453. Which no man could number.- That this signifies that the quality and measure of good and truth with them are known to the Lord alone, is evident from the signification of number, which denotes the quality of a thing; and of numbering, which denotes to know the quality of a thing, in the present case, the quality of good and truth with those who are now treated of. That it also signifies that the Lord alone knows this, is meant by no man being able to number them. For no man, or angel, knows what the quality of good and truth is with another, in their entire series and connexion, but merely something of it appearing in externals; and yet every quality is of infinite extension, for it is united and associated with innumerable things which lie interiorly concealed, which exist exteriorly, and are extended on all sides. None sees these things but the Lord alone. And therefore the Lord alone arranges and disposes all according to their quality, for He sees the nature and quality of every one, and what will happen to him to eternity, because the Lord's sight, which is called Omniscience, foresight, and providence, is eternal. For this reason no one knows the quality of good and truth with another, but the Lord alone. It appears to be a strange thing that to know the quality of good and truth is signified by numbering, for he who reads these words, remaining merely in the sense of the letter, cannot see any other meaning in them than that the multitude was so great that it could not be numbered; when nevertheless number, in the spiritual sense, signifies quality, and therefore numbering signifies to know the quality, and to arrange and dispose in agreement with it.

[2] On account of this signification of numbering punishment was inflicted, because David numbered the people, concerning which it is thus written in the second book of Samuel:

"The anger of Jehovah was kindled against Israel, therefore he moved David against them to say, Go, number Israel and Judah. And the king said to Joab, Go now through all the tribes of Israel, from Dan even to Beer-sheba, and number ye the people, that I may know the number of the people." Joab dissuaded him, but the word of the king prevailed. "And David's heart smote him after he had numbered the people; and David said, I have sinned greatly in what I have done; and now I beseech thee, O Jehovah, take away the iniquity of thy servant; for I have done very foolishly." Wherefore the prophet Gad was sent to David, offering him three punishments, of which he chose the pestilence, and of this seventy thousand men died" (2 Samuel 25:1 to end).

Who cannot see that no sin is committed in numbering a people, but that the sin was so great that a choice of one of three punishments was given to David, and he chose the pestilence of which seventy thousand men died? The reason of this was, that Israel and Judah represented, and thence signified, the kingdom of the Lord in the heavens and in the world, and numbering signified to know their quality, and to arrange and dispose accordingly, and this belongs to the Lord alone. It is therefore evident that to number, in the Word, has such a signification.

[3] Similarly in Moses:

"When thou takest the sum of the sons of Israel according to those that are numbered, then shall they give every man a ransom for his soul unto Jehovah, in numbering them; that there be no plague among them in numbering them" (Exodus 30:12).

Numbering here also signifies to know their quality, or the quality of the church with them, and to arrange and dispose according to it; and because this belongs to the Lord alone, it is therefore said, "Every man shall give a ransom for his soul unto Jehovah, in numbering them; that there be no plague among them in numbering them." This passage is more fully explained in the Arcana Coelestia 10216-10232).

[4] In Daniel:

Because Belshazzar drank wine out of the vessels of gold and silver which were brought from the temple at Jerusalem, a hand went forth and wrote on the wall, "Thou art numbered, thou art weighed and art divided, God hath numbered thy kingdom and finished it" (5:2, 5, 25, 26).

In this passage, by being numbered is signified to be seen and explored in regard to the quality of good and truth; and he hath numbered the kingdom signifies to be arranged and disposed. What is signified by the rest may be seen above (n. 373:3).

Again, in Isaiah:

"By the cutting off my days, I shall go to the gates of hell (the grave) ¹ ; I am numbered, the residue of my years" (38:10).

These are the words of Hezekiah the king, when he was sick, and by being numbered is signified, explored and concluded.

[5] That to number, and to be numbered, have a different signification in the spiritual sense of the Word from that which appears in the letter or in its natural sense, is also evident from this fact, that with the angels in heaven, numbers and measures have no place in their spiritual ideas, that is to say they do not think from number or measurement, but from the quality of a thing, and such thought falls into numbers and measures when it descends thence into the natural sphere. And yet the Word is written equally for angels as for men, wherefore angels by numbers and by numbering, in the Word, perceive the quality of the thing treated of, while men understand numbers and numbering. This is still further evident from this fact, that every number in the Word signifies something connected with a thing or state. Concerning this see above (n. 203, 336, 429, 430).

