151. Internal Meaning of Ezekiel, Chapter 28

1-5 Since they believe that they are learned from mere knowledges [cognitiones] and say in their heart that they are most intelligent from themselves, (2, 3)

6-10 therefore they will falsify all knowledges [cognitiones] of truth, and will perish thereby. (2, 3, 16)

11 Respecting learning from the Word. (2, 3)

12 From the Word they have all truths and goods of heaven and of the church; (2, 11)

12-18 in consequence of which they were in intelligence at first, but afterwards this was dissipated by means of their pride. (2)

19-20 Natural love consumed all things of the church, resulting in their destruction. (3)

21-23 Of the understanding of truth, which is meant by Zidon: it will perish by means of falsities. (2)

24 Their destruction, lest the church should be still further destroyed. (3)

25-26 A new church will come into existence, when the former has been condemned. (11)

4770. 'And dipped the tunic in the blood' means that they defiled those appearances with falsities arising from evils. This is clear from the meaning of 'dipping in blood' as defiling with falsities, for in the contrary sense 'blood' means truth that has been falsified, 4735. Because it was the blood of 'a he-goat, which means external truths derived from delights such as adherents to faith separated from charity enjoy, it is plain that falsities arising from evils are meant. This is also evident from what follows below where Jacob says, 'An evil wild animal has devoured him; Joseph has been torn to pieces'; for these words mean that desires for evil annihilated [truth possessed by the Church], thus that falsities rendered this entirely non-existent. For falsity arises from three different sources - the teaching of the Church, the illusions of the senses, and the life of evil desires, the last of the three being the worst kind of falsity, see 4729.