THE EXPLANATION of Isaiah Chapter 11

(Note: Rev. Smithson's translation of the Isaiah text is appended below the explanation)

1. AND there shall come forth a Shoot from the trunk of Jesse; and a Sprout from his roots shall become fruitful:

VERSE 1. The Lord, as to His Humanity born of the virgin and glorified in the world, is here called "a Shoot from the trunk of Jesse", also "a Sprout from his roots"; and in other passages He is called:

"a Germ of justice"; (Jeremiah 23:5)

"The Seed of the woman"; (Genesis 3:15)

"The only-Begotten"; (John 1:18)

"A Priest for ever, and the Lord." (Psalm 110:4-5)

Here no Son from eternity is meant, but a Son that was to be born in the world; for these passages contain prophecies concerning the coming of the Lord. Doctrine of the Lord 19. See also True Christian Religion 101.

2. And the Spirit of Jehovah shall rest upon Him; the spirit of wisdom and understanding; the spirit of counsel and might; the spirit of knowledge and the fear of Jehovah;

Verse 2. In many passages in the Word mention is made of "spirit", and, when predicated of man, by "spirit" is signified divine Truth received in the life, thus his spiritual life, but when predicated of the Lord, by "Spirit" is understood the Divine Principle which proceeds from Him, which, with a general expression, is called Divine Truth. But inasmuch as few at this day know what is understood by "spirit", in the Word, it may be expedient, first, to show from passages thence adduced, that "spirit", when predicated of man, signifies divine Truth received in the life, thus his spiritual life.

Now as there are two things which constitute the spiritual life of man, namely, the Good of love and the Truth of faith, therefore in many passages of the Word mention is made of "the heart and spirit", as likewise "the heart and soul"; and by the "heart" is signified the Good of love, and by the "spirit", the Truth of faith; the latter is likewise signified by "soul", for thereby in the Word is understood man's spirit. That by "spirit", when predicated of man, is signified Truth received in the life, appears from the following passages.

Thus in Ezekiel -

"Make you a new heart and a new spirit: wherefore will you die, O house of Israel?" (Ezekiel 18:31)

Again,

"I will give unto you a new heart, and a new spirit will I give in the midst of you." (Ezekiel 36:26)

And in David,

"Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit in the midst of me. The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, God doth not despise." (Psalm 51:10, 17)

In these passages heart signifies the Good of love, and "spirit" the Truth of faith, from whence man has spiritual life; for there are two things which constitute all the, spiritual life of man, namely, Good and Truth, from these two united in man, constitute his spiritual life. When it is known what is signified by the "spirit" appertaining to man, it may be known what " Spirit " signifies when it is predicated of Jehovah, or the Lord; to whom are attributed all things appertaining to man, as a face, eyes, ears, arms, hands, as also a heart and a soul thus, also a spirit, which in the Word is called the "Spirit of God", the Spirit of Jehovah, the "spirit of His nostrils", the "spirit of His mouth, the "Spirit of Truth, the "Spirit of Holiness", and the Holy Spirit, whereby is understood Divine Truth proceeding from the Lord, as may appear from many passages in the Word.

The reason that Divine Truth proceeding from the Lord is the "Spirit" of God, is, because all the life which men have is derived from thence as also the heavenly life appertaining to those who receive that Divine Truth in faith and life, that this is the "Spirit of God", the Lord Himself teaches in John,

"The words which I speak unto you are spirit and are life; (John 6:63) and in Isaiah 11:1, 2. Apocalypse Explained 183. See also Arcana Coelestia 2826, 9818.

"Verses 2. 3. The Spirit of Jehovah shall rest upon Him, etc. - These words also relate to the Lord, and thereby is described the Divine Truth, in which and from which is all wisdom and intelligence. The Divine Truth which was in the Lord, when He was in the world, and which, after the glorification of His Human, proceeds from Him, is understood by "the Spirit of Jehovah which shall rest upon Him."

That thence He had Divine Wisdom and Divine Power is understood by "the spirit of wisdom and intelligence" and by the spirit of counsel and might"; that thence He had Omniscience and essential sanctity in worship, is understood by "the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of Jehovah"; and whereas "fear" signifies the holy principle of worship from divine Truth, it is therefore added, whence "this offering of incense was in the fear of Jehovah"; for to "offer incense" signifies worship from the Divine-Spiritual [principle], which is Divine Truth, concerning which (see above, Apocalypse Explained 324, 491) it is said, "the spirit of wisdom and intelligence, of knowledge and of fear"; and by "spirit" is understood the Divine Proceeding; by the "spirit of wisdom", the Divine-Celestial, which is the Divine Proceeding received by the angels of the inmost or third heaven; by the "spirit of intelligence" is meant the Divine-Spiritual, which is the Divine Proceeding received by the angels of the middle or second heaven; by the "spirit of science" [or knowledgeJ is meant the Divine-Natural, which is the Divine Proceeding received by the angels of the ultimate or first heaven; and by the "spirit of the fear of Jehovah" is understood all the holiness of worship from those divine principles. Apocalypse Explained 696.

3. And His offering of incense shall be in the fear of Jehovah: He shall not judge according to the sight of His eyes; nor shall He reprove according to the hearing of His ears:

Verse 3. "Incense" signifies those things appertaining to worship, which are performed from spiritual good, or from the good of charity, and thence are gratefully perceived. Apocalypse Explained 324, 325, 492.

The reason why "incense" signifies worship from spiritual Good, is, because the principal worship in the Jewish church consisted in the offering of sacrifices and incense; wherefore there were two altars, one for sacrifices and the other for incense. The latter altar was within the tabernacle, and was called the "golden altar", but the former was without the tabernacle, and was called the "altar of burnt-offerings." The reason was, because there are two kinds of goods from which all "worship is performed, celestial Good and spiritual Good. Celestial Good is the Good of love to the Lord, and spiritual Good is the Good of love to our neighbour. Worship by sacrifices was worship from celestial Good, and worship by incense was worship from spiritual Good. Apocalypse Revealed 277.

In the fear of Jehovah. - What is signified in the Word by "fearing God", may be manifest from very many passages therein, understood according to the internal sense. the "fear of God", according to that sense, signifies worship, and indeed worship either grounded in fear, or in the good of faith, or in the good of love. The "fear of God" signifies worship grounded in fear or dread, when the subject treated of is concerning the non-regenerate, as in Exodus 20:19, 20; Deuteronomy 5:22, 24, 20; where the "fear of God" signifies worship grounded in fear, in respect to them as being of such a nature. For they who are principled in external worship without internal, are led by fear to the observance of the law, and to compliance with its precepts, but still they, do not come into internal worship, or into holy fear, unless they are in the good of life, and know and believe what internal worship is. So in Deuteronomy 28:58-60; where to "fear the honourable and terrible name of JEHOVAH GOD", is to worship from a principle of fear or dread, to inspire which into a people of such a nature and quality as the Jews were, all evils, even to curses, were attributed to Jehovah. So in Jeremiah 2:19; Matthew 10:28; Luke 12:2-5. In these passages also to "fear God" implies worship from fear or dread, because it is fear which drives them to compliance. Arcana Coelestia 2826.