[6] Since in some places in the Word the expression "to number" is used, which signifies to know the quality of a thing, and to arrange and dispose according to it I will also adduce the following by way of confirmation.

In Isaiah:

"A tumultuous noise of the kingdoms of the nations gathered together; Jehovah Zebaoth numbering the host of war" (13:4).

The kingdoms of the nations gathered together, of which there is a tumult, do not mean nations gathered together from kingdoms, for this is purely prophetical and not historical; but the kingdoms of the nations gathered together, signify the falsities of evil which they have made to cohere; and by their tumult is meant their threats, and their eagerness to fight against truths. For the term "kingdoms" is used of truths, and in the opposite sense of falsities, and nations signify goods, and in the opposite sense evils, as may be seen above (n. 175, 331). Tumult is stated of the eager desire to fight, in the present case, against truths; Jehovah Zebaoth numbering the host of war, signifies the arrangement by the Lord of truths from good against the falsities from evil. The Lord in the Word is called Jehovah Zebaoth, from truths and goods fighting against falsities and evils, for Zebaoth signifies hosts, and hosts signify the truths and goods of heaven and of the church; and to number signifies to arrange them, and war signifies spiritual combat.

[7] Again, in the same prophet:

"Lift up your eyes on high, and behold who hath created these things, who bringeth out their host by number; he calleth them all by name" (40:26).

The host of heaven, in the sense of the letter, means the sun, moon, and stars, for these in the Word are called the host of Jehovah; but, in the spiritual sense, host signifies all the goods and truths of heaven, and of the church in their entirety, for the sun signifies the good of love, the moon the good of faith, while the stars signify the knowledges of good and truth. It is therefore evident what is signified by, "Lift up your eyes, and behold who hath created these things." By creating, when used of goods and truths, is signified to form these in man, and to regenerate him; by leading out the host by number, is signified to arrange goods and truths according to their quality in those who possess them; to call them all by name, signifies to know the quality of all and to dispose according to it.

[8] For name in the Word signifies the quality of a thing and state, as in John:

"The sheep hear his voice; and he calleth his own sheep by name, and leadeth them out" (10:3).

In this passage, by leading out and calling by name are signified similar things to those contained in the words above quoted from Isaiah. That name signifies the quality of a thing and state, see above (n. 102, 135, 148).

In David:

Jehovah "who numbereth the host of the stars; he calleth them all by names" (Psalm 147:4).

To number the host of the stars, and call them all by their names, signifies to know all goods and truths, and to dispose them according to their quality in heaven and the church. What other object could there be in saying, that Jehovah numbereth the stars, and calleth them by their names?

[9] In Jeremiah:

"In the cities of the mountain, in the cities of the plain, and in the cities of the south, and in the land of Benjamin, and in the circuit of Jerusalem, and in the cities of Judah, shall the flocks pass again under the hands of him that numbereth" (33:13).

What is signified in this passage, in the spiritual sense, by the mountains, the plain, the south, the land of Benjamin, the circuit of Jerusalem, and the cities of Judah, may be seen explained above (n. 449:6); by the flocks passing under the hands of him that numbereth them, are signified interior goods and truths according to their order and quality in the church. For by flocks are signified interior goods and truths, interior and spiritual goods and truths being meant by the animals of the flock, as lambs, sheep, she-goats, rams, and kids; but exterior or natural goods and truths, are meant by those of the herd, as calves, heifers, cows, and oxen. That this is the case may be seen in the Arcana Coelestia 1565, 2566, 5913, 6048, 8937, 10609).

[10] Again, in David:

"Mount Zion shall be glad, the daughters of Judah shall exult, because of thy judgments. Walk about Zion, go round about her; number the towers thereof. Set your heart to her bulwarks, distinguish her palaces; that ye may tell it to the generation following" (Psalm 48:11-13).

