Comfort
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When the Bible talks about someone being comforted or consoled, it generally means that they are being offered ideas that will help bring them to a more peaceful spiritual state, whether it is a new state or the restoration of one that had been under attack. It's interesting; we tend to think of comforting someone as an emotional thing, offering our own feelings to help them feel better. But the Writings say that the spiritual meaning of 'comfort' is actually more intellectual, coming when a person gains new true ideas.
In Genesis 5:29, this signifies doctrine whereby what was perverted may be restored. (Arcana Coelestia 531)
In Genesis 27:42, this signifies intent to invert the current spiritual state.
Arcana Coelestia # 119
119. That 'Asshur' means the rational mind, that is, a person's rational, is quite clear in the Prophets, as in Ezekiel,
Behold, Asshur was a cedar in Lebanon, beautiful in its branches, and a forest shade, and of a great height, and its top among thick boughs. The waters caused it to grow, the depth of the water; made it tall, a river leading round about the place of its plantings. Ezekiel 31:3-4.
The rational is called 'a cedar in Lebanon'. 'The top among thick boughs' means facts in the memory, this being an apt description of them.
This is clearer still in Isaiah,
On that day there will be a highway from Egypt to Asshur, and Asshur will come into Egypt and Egypt into Asshur, and the Egyptians will serve Asshur. 1 On that day Israel will be the third with Egypt and Asshur, a blessing in the midst of the earth, whom Jehovah Zebaoth will bless, saying, Blessed be Egypt My people, and Asshur the work of My hands, and Israel My heritage. Isaiah 19:23-25.
Here and in many other places 'Egypt' means knowledge, 'Asshur' reason, and 'Israel' intelligence.
Notas de rodapé:
1. The Hebrew, of this text in Isaiah may be read in two different ways - serve Asshur or serve with Asshur. Most English versions of Isaiah prefer the second of these.