But spiritual fear is holy fear, which is in all spiritual love, variously, according to the quality of the love, and its quantity. In this fear the spiritual man is principled; he likewise knows that the Lord does not do evil to anyone, still less does He destroy anyone as to "body and soul in hell", (Luke 12:5) but that He does good to all, and that He is willing to lift up everyone as to body and soul to Himself into heaven. Hence the fear of the spiritual man, lest by evils of life and by false principles of doctrine he should avert the Divine in himself, and thereby injure it. But natural fear, or the fear of the unregenerate natural man, is dread, alarm, and terror on account of dangers, punishments, and thus on account of hell; which fear is in every corporeal love, variously also, according to the quality of the love and according to its quantity. The natural man who is subject to that fear, knows no other than that the Lord does evil to the wicked, that He condemns them, casts them into hell, and punishes them; hence it is that they fear, and are afraid of the Lord. In this fear were the generality of the Jewish and Israelitish nation, by reason that they were natural men. Apocalypse Explained 696.

4. But with justice shall He judge the poor, and with equity shall He plead for the miserable of the earth: and He shall smite the earth with the rod of His mouth, and with the breath of His lips shall He slay the wicked.

Verse 4. He shall smite the earth with the rod of His mouth, etc. - By the "rod of the mouth of Jehovah" is signified Divine Truth, or the Word, in the natural sense; and by the "spirit of His lips" is signified Divine Truth, or the Word, in the spiritual sense, - both destroying the false of evil in the church, which is signified by "smiting the earth, and slaying the wicked." Apocalypse Explained 727. See also Arcana Coelestia 1286.

5. And justice shall be the girdle of His loins, and truth the girdle of His reins.

Verse 5. Justice shall be the girdle of His loins, etc. - A "girdle", in the Word, signifies a common bond whereby all things are kept in their order and connection, as in Isaiah 11:5. As a "girdle" signifies a bond conjoining the goods and truths of the church, therefore when the church among the children of Israel was destroyed, Jeremiah the prophet was commanded to "buy himself a girdle, and put it upon his loins, and then to hide it in a hole of a rock beside the Euphrates; and at the end of days, when he took it, behold, it was rotten and profitable for nothing"; (Jeremiah 13:1-7) by which was represented that at that time there was no good in the church, and thence truths were dissipated. The same is signified by a "girdle" in other passages, as in Isaiah:

"Instead of a girdle there shall be a rent." (Isaiah 3:24) Apocalypse Revealed 46.

Verses 5, 6. Justice shall be the girdle of His loins, and truth the girdle of His reins; - the wolf shall dwell with the lamb, etc. - These things are said concerning the Lord, and concerning His kingdom and the state of innocence and peace therein. That they are said concerning the Lord, is evident from the first verse of the chapter, where it is said that "a Shoot shall come forth from the trunk of Jesse, and a Sprout shall grow from his roots." That "justice shall be the girdle of His loins, and truth the girdle of His reins", signifies that the Divine Good, proceeding from the Divine Love of the Lord, shall conjoin those in heaven and in the church who are principled in love to Him, and that Divine Truth proceeding from Him shall conjoin those in heaven and in the church who are principled in love towards their neighbour; by "justice", when predicated of the Lord, is understood the Divine Good, and by His" loins" are understood those who are principled in love to Him: by "truth" is understood the Divine Truth, and by His "reins" are understood those who are principled in love towards their neighbour; and by "girdle" is signified conjunction with them in heaven and in the church. Wherefore "he shall dwell " signifies a state of peace, which takes place when nothing of evil from hell is feared, because it cannot do hurt; "the wolf with the lamb, and the leopard with the kid", signifies that no evil and false shall hurt those who are in innocence and in charity from the Lord; by the "wolf" is signified the evil which is opposite to innocence, and attempts to destroy it; and by the "leopard" is understood the false which is opposed to charity, and, which, by reasonings in favour of faith alone, attempts to destroy charity; by the "lamb is signified innocence, and by the the "kid" charity; "the calf also, and the young lion, and the fatling together", signify that the infernal false shall not hurt the innocence of the natural man, nor any good affection thereof; the "calf" signifying the innocence of the natural man , the "fatling or ox", the affection of the natural man, and the "lion", the infernal false, as to the potency and cupidity of destroying divine Truth; and a "little child shall lead them", signifies the state of innocence and love to the Lord in which they will be; a "little child" or boy signifying innocence, and, at the same time, love to the Lord; for love to the Lord makes one with innocence, inasmuch as they who are in that love are also in innocence, as is the case with those who are in the third heaven, who thence also appear before the eyes of others as infants and children. Apocalypse Explained 780. See also Arcana Coelestia 3021, 9828.

6. And the wolf shall dwell with the lamb; and the leopard shall lie down with the kid; and the calf, and the young lion, and the fatling together; and a little child shall lead them.

Verses 6, 8, 9, 10. - In this passage is described the state of peace and happiness in the heavens. and in the church, after the Lord had come into the world: and since a state of peace and Innocence is described, mention is made of "a lamb, a kid, a calf, and also of a little child, a suckling, and a weaned child", and by them all is signified the good of innocence; - the inmost good of innocence by a "lamb"; the interior good of innocence by a "kid"; and the exterior good of innocence by a "calf."

In like manner by "a child, a suckling, and a weaned child."

The "mountain of holiness" denotes heaven and the church, where the good of innocence prevails.

The "nations" are they who are in that good.

The "Root of Jesse" is the Lord, from whom that good is derived. The good of love from Him to them, which is called celestial good, is the good of innocence.

That a "lamb" denotes the good of innocence in general, and specifically the inmost good of innocence, is manifest from this consideration, that it is named in the first place; also from this, that the Lord Himself is called a "Lamb."

That a "kid" denotes the interior good of innocence, see Arcana Coelestia 3519, 4871;

that a "calf" is the exterior good of innocence, n. 9391;

that a "child" is innocence, n. 5236; in like manner "a suckling or infant, and a weaned child", Arcana Coelestia 3494, 5608;

that the "mountain of holiness" denotes whence the good of love to the Lord is, Arcana Coelestia 6135, 8758;

that "nations" signify [in a good sense] those "who are in that good, Arcana Coelestia 1416, 6005.

That the good of love to the Lord 'which is called celestial good, is the good of innocence, is manifest from those who are in the inmost heaven, who because they are in that good appear naked, and as infants by reason that nakedness, in a good sense, corresponds to innocence, see Arcana Coelestia 9277. Arcana Coelestia 10132.

7. And the cow and the bear shall feed; together shall their young ones lie down: and the lion shall eat straw like the ox.

Verse 7. By the "cow and the bear feeding, and their young lying down together", is signified that the power and lust of the natural man of falsifying the truths of the Word, shall not hurt the good of the natural man and the affection thereof; the "cow" denoting the affection of good and truth appertaining to the natural man, and the "bear", the power and lust of the natural man to falsify the truths of the literal sense of the Word; "the lion shall eat straw like the ox, "signifies that the infernal false, which is ardent to destroy the truths of the church, shall not hurt the affection of good appertaining to the natural man, either with man in himself or with men amongst each other, and that neither shall it hurt the Word:

"straw" signifying the Word in the letter, which is perverted by the infernal also, but caunot be perverted by those who are in truths from good. Apocalypse Explained 781.