Mount Zion, which shall be glad, signifies the celestial church, in which those are who are in love to the Lord; the daughters of Judah, who shall exult, signify the affections for good and truth with those who are of that church. Because of thy judgments signifies because of the Divine truths which they have from the Lord. Walk about Zion, and go round about her, signifies to embrace the things of that church from love. Number the towers thereof, signifies to meditate on the higher or interior truths of that church; to number means to see and meditate on their quality, and towers denote higher or interior truths. Set your heart to her bulwarks, signifies to love the exterior truths which defend that church against falsities. Distinguish her palaces, signifies to perceive the goods of truth, for houses denote goods, and palaces the nobler goods of truth; That ye may tell it to the generation following, signifies the permanence of them to eternity.

[11] In Isaiah:

"He that walketh in justice, and speaketh uprightly; shall see the king in his beauty; they shall behold the land that is far off. Thine heart shall meditate terror. Where is the scribe? where is he that weighs? where is he that counted the towers? Thou shalt not see an obdurate people, a people of depths of lip" (Isaiah 33:15-19).

To walk in justice and speak uprightly, signifies to live in the good of love and charity, and to think and perceive truths. For to walk signifies to live, while the term "justice" is used in reference to good, and uprightness, in reference to truth. He shall see the king in his beauty, signifies that they shall become wise, for king signifies truth from good, and beauty its wisdom, for in this, Divine Truth is in its own beautiful form; They shall behold the land that is far off, signifies the extension of wisdom into heaven, for land signifies the church, and also heaven, and far off signifies extension there. Thine heart shall meditate terror. Where is the scribe? where is he that weighs? where is he that counted the towers? signifies remembrance of the state of the church when there is neither intelligence nor wisdom, and when there is falsification of interior truths. Terror denotes that state, scribe denotes intelligence, he that weighs denotes wisdom, towers denote interior truths, and to destroy their quality by falsifications is here signified by numbering them. Thou shalt not see an obdurate people, signifies those who are in falsities of evil, and in the abstract, those falsities; A people of depths of lip, signifies falsities of doctrine confirmed even until they appear as truths; lip signifies the truth of doctrine, here, the falsity which they shall not see.

[12] That to number also signifies to dispose wickedly, consequently to destroy by falsifications, is evident in the same prophet:

"Ye have seen the breaches of the house of David, that they are many; and ye have gathered together the waters of the lower pool. And ye have numbered the houses of Jerusalem, in order that ye may break down the houses to fortify the wall" (Isaiah 22:9, 10).

The house of David means the church in regard to truths of doctrine; and the breaches thereof signify falsities breaking in. To gather together the waters of the lower pool, signifies to collect many things from the sense of the letter of the Word, and from the natural man. The pools in Jerusalem signified truths, such as they are in the exterior and interior senses of the Word; the waters of the higher pool, truths in the interior sense of the Word; and the waters of the lower pool, those in the exterior sense, which is the sense of the letter of the Word. For waters denote truths, and the pools in Jerusalem have a signification similar to that of the lakes and the seas outside Jerusalem, that is to say, the gathering together of truths. To number the houses of Jerusalem, signifies to falsify the goods of truth; for the houses of Jerusalem signify the goods of the truth of the church, and to number signifies to apprehend them perversely; and to dispose wickedly, that is to interpret falsely, or to falsify. In order that ye may break down the houses to fortify the wall, signifies, to destroy those goods in order to build up a doctrine in which are pure falsities, a wall denoting the truth of doctrine defending, in the present case, falsified, because destitute of good.

[13] From these things the signification of "the days are numbered," "steps," and "hairs," in the following passages is evident.

In David:

"To number our days" (Psalm 90:12).

In Job:

"Thou numberest my steps" (14:16).

And again:

"Doth he not see my ways, and number all my steps?" (31:4).

In Luke:

"The hairs of your head are all numbered" (12:7).

In all these passages, to number signifies to know the quality from the least to the greatest, and to arrange and dispose, that is, to provide in agreement with it. The signification of days, steps, and hairs, has been stated and shown elsewhere.

