chapter,

And Israel dwelt in the land of Goshen. And Jacob lived in the land of Egypt seventeen years. And Israel's days drew near when he must die; he called his son Joseph. Genesis 47:27-29.

Yet again,

And someone reported to Jacob and said, Behold, your son Joseph has come to you, and Israel found some strength in himself and sat up on his bed. And Jacob said to Joseph, God Shaddai appeared to me in Luz. Genesis 48:2-3.

The name Israel is again used in the same chapter in verses 8, 10, 11, 13, 14, 20-21. And finally,

Jacob called his sons and said, Gather together, and hear, O sons of Jacob; and hearken to Israel your father. And when Jacob had finished commanding his sons . . . Genesis 49:1-2, 33.

From all these places it becomes clear that Jacob is called Jacob at one point, Israel at another, thus that Jacob has one meaning, Israel another, that is, one thing is meant when he is called Jacob, another when he is called Israel. They also make it quite clear that this arcanum can in no way be known except from the internal sense.

[7] What 'Jacob' means however, and what 'Israel', has been stated above. In general 'Jacob' in the Word means the external aspect of the Church and 'Israel' the internal, for every Church has an external aspect and it has an internal one, that is, it is internal and also external. And because that which constitutes the Church is meant by 'Jacob' and by 'Israel' and because the Church in its entirety originates in the Lord, both Jacob and Israel therefore mean the Lord in the highest sense - 'Jacob' the Lord's Divine natural, 'Israel' His Divine spiritual. Consequently the external aspect of the Lord's kingdom and of His Church is meant by 'Jacob' and the internal by 'Israel', as becomes additionally clear from the following places in which again each name is used in its own sense. In the prophecy uttered by Jacob, who by then was Israel,

By the hands of the Mighty One of Jacob; from there is the Shepherd, the Stone of Israel. Genesis 49:24.

In Isaiah,

Hear, O Jacob My servant, and Israel whom I have chosen. Fear not, O My servant Jacob, and Jeshurun whom I have chosen. I will pour out My spirit upon your seed, and My blessing upon your sons. This one will say, I am Jehovah's, and another will call himself by the name of Jacob: and he will write with his hand, Jehovah's, and surname himself by the name of Israel. Isaiah 44:1-3, 5.

Here 'Jacob' and 'Israel' plainly stand for the Lord, while Jacob or Israel's 'seed' and 'sons' stand for those whose faith is in Him. In Balaam's prophecy in Moses,

Who will count the dust of Jacob, and its number together with a fourth part of Israel? Numbers 23:10.

And again,

There is no divination against Jacob, nor enchantments against Israel. At that time it will be said to Jacob and to Israel, What has God done? Numbers 23:23.

Further still,

How fine are your tabernacles, O Jacob; your dwelling-places, O Israel. Numbers 24:5.

And again,

A star will arise out of Jacob, and a sceptre out of Israel. Numbers 24:17.

In Isaiah,

My glory will I not give to another. Hearken to me, O Jacob, and O Israel whom I called: I am the same; I am the first; I am also the last. Isaiah 48:11-12.

In the same prophet,

Those who are to come Jacob will cause to take root. Israel will blossom and flower, and the face of the earth will be filled with produce. Isaiah 27:6.

In Jeremiah,

Do not fear, O My servant Jacob, and do not be dismayed, O Israel, for behold, I have saved you from afar. Jeremiah 30:9-10.

In Micah,

I will surely gather Jacob, all of you, I will surely assemble the remnant of Israel, I will put them together, like the sheep of Bozrah. Micah 2:12.

[8] The reason why Jacob received the name Israel is clear from the actual words used when he was given it, which are these,

Your name will no longer be called Jacob, but Israel, for as a prince you have contended with God and with men, and have prevailed.

Israel in the original language means 'one contending as a prince with God', and these words mean in the internal sense that he overcame in the conflicts that accompany temptations; for it was through temptations and the conflicts which take place in temptations 2 that the Lord made His Human Divine, 1737, 1813, and elsewhere. And it is temptations and victories in temptations that make the spiritual man. This is why Jacob first received the name Israel after his wrestling - 'wrestling' meaning to undergo temptation, see 4274. It is well known that the Church, or the member of the Christian Church, calls itself Israel, but no one in the Church is an Israel except the one who has become a spiritual man through temptations. The name itself also implies the same. A subsequent confirmation of the fact that Jacob was to be called Israel was also given to him, as is clear from the following words further on,

And God appeared again to Jacob when coming from Paddan Aram, and blessed him; and God said to him, Your name is Jacob; your name will no longer be called Jacob, but Israel will be your name. And He called his name Israel. Genesis 35:9-10.

The reason for this confirmation will be discussed below.

Voetnoten:

1. i.e. in a cart

2. Or, reading what Swedenborg had in his rough draft for it was through temptations and victories in temptations

  
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Thanks to the Swedenborg Society for the permission to use this translation.