8. And the suckling shall play upon the hole of the viper; and upon the den of the basilisk shall the weaned child lay his hand.

Verse 8. This passage cannot be understood unless it be known from the things which appear in the spiritual world what is understood by the "hole of the viper", and the "den of the basilisk."

It was observed above, (Chapter 2:19, the Exposition.) that the entrances to the hills appear as holes in rocks, and as gaps opening to dens such as belong to "wild beasts in the forests; and it is further to be observed, that they who inhabit" those places, when they are viewed in the light of heaven, appear as monsters of various kinds, and also as wild beasts. They who are in the hells inhabited by such as act craftily against innocence appear as "vipers", and they who do the same against the good of love appear as "basilisks", and as a "suckling" or infant signifies the good of innocence, therefore it is said "the suckling shall play upon the hole of the viper", and as a "weaned child", or an infant ceasing to suck, signifies the good of love, therefore it is said that he shall "lay his hand upon the den of the basilisk."

Hence the signification of this passage is, that they who are in the good of innocence and in the good of love to the Lord, shall not be in any fear on account of evils and falsities, which are from hell, because they are protected by the Lord. That by the "suckling and infant", in the Word, is signified the good of innocence, may be seen in Arcana Coelestia 430, 3183; what is signified by "vipers", and other poisonous serpents" may be seen in 9013. Apocalypse Explained 410.

9. They shall not hurt, nor destroy, in all the mountain of My holiness: for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of Jehovah, as the waters cover the sea.

Verse 9. The earth shall be full of the knowledge of Jehovah, as the waters cover the sea. - Inasmuch as it is not yet known that "waters" in the Word signify the truths of faith and the knowledges of Truth, perhaps by reason of its appearing so remote, I am desirous here briefly to show that such things are understood by "waters" in the Word, which also is necessary, because without the knowledge of the signification of "waters", it cannot be known what is signified by baptism, nor what by the washing in the Israelitish church, of which mention is so frequently made. "Waters" signify the truths of faith, because "bread" signifies the good of love. The reason why "waters" and "bread" have such a signification, is, because the things which appertain to spiritual nourishment are expressed, in the sense of the letter, by such things as appertain to natural nourishment; for "waters" and "bread", by which are meant all drink and all food in general, nourish the body and the truths of faith and the good of love, nourish the soul, This is also from correspondence, for when "bread" and "water" are read in the Word, the angels, as being spiritual, understand those things which nourish them, which are the goods of love, and the truths of faith. But some passages shall be here adduced, from whence it may be known that "waters" signify the truths of faith, likewise the knowledges of truth; as in Isaiah:

"Then shall you draw waters with gladness from the fountains of salvation." (Isaiah 12:3)

Again,

"He who walks in justice, and speaks uprightly, bread shall be given him, and faithful waters." (Isaiah 33:15, 16)

Again,

"The poor and the needy seek water, but there is none: their tongue faints for thirst; I will open rivers upon hills, and will place fountains in the midst of valleys, the desert into a lake of waters, and the dry land into springs of waters; that they may see, and know, and attend, and understand." (Isaiah 41:17, 18, 20)

Again,

"I will pour out waters upon the thirsty, and floods upon the dry; I will pour out My spirit upon your seed, and My blessing upon thine offspring." (Isaiah 44:3)

I know that some will wonder why "waters" are mentioned in the Word, and not the truths of faith, when nevertheless the Word is to teach man concerning his spiritual life, and if the truths of faith had been mentioned instead of "waters", man would have known that the "waters" of baptism and of washings do not contribute anything to his purification from evils and falsities, but it is to be observed that the Word, to be divine and at the same time profitable to heaven and the church, must be altogether natural in the letter, for unless it were natural in the letter, it would not be the medium to effect conjunction of heaven with the church; for it would be as a house without a foundation, and as a soul without a body, for the ultimates include all the interiors, and are their foundations, as may be seen above, n. 41; man also is in ultimates, and heaven has its foundation upon the church in him. Hence then it is that such is the style of the Word; wherefore when man thinks spiritually from natural things, "which are in the sense of the letter of the Word, he is conjoined with heaven, with which he would not otherwise be conjoined." Apocalypse Explained 71.

10. And it shall be in that day, that the Root of Jesse shall stand for a standard to the peoples; unto Him shall the nations seek: and His resting-place shall be glorious.

11. And it shall be in that day, that the Lord shall again the second time put forth His hand to recover the remnant of His people that remains, from Assyria, and from Egypt; and from Pathros, and from Cush, and from Eiam; and from Shinar, and from Hamath, and from the islands of the sea.

Verse 10. The Lord, as to the Human, is called the "Root of David" on this account, because all divine Truth is from Him, as all things also exist and subsist from their root; hence also it is, that He is called the "Root of Jesse", where Jesse is put for David, because he was his father. Apocalypse Explained 310.

What a "standard" specifically signifies, see below, Chapter 13:2, the Exposition.

The verses from 1 to 10 describe the state of the regenerate man, who acknowledges the Lord and worships Him alone, showing that he has power over everything evil and false from hell, and that he is in the enjoyment of heavenly peace and happiness. True Christian Religion 354.

Verse 11. The Lord shall recover the remnant of His people from Assyria, Egypt, etc. - The "remnant of Assyria" are those who are not destroyed by reasoning from falsities against the truths of the church. (Arcana Coelestia 5897)

The "remnant from Egypt" are those who, at the period of judgment, are not destroyed by the misapplication for selfish ends of the scientifics of the Word and the Church. (Arcana Coelestia 3322, 4749)

The "remnants from Pathros and from Cush" are such as have not employed the knowledges of what is Good and True to confirm what is evil and false. (Arcana Coelestia 1163)

The "remnant from Elam" are those who have somewhat of faith grounded in charity still remaining. (Arcana Coelestia 1228, 1685)

The "remnant of Shinar " are such as have an external worship in which there is not a profane principle. (Arcana Coelestia 1183, 1292)

The "remnant from Hamath" are those who, although in external idolatries, have nevertheless somewhat of sincerity in their internals. (1205)

The "remnant from the islands of the sea" signify distinct kinds of worship, and such as are comparatively remote from internal worship, or such as pertain to the nations out of the church. Arcana Coelestia 1158.

The "outcasts of Israel whom the Lord shall gather" are those who have remains of spiritual love, or charity to the neighbour; and the "dispersed of Judah" are those who have remains of celestial love, or of love to the Lord. Apocalypse Explained 483.

[These" remnants", at the time of judgment in the world of spirits, can be saved, and after instruction in the truths of the Word, can be raised up into heaven; and of those upon earth who are in similar states to these "remnants" the Lord can form a New Church.]

12. And He shall lift up a standard to the nations; and He shall gather the outcasts of Israel, and the dispersed of Judah shall He collect from the four wings of the earth.