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336. And the number of them was myriads of myriads, and thousands of thousands. That this signifies that those are innumerable who are in truths, and innumerable those who are in goods, is clear from the signification of number, as denoting quantity and quality, quantity in the natural sense, and quality in the spiritual sense, the suitable number determining them; but still by all numbers in the Word is signified something of the thing treated of, as by two, three, four, five, seven, ten, and twelve, as has been shown in their proper places. It is the same thing with myriad and thousand, which are here mentioned. The number seven, for example, does not signify seven, but all things, full, and whole (see above, n. 257). But what myriads and thousands signify, shall now be explained. Myriads signify things innumerable; similarly thousands; but myriads are predicated of truths, and thousands of goods; hence it is that by myriads of myriads, and thousands of thousands, are signified that those are innumerable who are in truths, and innumerable those who are in goods.

[2] Those who are in the lower heavens, concerning whom these things are said, belong to those who are in the higher heavens, treated of above, like two kingdoms, namely, the spiritual kingdom, and the celestial kingdom; those who belong to the spiritual kingdom are meant by those who are in truths, but those who belong to the celestial kingdom are meant by those who are in goods; the latter being innumerable is signified by thousands of thousands, and the former being innumerable is signified by myriads of myriads; but in the abstract sense, which is the true spiritual sense, innumerable truths and innumerable goods are signified. The reason why myriads and thousands signify things innumerable, is, because ten signifies many, and thence also a hundred, a thousand, and ten thousand; for numbers multiplied by a similar number signify the same as the simple numbers by which they are multiplied (see n.5291, 5335, 5708, 7973). But when things innumerable, which are infinitely many, are to be expressed, they are called myriads of myriads, and thousands of thousands.

[3] Moreover, when two multiplied numbers, the one greater and the other less, which have a like signification, are mentioned together, as when ten and a hundred, or a hundred and a thousand, then the less is predicated of goods, and the greater of truths; the reason is, because every single good consists of several truths, for good is formed from truths, and hence good is produced by truths; it is from this fact that the greater number is predicated of truths, and the less of goods; similarly here myriads of myriads, and thousands of thousands. That it is so may be illustrated by the following consideration, that one delight of affection may be presented by several ideas of thought, and expressed by various things in speech; the delight of the affection is what is called good, and the ideas of thought and various things in the speech, which proceed from that delight or good, are what are called truths. The case is similar with one thing of the will in reference to many things of its understanding, and also with one thing of love to many things which express it; this is why much and multitude in the Word are predicated of truths, and great and greatness of good, for what is great contains in itself many things. But these things are said for those who can be instructed by examples, in order that they may know whence it is that thousands equally as myriads signify things innumerable, but still that myriads are predicated of truths, and thousands of goods.

[4] That these numbers signify such things is evident from the following passages.

In Moses:

"In the first-born of his bullock he hath honour, and his horns [are] the horns of unicorns; with them he shall thrust the people together to the ends of the earth; and these are the myriads of Ephraim, and these are the thousands of Manasseh" (Deuteronomy 33:17).

These things are said concerning Joseph, by whom, in a representative sense, is signified the Lord as to the Divine Spiritual, and as to His spiritual kingdom (see n. 3969, 3971, 4669, 6417). By his two sons Ephraim and Manasseh are signified two parts of that kingdom, namely, intellectual truth and voluntary good; by Ephraim intellectual truth, and by Manasseh voluntary good; hence it is that myriads are predicated of Ephraim and thousands of Manasseh. That these are signified by Ephraim and Manasseh may be seen in theArcana Coelestia 3969, 5351, 5353, 5354, 6222, 6234, 6238, 6267, 6296. What is signified by the first-born of the bullock, and by the horns of the unicorn, may be seen above (n. 316).

[5] In David:

"The chariots of God are two myriads, thousands of angels of peace; the Lord is among them, in the holy place of Sinai" (Psalms 68:17).

By the chariots of God are signified truths of doctrine, and by the angels of peace are signified the goods thereof; therefore myriads are predicated of the former, and thousands of the latter. (That chariots signify truths of doctrine, may be seen, n. 2762, 5321, 8215; and that peace signifies the inmost of good, in the work concerning Heaven and Hell 284-290.) And because the Lord is called Lord from good, and Sinai signifies heaven where and whence the Divine truth is, therefore it is said the Lord is among them, in the holy place of Sinai, the holy place denoting heaven and the church where Divine truth is. (That the Lord is called Lord from Divine good, and God from Divine truth, may be seen, n. 4973, 9167, 9194; and that Sinai signifies heaven where the Lord is, from whom is Divine truth, or from whom is the law, in the strict sense, and in the broad sense, n. 8399, 8753, 8793, 8805, 9420.)

