10271. 'And the lampstand and its vessels' means within spiritual truth belonging to the second heaven, and within the truths which are of service to that truth. This is clear from the meaning of 'the lampstand' as a representative sign of the Lord in respect of spiritual truth belonging to the second heaven, dealt with in 9548, 9551, 9555, 9558, 9561, 9684; and from the meaning of 'its vessels' as truths existing as facts, which act as servants, dealt with in 3068, 3079, 9572, 9724.

3068. 'Let down now your pitcher' means submitting facts. This becomes clear from the meaning of 'letting down' as submitting, and from the meaning of 'a pitcher' as facts. The reason why a water-pot or a pitcher means facts is that 'water' means truth, 680, 739, 2702, and a pitcher is a vessel with water in it, even as factual knowledge is a vessel with truth in it. All factual knowledge is a vessel for truth, and all truth is a vessel for good. Factual knowledge without truth is an empty vessel, and so is truth without good; but factual knowledge in which truth is held is a vessel that is filled, as is truth in which good is held. Affection which is an attribute of love is what joins them together so that they may exist in order. For love is spiritual conjunction.