Verses 12, 13, 15, 16. The subject here treated of in the sense of the letter is concerning the bringing back of the Israelites and Jews out of captivity; but in the internal sense it has relation to the New Church in general, and to every individual in particular who is regenerated or becomes a church.

The "outcasts of Israel" denote their truths; the "dispersed of Judah" denote their goods; "Ephraim" denotes their intellectual principle, in that it will no longer be repugnant; "Egypt" denotes scientifics, and "Ashur" reasoning grounded therein, which they have perverted; the "expelled", the "dispersed", the "remains", and the "left" [or residue] denote the truths and goods which survive; that "Ephraim" is the intellectual principle, was shown above; (Chapter vii. Exposition.)

That "Egypt" is the scientific, may be seen in Arcana Coelestia 1164, 1165; that "Ashur" is reasoning, may be seen, Arcana Coelestia 119, 1180, also above, (Chapter 7:18, 19) and that "remains" are goods and truths from the Lord stored up in the interior man, see Arcana Coelestia 468, 530. Arcana Coelestia 3564. See also above, Chapter 1:9, the Exposition.

Verses 12, 14. He shall gather the outcasts of Israel and the dispersed of Judah; - they shall fly upon the shoulder of the Philistines towards the sea, etc. - By "Israel" and by "Judah " are not meant Israel and Judah, but by "Israel" those who are in the good of faith, and by "Judah" those who are in the good of love. To "fly upon the shoulder of the Philistines" signifies to receive and to take into possession the interior truths of faith. To "spoil the soils of the east", is to receive and to take into possession the interior goods of faith: for the "sons of the east" are those who are the goods of faith and in the knowledges of good. (See Arcana Coelestia 3249, 3762)

That to "spoil" denotes to receive and to take into possession, see what was shown concerning" the spoiling of the Egyptians by the sons of Israel", in Arcana Coelestia 6914, 0917. Inasmuch as by the "land of Philistia" was signified [in a good sense] the science of the interior truths of faith, and by "Abraham " and "Isaac" was represented the Lord, and by their "sojourning", the instruction of the Lord in the truths and goods of faith and love, which are of divine Wisdom, therefore for the sake of that figure Abraham was ordered to "sojourn in Philistia"; (see Genesis 20:1, to the end.) and also Isaac; (Genesis 24:26, to the end.) on which subject see the explanations of those chapters. Arcana Coelestia 9340.

13. And the envy of Ephraim shall depart, and the adversaries of Judah shall be cut off: Ephraim shall not envy Judah, and Judah shall not distress Ephraim.

Verses 13-16. The envy of Ephraim shall depart, and the adversaries of Judah shall be cut off: Ephraim shall not envy Judah, and Judah shall not distress Ephraim, etc. And there shall be a highway for the remnant of His people, which shall be left, from Assyria; as it was unto Israel, in the day of his coming up from the land of Egypt. In this passage it is impossible to see anything divine, unless it be known what is signified by each particular name, notwithstanding that the subject here treated of is concerning the coming of the Lord, and what shall come to pass at that time, as plainly appears from verses 1 to 10; without the help, therefore, of the spiritual sense, how is it possible for anyone to discern the genuine signification of these words in their order, as denoting that they who through ignorance are principled in falsities and do not suffer themselves to be seduced by evils, will come to the Lord, and that the Word will then be understood by the church, and that falsities will then be no longer hurtful to them. Sacred Scripture 15.

These things are said concerning the salvation of the nations, which are also signified by the "outcasts of Israel and the dispersed of Judah"; for it is said that the Lord "will set up a standard to the nations." By the "outcasts of Israel" are understood those who are not in truths, but in the desire of learning them: by the "dispersed of Judah", those who are in the good of life, find therefore in love to the Lord. For they who love to do good, love the Lord, for the Lord is in that good, because it is from Him.

By "Ephraim" is here understood the intellectual principle, or the understanding in concord with the good of love. That the one is not discordant with the other is understood by the "envy of Ephraim. shall depart", and by "Ephraim not envying Judah", and by "Judah not distressing Ephraim." That they will be separated from those who separate faith from charity is signified by their "flying upon the shoulder of the Philistines [who dwell] towards the sea." The "Philistines towards the sea" are those who separate faith from charity, or from the good of life. The sea is the ultimate where heaven terminates, and to "fly on the shoulder" is to reject, and thus to separate them from themselves. Apocalypse Explained 433.

14. But they shall fly upon the shoulder of the Philistines towards the sea; together shall they spoil he sons of the east: on Edom and Moab they shall lay their hand; and the sons of Ammon shall obey them.

Verse 14. On Edom and Moab they shall lay their hand; and the sons of Ammon shall obey them. - "Edom" and also "Esau" signify, in a bad sense, those who from the evil of self-love despise and reject truths. Arcana Coelestia 3322. "Moab" denotes those who adulterate goods; "the sons of Ammon "those who falsify truths. Arcana Coelestia 2468.

[By these nations obeying those gathered as remnants by the Lord (in verses 11 and 12), is meant that the evils and falsities signified, in a bad sense, by "Edom, Moab, and Ammon", will be subject to them, and thus subdued. For the enemies of the church, and, consequently, of the regenerate states of its members, are chiefly those 1, who despise and reject its truths (Edom); 2, those who adulterate its goods (Moab); and 3, those who falsify its truths (Ammon). Because the evils and falsities which principally devastate a church may be brought under these three general heads.]

15. And Jehovah shall utterly destroy the tongue of the Egyptian sea; and He shall shake His hand over the river with His mighty wind: and He shall strike it into seven streams, and make them pass over it in shoes.

16. And there shall be a highway for the remnant of His people, which shall be left, from Assyria; as it was unto Israel, in the day of his coming up from the land of Egypt.

Verses 15, 16. Jehovah shall utterly destroy the tongue of the Egyptian· sea, etc. - By these words is signified that all falsities and false reasonings will be dissipated before those who are, from the Lord, in truths from good, and that they will pass, as it were, through the midst of such falsities in safety. Thus it happens in the spiritual world to those who are protected by the Lord. A similar thing is here understood as by the drying up of the Red Sea [SuphJ before the sons of Israel. They who, under the Lord's protection, will thus pass over are understood by the "remnant of the people that shall be left from Assyria"; for by the "left from Assyria", those are understood who have not perished by reasonings from falsities. Apocalypse Explained 509.

[That by "tongue", in a bad sense, and especially by " the tongue of the Egyptian sea", when opposed to those who are in truths from the Lord, is signified false doctrine, and, in general, falsities of every kind arising from the perverse application by reasonings of scientifics and knowledges signified by "Egypt"; see above, Chapter 3:8, 11, the Exposition.] .

[To "strike the river into seven streams", denotes utter dissipation of the falsities thereby signified; for "seven" signifies what is full and entire, (Arcana Coelestia 10127) "With a mighty wind", signifies a medium of destruction; see Arcana Coelestia 7679.]