[6] In the same:

"Thou shalt not be afraid of the terror of the night; of the dart that flieth by day, of the pestilence that creepeth in darkness; of death that wasteth at noon-day. A thousand shall fall at thy side, and a myriad at thy right hand" (Psalms 91:5-7).

These things are said concerning the falsities and evils that are not known to be falsities and evils, and that yet creep into the thought and the will, and destroy men; falsities that are known to be falsities, are meant by the dart that flieth by day, and evils that are known to be evils and yet enter, are meant by the death that wasteth at noon-day; and falsities that are not known to be falsities, are meant by the terror of the night, and evils which are not known to be evils, by the pestilence that creepeth in darkness. The destruction of these evils is signified by a thousand that shall fall at his side; and the destruction of the falsities by the myriad that shall fall at his right hand; by the side also, at which they shall fall, is signified good, and by the right hand the truth of good. The reason why a thousand is predicated of evils, and a myriad of falsities is, because falsities are opposed to truths, and evils opposed to goods; and in the Word opposites are expressed by the same words and the same numbers.

[7] In the same:

"Our garners [shall be] full, yielding from food to food; our flocks shall bring forth thousands, myriads in our streets" (Psalms 144:13).

By garners and by food are signified the goods and truths of the church; for spiritual foods are the knowledges of truth and good, by which there is intelligence. Similar but interior things are signified by flocks; therefore the goods of the church are meant by thousands, and the truths thereof by myriads; and because truths are meant by myriads, therefore it is said, myriads in our streets; for by the streets of a city are signified truths of doctrine. (That food signifies both good and truth, may be seen n. 3114, 4459, 4792, 5147, 5293, 5340, 5342, 5410, 5426, 5576, 5582, 5588, 5655, 5915, 6277, 8418, 8562, 9003; hence also garners, which are the storehouses thereof. That by flocks are signified interior goods and truths, which are called spiritual, n. 1565, 2566, 3767, 3768, 3772, 3783, 3795, 5913, 6044, 6048, 8937, 10609.)

[8] In Micah:

"Will Jehovah be pleased with thousands of rams, with myriads of rivers of oil?" (Micah 6:7).

Because by rams are signified spiritual goods, and by rivers of oil are signified the truths proceeding from good, therefore, myriads are predicated of the latter, and thousands of the former. (That by rams are signified spiritual goods, may be seen, n. 2830, 4170.) And because the good of love is signified by oil, therefore by the rivers thereof are signified the things proceeding from it, which are truths.

[9] In Daniel:

"I beheld till the thrones were cast down, and the Ancient of days did sit. A stream of fire issuing and going forth from before him; a thousand of thousands ministered unto him, and a myriad of myriads stood before him" (7:9, 10).

The Lord's advent is here treated of, and by the thrones that were cast down, are signified the falsities of the church, which were destroyed; by the Ancient of days is meant the Lord from eternity; by a stream of fire issuing and going forth from before Him, are signified the Divine good of love, and the Divine truth thence; by a stream of fire issuing, the Divine good of love; and by the same going forth, the Divine truth proceeding. Because each is signified, therefore it is said, a thousand of thousands ministered unto Him, and a myriad of myriads stood before Him, a thousand being predicated of Divine Good, and a myriad of Divine truth; to minister is also predicated of good (see above, n. 155); and to stand as well as to go forth is predicated of truth.

[10] In Moses:

"When the ark rested, Moses said, Return, O Jehovah, to the myriads of the thousands of Israel" (Num. 10:35, 36).

Because the ark signified the Divine Celestial proceeding from the Lord, from the law or testimony which was in it, and by Israel was signified the church as to the reception of Divine good and Divine truth, therefore it is said, "The myriads of the thousands of Israel," by whom are signified the truths from good, which are in Israel or in the church. But what a thousand signifies when ten thousand or a myriad are not adjoined to it, will be seen in its proper article in the following pages; similarly what is signified by number.