Arcana Coelestia #648
648. As for numbers and measurements in the Word meaning celestial and spiritual things, this becomes quite clear from the measuring of the New Jerusalem and of the Temple in John and Ezekiel. It may become clear to anyone that the 'New Jerusalem' and the 'New Temple' mean the Lord's kingdom in heaven and on earth, and that the Lord's kingdom in heaven and on earth is not subject to earthly measurements, even though the size of it - its length, breadth, and height - is specified numerically. From this anyone may conclude that numbers and measurements mean things that are holy, as in John,
I was given a measuring rod like a staff, and the angel stood and said to me, Rise and measure the temple of God, and the altar, and those who worship in it. Revelation 11:1.
And concerning the New Jerusalem,
The wall of the heavenly Jerusalem was great and high, having twelve gates, and above the gates twelve angels, and names written which are those of the twelve tribes of the sons of Israel; on the east three gates, on the north three gates, on the south three gates, and on the west three gates. The wall of the city had twelve foundations, and on them the twelve names of the apostles of the Lamb. He who talked to me had a golden measuring-rod to measure the city, and its gates, and its wall. The city lies four-square, and its length is the same as its breadth. He therefore measured the city with the measuring rod, twelve thousand stadia; its length and breadth and height were equal. He measured its wall, a hundred and forty-four cubits, which is the measure of a man, that is, of an angel. Revelation 21:12-17.
[2] Here the number twelve occurs repeatedly. It is a very holy number since it means the holy things of faith, as has been stated above at verse 3 of this chapter, and in the Lord's Divine mercy will be shown at Genesis 29, 30. Hence also the comment added at the end of the quotation set out above about this measure being 'the measure of a man, that is, of an angel'. The same applies with the New Temple and the New Jerusalem in Ezekiel, which are also described according to their measurements, Chapter 40:3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 13-14, 22, 25, 30, 36, 42, 47; Ezekiel 41:1-end; 42:5-15; Zechariah 2:1-2. There also, regarded in themselves the numbers mean nothing but celestial and spiritual holiness independent of actual numbers. The same applies to all the numbers giving the dimensions of the Ark, Exodus 25:10, and similarly of the mercy seat, the golden table, the Tabernacle, the altar, Exodus 25:17, 23; Exodus 26; 27:1; and to all the numbers and dimensions of the Temple, 1 Kings 6:2-3, and many other examples.
Genesis 5
1
This is the book of the generations of Adam. In the day that God created man, he made him in God's likeness.
2
He created them male and female, and blessed them, and called their name "Adam," in the day when they were created.
3
Adam lived one hundred thirty years, and became the father of a son in his own likeness, after his image, and named him Seth.
4
The days of Adam after he became the father of Seth were eight hundred years, and he became the father of sons and daughters.
5
All the days that Adam lived were nine hundred thirty years, then he died.
6
Seth lived one hundred five years, and became the father of Enosh.
7
Seth lived after he became the father of Enosh eight hundred seven years, and became the father of sons and daughters.
8
All the days of Seth were nine hundred twelve years, then he died.
9
Enosh lived ninety years, and became the father of Kenan.
10
Enosh lived after he became the father of Kenan, eight hundred fifteen years, and became the father of sons and daughters.
11
All the days of Enosh were nine hundred five years, then he died.
12
Kenan lived seventy years, and became the father of Mahalalel.
13
Kenan lived after he became the father of Mahalalel eight hundred forty years, and became the father of sons and daughters
14
and all the days of Kenan were nine hundred ten years, then he died.
15
Mahalalel lived sixty-five years, and became the father of Jared.
16
Mahalalel lived after he became the father of Jared eight hundred thirty years, and became the father of sons and daughters.
17
All the days of Mahalalel were eight hundred ninety-five years, then he died.
18
Jared lived one hundred sixty-two years, and became the father of Enoch.
19
Jared lived after he became the father of Enoch eight hundred years, and became the father of sons and daughters.
20
All the days of Jared were nine hundred sixty-two years, then he died.
21
Enoch lived sixty-five years, and became the father of Methuselah.
22
Enoch walked with God after he became the father of Methuselah three hundred years, and became the father of sons and daughters.
23
All the days of Enoch were three hundred sixty-five years.
24
Enoch walked with God, and he was not, for God took him.
25
Methuselah lived one hundred eighty-seven years, and became the father of Lamech.
26
Methuselah lived after he became the father of Lamech seven hundred eighty-two years, and became the father of sons and daughters.
27
All the days of Methuselah were nine hundred sixty-nine years, then he died.
28
Lamech lived one hundred eighty-two years, and became the father of a son,
29
and he named him Noah, saying, "This same will comfort us in our work and in the toil of our hands, because of the ground which Yahweh has cursed."
30
Lamech lived after he became the father of Noah five hundred ninety-five years, and became the father of sons and daughters.
31
All the days of Lamech were seven hundred seventy-seven years, then he died.
32
Noah was five hundred years old, and Noah became the father of Shem, Ham, and Japheth.