And make them pass over it in shoes. - "Shoes" denote the ultimate or the last sensual and corporeal principle of man; in respect to the regenerate [as in this case], that principle renewed and regenerated. The internal of the natural principle or degree, is signified by the "feet", the middle by the "soles", and the lowest or ultimate by the "shoes." Hence it "was a custom to take the shoes from off the feet. when the Lord in holy worship was approached, (Exodus 3:5; Joshua 5:15) to signify that the Lord and the things of His Word and kingdom should not be thought of from merely sensual and corporeal ideas, but that the mind in acts of worship and in meditation on heavenly subjects, should rise above what is sensual and corporeal, By the "shoes" which were put on the feet of the prodigal son, after his return to his father's house, is signified the conjunction of Truth and Good in the external or natural man, thus a renewed or regenerated natural principle, by which a man is enabled, from the Lord, to "trample upon serpents and scorpions", (Luke 10:19) or to pass over evils and falsities unhurt. Arcana Coelestia 1748, 6844, 7864. See also Apocalypse Explained 219.

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Isaiah Chapter 11

1. AND there shall come forth a Shoot from the trunk of Jesse; and a Sprout from his roots shall become fruitful:

2. And the Spirit of Jehovah shall rest upon Him; the spirit of wisdom and understanding; the spirit of counsel and might; the spirit of knowledge and the fear of Jehovah;

3. And His offering of incense shall be in the fear of Jehovah: He shall not judge according to the sight of His eyes; nor shall He reprove according to the hearing of His ears:

4. But with justice shall He judge the poor, and with equity shall He plead for the miserable of the earth: and He shall smite the earth with the rod of His mouth, and with the breath of His lips shall He slay the wicked.

5. And justice shall be the girdle of His loins, and truth the girdle of His reins.

6. And the wolf shall dwell with the lamb; and the leopard shall lie down with the kid; and the calf, and the young lion, and the fatling together; and a little child shall lead them.

7. And the cow and the bear shall feed; together shall their young ones lie down: and the lion shall eat straw like the ox.

8. And the suckling shall play upon the hole of the viper; and upon the den of the basilisk shall the weaned child lay his hand.

9. They shall not hurt, nor destroy, in all the mountain of My holiness: for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of Jehovah, as the waters cover the sea.

10. And it shall be in that day, that the Root of Jesse shall stand for a standard to the peoples; unto Him shall the nations seek: and His resting-place shall be glorious.

11. And it shall be in that day, that the Lord shall again the second time put forth His hand to recover the remnant of His people that remains, from Assyria, and from Egypt; and from Pathros, and from Cush, and from Eiam; and from Shinar, and from Hamath, and from the islands of the sea.

12. And He shall lift up a standard to the nations; and He shall gather the outcasts of Israel, and the dispersed of Judah shall He collect from the four wings of the earth.

13. And the envy of Ephraim shall depart, and the adversaries of Judah shall be cut off: Ephraim shall not envy Judah, and Judah shall not distress Ephraim.

14. But they shall fly upon the shoulder of the Philistines towards the sea; together shall they spoil he sons of the east: on Edom and Moab they shall lay their hand; and the sons of Ammon shall obey them.

15. And Jehovah shall utterly destroy the tongue of the Egyptian sea; and He shall shake His hand over the river with His mighty wind: and He shall strike it into seven streams, and make them pass over it in shoes.

16. And there shall be a highway for the remnant of His people, which shall be left, from Assyria; as it was unto Israel, in the day of his coming up from the land of Egypt.

324. And golden bowls full of incense, signifies confession from spiritual goods. This is evident from the signification of "golden bowls," which are also called "censers," and "incense pans," as being truths from good; for "bowls," like all containing vessels, signify truths, and "gold," of which they were made, signifies good, therefore "golden bowls" are truths from good. (That "vessels" signify truths, because truths serve good as recipient and containing vessels, see Arcana Coelestia 3068, 3079, 3316, 3318; also "the vessels of the altars," "of burnt offering," and "of incense," n. 9723, 9724; and that "gold" signifies good, above, n. 242 It is evident also from the signification of "incense," as being those things of worship that are done from spiritual good, or from the good of charity, and are therefore gratefully perceived. Such things are signified by "incense," because all things that are instituted in the Israelitish nation were representative of celestial and spiritual things; so also were the things relating to odor; things of pleasant odor represented pleasant perception, but those of unpleasant odor unpleasant perception. On this account incense was made of fragrant spices, myrrh, onycha, galbanum, and frankincense. Moreover, there is a correspondence between odor and perception, as can be seen from this, that in the spiritual world, where all things perceived by the senses correspond, the perceptive of good and truth is made sensible as fragrance from pleasant odors, and vice versa (respecting this see what is shown from experience, Arcana Coelestia 1514, 1517-1519, 1631, 4626, 4628, 4630, 4631, 5711-5717). From this it is that also in the common language of men, to smell means to perceive; for such expressions, like many others, have come into human discourse from correspondence; for the spirit of man is actually in the spiritual world, although man is not conscious of it. Moreover, the faculty of perception that man has, is what produces in his body the sense of smell, and this too from correspondence. But this is an arcanum that can with difficulty be credited, because it has been hitherto unknown. It is to be noted that this sweet smell or fragrance is produced by the good of love and charity, but by means of truth, not by good itself without truth, still less by means of the truth that is called truth of faith without good; for good without truth has nothing perceptive, neither has truth without good.

[2] "Incense" signifies those things of worship that are done from spiritual good, because spiritual good has its origin and existence from celestial good, which good is the good of love to the Lord from the Lord, and is therefore the very good of heaven, for that good is immediately from the Lord, and the Lord is with angels in that good as in what is His. This is even so far true that whether you say that the Lord is in them and they in the Lord, or that the Lord is with them in that good and they are in the Lord when in that good, it is the same. Spiritual good, which has its origin and existence from celestial good, is the good of charity towards the neighbor; worship from this good is what is signified by "incense." As all worship of the Lord comes from good, although through truths, and as there are two universal goods that make the heavens and distinguish them into two kingdoms, namely, celestial good, which is the good of love to the Lord, and spiritual good, which is the good of charity towards the neighbor, therefore with the sons of Israel there were two altars, one for burnt offerings, the other for incense-offerings; the altar of burnt offering signifying worship from the good of celestial love, and the altar of incense worship from the good of spiritual love; thence it is clear what was represented by "incense."

[3] That this is so can be seen from passages in the Word where the two are mentioned. As in Moses:

Thou shalt make an altar to burn incense upon; and thou shalt overlay it with pure gold, and thou shalt put it before the veil that is over the ark of the Testimony, before the mercy-seat. And Aaron shall burn thereon incense of spices every morning, when dressing the lamps he shall burn it, and in making the lamps to ascend between the evenings he shall burn it, a perpetual incense before Jehovah in your generations. Ye shall make no strange incense to ascend thereon, nor burnt-sacrifice, nor meal-offering, nor drink-offering (Exodus 30:1-10).

That this "altar," and the "burning incense" upon it, signified worship from spiritual good, is evident from its having been placed in the tent of meeting without the veil, where also were the lamps; and the tent signified the Lord's spiritual kingdom; while that part of the tent that was within the veil signified the Lord's celestial kingdom, as can be seen from what is shown in Arcana Coelestia 9457, 9481, 9485) respecting the tent, in which was the table for the bread of faces, and in which was the altar of incense and the lampstand, also respecting the ark, in which was the Testimony, and upon which was the mercy-seat (n. 9457, 9481, 9485, 10545). It is there shown that the things that were in the tent without the veil, namely, the lamp stand, the altar of incense, and the table for the bread, signified such things as are of the spiritual kingdom, all of which have reference to spiritual good and its truth. The "table, upon which was the bread of faces," signified the reception of celestial good in spiritual good (See n. 9527); the "lampstand" with the "lamps" signified the spiritual itself of that kingdom (n. 9548, 9551, 9556, 9561, 9572, 9783); the "altar of incense" signified worship from spiritual good; and because worship from spiritual good was signified by burning incense upon that altar, and the spiritual itself by the "lampstand," it was commanded that Aaron should burn incense upon it every morning and evening, when he dressed the lamps. (But these things are more fully explained in Arcana Coelestia 10176-10213, where these particulars are treated of.)

[4] And because spiritual good has its origin and existence from celestial good (as was said above), not only was that altar placed near the veil that was over the ark, but it was also commanded that when Aaron should make atonement for himself and for his house, he should bring the incense within the veil, which signified the influx, communication, and conjunction of celestial good and spiritual good. Of this it is written in Moses:

When Aaron shall make an atonement for himself and for his house he shall kill the bullock of the sin-offering; and he shall take a censer full of burning coals of fire from off the altar before Jehovah, and his hands full of the incense of spices, and he shall bring it within the veil, that he may put the incense upon the fire before Jehovah; and the cloud of the incense shall cover the mercy-seat that is upon the Testimony, that he die not (Leviticus 16:11-13).

That "he should take fire from off the altar of burnt-offering," and "should put incense upon the fire," signified that spiritual good, which is the good of charity, has existence and proceeds from celestial good, which is the good of love to the Lord (that the "fire of the altar" signified that good, see Arcana Coelestia 4489, 6314, 6832, 9714, and elsewhere). This is why the fire for burning incense was not taken from anywhere else than from the altar of burnt-offering. When Aaron made atonement for himself and his house he was to burn the incense within the veil because Aaron as chief priest represented the Lord in respect to the good of love, and by his functions he represented the things that proceed from that good, all of which relate to spiritual good; spiritual good, unless it is from celestial good, is not good; except for this Aaron's function could not have been from the Divine, or could not have represented anything of the Divine; and this is why Aaron was threatened with death unless he did as he was commanded.

[5] For the same reason also Nadab and Abihu, the sons of Aaron, were consumed by fire from heaven because they burnt incense from other fire than the fire of the altar of burnt-offering, which is offering worship from a love other than love to the Lord; respecting which it is thus written in Moses:

Nadab and Abihu, sons of Aaron, took each of them his censer and put strange fire therein, and laid incense thereon. Therefore fire went out from before Jehovah and devoured them, and they died, afterwards they were carried without the camp (Leviticus 10:1-5).

"They were carried without the camp" signified that their worship was not from heaven, because not from love to the Lord; for "the camp of the sons of Israel" represented heaven and the (See Arcana Coelestia 4236, 10038).

[6] Korah, Dathan, and Abiram, with their company, were swallowed up by the earth, although they took fire from the altar and burnt incense, because "their murmuring against Moses and Aaron" signified the profanation of the good of celestial love; for "Moses" and "Aaron" represented the Lord and "to murmur" (that is, to rebel) against the Lord and at the same time to perform holy offices, is profanation; but as they took the fire from the altar, that fire was cast out, and their censers were made into a covering for the altar; respecting which it is thus written in Moses:

Moses said to them that they should take fire and put it into their censers which was also done; but they were swallowed up (Numbers 16).

But afterwards it was commanded:

That they should gather up the censers, and scatter the fire hitherwards; and of the censers, which were of brass, they should make broad plates, a covering to the altar, because they had been sanctified (Numbers 16:37-38).

The censers had been sanctified by the "fire of the altar," which signified Divine celestial love.

[7] Because spiritual good, which is the good of charity towards the neighbor, derives its essence and soul from celestial good, which is the good of love to the Lord, therefore also "frankincense," which signifies spiritual good, was put upon the "bread of faces," which signified celestial good; as can be seen from these words in Moses:

And frankincense shall be put upon the bread of faces which is upon the table in the tent of meeting, that the bread may be for a memorial (Leviticus 24:7).

"That the bread may be for a memorial" signifies that the Lord may receive and give heed; for all worship of the Lord which is truly worship comes from celestial good through spiritual good; for spiritual good, which is charity towards the neighbor, is an effect of celestial good, for charity towards the neighbor is the performance of uses, and living a moral life from a heavenly origin (respecting which see Heaven and Hell 390, 484, 529, 530-535; and The Doctrine of the New Jerusalem 84-107), this, therefore, is spiritual good; while celestial good is looking to the Lord and acknowledging that every good and truth is from Him, and that from man, or from what is man's own, there is nothing but evil.

[8] That the incense was to be burned from no other fire than the fire of the altar of burnt-offering, which signified celestial good, which is the good of love to the Lord, is also evident from other passages, as in Moses:

When the congregation murmured against Moses and Aaron, and were attacked by the plague, then Aaron took fire from the altar, and put it in a censer, and placed incense on it, and he ran into the midst of them; and the plague was stayed (Numbers 16:41, 46-48, and also in Revelation 8:3-5).

[9] That "incense" and "frankincense" signify spiritual good, and "burning incense" worship acceptable because of that good, and therefore hearing and reception by the Lord, can be seen from the following.

In Isaiah:

A troop of camels shall cover thee, the dromedaries of Midian and of Ephah; all they from Sheba shall come; they shall bring gold and frankincense; and they shall proclaim the praises of Jehovah (Isaiah 60:6).

Here the Lord's coming is treated of; the "troop of camels" and the "dromedaries of Midian and Ephah" signify the knowledges of truth and good in abundance; "all they from Sheba shall come" signifies from the knowledges of genuine truth and good (that "Sheba" signified such knowledges, see Arcana Coelestia 1171, 3240); "gold and frankincense," which they shall bring, signify worship from spiritual good that is from celestial good; "gold" signifying celestial good, and "frankincense" spiritual good. Because worship from these is signified it is said, "and they shall proclaim the praises of Jehovah;" "proclaiming the praises of Jehovah" signifying the proclamation of good tidings respecting the Lord, and worship of Him.

[10] In Matthew:

The wise men from the east opened their treasures, and offered gifts to the newborn Lord, gold, frankincense, and myrrh (Matthew 2:11).

"The wise men from the east" also signified those who are in the knowledges of truth and good; the worship of such from celestial good, spiritual good, and natural good is signified by "they offered gold, frankincense, and myrrh;" for "gold" signifies celestial good, "frankincense" spiritual good, and "myrrh" natural good. That these had such a signification was still known to many in the east, therefore they were also called "sons of the east," by whom in the Word those who are in the knowledges of truth and good are meant (See Arcana Coelestia 3249, 3762), for the knowledge of correspondences had remained among them; therefore that they might testify their joy of heart they offered such things as signified every good from first to last; and this is what was predicted in Isaiah, that they "were to come from Sheba, and bring gold and frankincense, and proclaim the praises of Jehovah" (of which just above).

[11] In Malachi:

From the rising of the sun even unto its going down My name shall be great among the nations; and in every place incense shall be offered unto My name, and a clean meal offering (Malachi 1:11).

"From the rising of the sun even unto its going down My name shall be great among the nations" signifies that the church and worship of the Lord shall be everywhere with those who are in good; "from the rising of the sun to its going down" signifying every place where there is good; "My name shall be great" signifying the acknowledgment and worship of the Lord; and "nations" signifying those who are in good; "incense shall be offered unto My name, and a clean meal offering" signifies the worship of the Lord from spiritual good, which is the good of charity towards the neighbor, and from celestial good, which is the good of love to the Lord; worship from spiritual good is signified by "incense offering," and from celestial good by "meal offering." (That a "meal offering" signifies that good, see Arcana Coelestia 4581, 10079, 10137)

[12] "Incense" and "meal-offering" have a like signification in David:

Give ear unto my voice when I call unto Thee. Let my prayers be accepted as incense before Thee; the lifting up of my hands as the evening meal-offering (Psalms 141:1, 2).

And in Isaiah:

Thou hast brought to Me the small cattle of thy burnt-offerings, and thou hast not honored Me with thy sacrifices. I have not made thee to serve by a meal-offering, nor wearied thee by frankincense (Isaiah 43:23).

As all worship of the Lord comes from spiritual good that is from celestial good, therefore the two, "meal-offering" and "frankincense" are mentioned separately in the letter, yet in the internal or spiritual sense they are to be understood conjointly, but the one from the other.

[13] So in Jeremiah:

They shall come from the cities of Judah, and from the circuits of Jerusalem, bringing burnt-offering and sacrifice, and meal-offering and frankincense (Jeremiah 17:26).

Here "Judah" and "Jerusalem" do not mean Judah and Jerusalem, but the Lord's church, which is in the good of love and in the doctrine of charity therefrom; worship from these is signified by "burnt-offering and sacrifice," also by "meal-offering and frankincense."

[14] Because "meal-offering" signified the good of celestial love, and "frankincense" the good of spiritual love, upon the meal-offering of fine flour were put oil and frankincense, as appears in Moses:

When a soul would offer the offering of a meal-offering unto Jehovah, fine flour shall be his offering, upon which he shall pour oil, and shall put upon it frankincense; and the priest shall take out of it his handful of the fine flour and of the oil thereof, with all the frankincense thereof, and he shall burn it for a memorial upon the altar (Leviticus 2:1-2).

This meal-offering was instituted because "fine flour" signifies genuine truth (See Arcana Coelestia 9995); and since this truth is from good, namely, from celestial good, and from consequent spiritual good, "oil and frankincense" were put upon it; "oil" signifying the good of celestial love, and "frankincense" the good of spiritual love; in the internal sense, the one from the other. There were also other kinds of meal-offerings that were prepared with oil that had a like signification.

[15] In Ezekiel:

Thou hast taken the garments of thy embroidery, and hast covered the images of the male, with which thou didst commit whoredom; and didst set My oil and My incense before them (Ezekiel 16:18-19).

This is said of Jerusalem, which signifies the church in respect to doctrine, here doctrine altogether perverted. The "images of the male," which "she covered with the garments of her embroidery, and with which she committed whoredom," signify the falsities that they made, by perverse interpretations, to appear as truths, thus they signify falsified truths, "garments of embroidery" meaning the knowledges of truth from the Word, and "to commit whoredom" meaning to falsify; to set My oil and My incense before them" signifies to adulterate both the good of celestial love and the good of spiritual love; and these are adulterated when the Word is applied to the loves of self and of the world.

[16] In Moses:

They shall teach Jacob Thy judgments, and Israel Thy law; they shall put incense in Thy nostrils, and a burnt-offering upon Thine altar (Deuteronomy 33:10).

This is the prophecy of Moses respecting Levi, by whom the priesthood is signified, and because the priesthood was representative of the Lord in respect to the good of love, both celestial and spiritual, therefore it is said, "they shall put incense in Thy nostrils, and a burnt-offering upon Thine altar;" "incense" signifying worship from spiritual good, and "burnt offering upon the altar" worship from celestial good; "in the nostrils" signifying to the perception.

[17] In David:

I will go into Thy house with burnt-offerings; I will pay my vows unto Thee. I will offer unto Thee burnt-offerings of fatlings, rams with incense (Psalms 66:13, 15).

"To offer burnt-offerings of fatlings" signifies worship from the good of celestial love; "to offer rams with incense" signifies worship from the good of spiritual love; "incense" and "ram" signifying that good.

[18] In Revelation:

Another angel came and stood at the altar, having a golden censer; and there was given unto him much incense, that he might offer it with the prayers of all the saints upon the golden altar that was before the throne. And the smoke of the incense, with the prayers of the saints, went up out of the angel's hand before God. Afterwards the angel took the censer and filled it with the fire of the altar and cast it into the earth (Revelation 8:3-5).

What this means will be told in the explanation of these words in what follows; here it need merely be said that "incense" signifies worship from spiritual good, which is the good of charity toward the neighbor. Such worship is signified also by "the prayers of the saints;" it is therefore said "that there was given unto him much incense, that he might offer it with prayers of the saints;" and then that "the smoke of the incense, with the prayers of the saints, went up before God." That the "prayers of the saints" signify worship from spiritual good will be seen in the next paragraph, so also what is meant by worship from spiritual good, or from the good of charity.

[19] In Isaiah:

A people that provoke Me to anger continually before My faces; that sacrifice in gardens, and burn incense upon bricks (Isaiah 65:3).

Here "sacrificing" and "burning incense" have the contrary signification, namely, worship from the falsities of doctrine that are from self-intelligence; "gardens" signify intelligence, here self-intelligence, and "bricks" falsities therefrom; "to sacrifice" and "to burn incense" signify worship. (That the ancients held Divine worship in gardens and groves in accordance with the significations of the trees therein, but that this was forbidden among the Israelitish nation, lest they should frame to themselves a worship from the selfhood [ex proprio], see n. 2722, 4552)

[20] In Hosea:

They sacrifice upon the tops of the mountains, and burn incense upon the hills, under the oak, and the poplar, and the terebinth, because the shadow thereof is good, therefore your daughters commit whoredom, and your daughters-in-law commit adultery Hosea 4:13).

This describes worship from the love of self and from the love of the world, and from the falsities of doctrine therefrom; worship from the love of self is meant by "sacrificing upon the tops of the mountains;" worship from the love of the world, by "burning incense upon the hills;" and worship from the falsities of doctrine, by "sacrificing and burning incense under the oak, the poplar, and the terebinth;" the "top of the mountains" signifying celestial love, here the love of self; "hills" spiritual love, here, the love of the world; for the love of self is the contrary of celestial love, and the love of the world is the contrary of spiritual love; "the oak, the poplar, and the terebinth," signify the lowest goods of truth and truths of good of the natural man, here the evils of falsity and the falsities of its evil; "because the shadow thereof is good" signifies complacence; the falsifications of spiritual good therefrom are signified by "therefore your daughters commit whoredom," and the adulteration of celestial good by "your daughters-in-law commit adultery."

[21] In Jeremiah:

[According to] the number of thy cities were thy gods, O Judah; and according to the number [of the streets] of Jerusalem have ye set up altars, altars to burn incense unto Baal (Jeremiah 11:13, 17).

"Cities" here do not mean cities, nor "gods" gods, nor the "streets of Jerusalem" streets there; but "cities" signify the doctrinals of falsity; "gods" the falsities themselves; and the streets of Jerusalem the falsities of the doctrine of the church. "To set up altars, altars to burn incense unto Baal," signifies worship from the love of self and from the love of the world (as above). This nation did set up altars and burn incense to Baal; but as all things of their worship were representative, the things that were done according to the statutes were representative of things celestial and spiritual; consequently the things that were done contrary to the statutes were representative of things infernal; therefore by "altars set up to the gods," and by "incense offered to Baal," these contrary things are signified.

[22] In the same:

I will speak with them judgments upon all their evil, in that they have forsaken Me and have burned incense to other gods, and have bowed themselves down to the works of their own hands (Jeremiah 1:16).

"To burn incense to other gods," and "to bow themselves down to the works of their own hands," signifies worship from the falsities that are from self-intelligence; "other gods" meaning falsities, and the "works of their own hands" what is from self-intelligence.

[23] The like is signified by:

Burning incense to gods (Jeremiah 11:12; 44:3, 5, 8, 15, 18);

Likewise burning incense to graven images (Hosea 11:2);

And burning incense to vanity (Jeremiah 18:15);

The like as above is signified by burning incense to Baal (Jeremiah 7:9; Hosea 2:13);

Likewise by burning incense to Melecheth, or the queen of the heavens (Jeremiah 44:17-19, 21, 25).

"Melecheth of the heavens" signifies falsities in the whole complex.

[24] Moreover, "burning incense" signifies those things of worship that are perceived as grateful, and "incense" signifies spiritual good, because all things that were instituted in the Israelitish nation were representative of things celestial and spiritual; for the church with them was not as the church at this day, which is internal, but it was external; and the externals represented and thus signified the internal things of the church, such as were disclosed by the Lord in the Word of the New Testament; for this reason their church was called a representative church. The externals of that church consisted of such things in the world of nature as corresponded to the affections of good and truth in the spiritual world; consequently when those who were of that church were in externals in respect to worship, those who were in the spiritual world, that is, in heaven, were in the internals, and conjoined themselves with those who were in externals; it was in this way that heaven at that time made one with the men on the earth.

[25] From this it can be seen why there was a table for the bread in the tent of meeting, and why there was a lampstand with lamps, and an altar for incense. For "bread" represented and thence signified the good of love proceeding from the Lord, or celestial good; the "lampstand with lamps" represented and thence signified spiritual good and truth; and "incense" represented and thence signified worship; and because all Divine worship that is perceived as grateful is from spiritual good, therefore that good was signified by "incense." In order that this gratification might be represented the incense was made from fragrant spices, and this also from correspondence; for fragrant odors correspond to the pleasantnesses and delights that are in the thoughts and perceptions from the joy of spiritual love. For this reason incense corresponded to such things as are received as grateful by the Lord and perceived as grateful by angels. This gratification is solely from spiritual good, or from the good of charity towards the neighbor; for this good is celestial good, which is the good of love to the Lord in effect; for celestial good, which is the good of love to the Lord, is brought into effect solely through spiritual good, which is the good of charity toward the neighbor; consequently to be in this good and to exercise it is to love and worship the Lord. (What charity toward the neighbor is, and what it is to exercise it, see in The Doctrine of the New Jerusalem 84-107.)

[26] As the "oil" by which anointings were made signified celestial good or the good of love to the Lord, and "incense" signified spiritual good, or the good of charity towards the neighbor, and as the latter is from the former (as was said above), therefore in Exodus (chapter 30) the preparation of the anointing oil is first treated of, and immediately afterwards the preparation of the incense; the preparation of the anointing oil from verse 23 to 33, and the preparation of the incense from verse 34 to 38. And as the incense-offering is here treated of I will quote what is there commanded regarding the preparation of incense, namely:

Take unto thee fragrant spices, stacte, onycha, and galbanum; fragrant spices and pure frankincense, like quantity with like quantity shall it be. And thou shalt make it an incense, a perfume the work of the perfumer, salted, pure, holy; and thou shalt beat some of it very small, and put of it before the Testimony of the Tent of meeting, where I will meet thee; it shall be unto you the holy of holies. And the incense that thou makest ye shall not make in its quality for yourselves; it shall be unto thee holy to Jehovah. The man who shall make like unto it to smell thereof shall be cut off from his peoples (Exodus 30:34-38).

(But what these particulars signify, see Arcana Coelestia 10289-10310, where they are explained consecutively.) Here it may be said merely that frankincense was the primary ingredient, and the other three were added for the sake of their odor; therefore it is said of the frankincense, that "a like quantity with a like quantity it shall be," or as much of one as of the other; in like manner as with the anointing oil, in which the oil of the olive was the primary ingredient, and the other things in it were significative (Exodus 30:23-33). From this it is clear why frankincense has the same signification as incense when compounded, namely spiritual good.

[27] As the fragrances pertaining to odor correspond to spiritual pleasantnesses, or to the pleasantnesses arising from spiritual good, so also what is received by the Lord as most grateful is called an:

Odor of rest (Exodus 29:18, 25, 41; Leviticus 1:9, 13, 17; 2:2, 9, 12; 3:5; 4:31; 6:15, 21; 8:28; 23:8, 13, 18; Numbers 15:3; 28:6, 8, 13; 29:2, 6, 8, 13, 36).

In Ezekiel:

By the odor of rest I will be pleased with you (Ezekiel 20:41).

In Moses:

If ye will not walk in My precepts, but will go contrary to Me, I will not smell the odor of your rest (Leviticus 26:27, 31).

And in Hosea:

His branches shall spread, and he shall be as the honor of the olive, and his odor as that of Lebanon (Hosea 14:6).

This is said of Israel; "the honor of the olive" signifies celestial good, and "the odor of Lebanon" spiritual good, from its gratefulness. (That "honor" is predicated of celestial good, see above, n. 288; that the "olive" also signifies that good, see Arcana Coelestia 9277, 10261; that "odor" signifies what is perceived as grateful according to the quality of love and faith, n. 1514-1519, 3577, 4624-4634, 4748, 5621, 10292; that the "odor of rest" signifies the perceptive of peace, n. 925, 10054; what this is see in the work on Heaven and Hell 284-290.)