THE EXPLANATION of Isaiah Chapter 28

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

1. Woe to the crown of pride, to the drunkards of Ephraim, and to the fading flower of their glorious beauty! to those that are at the bead of the fat valley, that are overcome with wine!

VERSE 1. They are called "drunkards" in the Word, who believe nothing but what they comprehend [by the senses], and in this spirit inquire into the mysteries of faith; the consequence is, that they must needs fall into errors, inasmuch as they are under the guidance only of things sensual, scientific, or philosophical in their inquiries. The thinking principle of man is merely terrestrial, corporeal, and material, inasmuch as it is formed of things terrestrial, corporeal, and material, which continually adhere thereto, and in which the ideas of thought are founded and terminated; therefore to think and reason from those things concerning things divine, is to plunge into errors and perverse opinions, and it is as impossible for a man thence to obtain faith, as it is for "a camel to pass through the eye of a needle." The error and insanity thence derived are called, in the Word, "drunkenness"; nay, even souls or spirits in another life, who reason concerning the truths of faith, and against them, become like drunk persons, and behave in like manner; concerning whom, by the Divine Mercy of the Lord, more will be said hereafter. Spirits are manifestly discerned whether they be principled in a faith grounded in charity or not. They who are principled in faith grounded in charity, do not reason concerning the truths of faith, but say that they are so, and likewise confirm them, so much as they are able, by the things of sense, of science, and of analytical reasoning; but as soon as any thing obscure intervenes, which they do not clearly apprehend, this they lay aside, nor ever suffer such a thing to lead them into doubt, urging that there are very few things which they can comprehend; and, therefore, that it is a great folly to think a thing not to be true because they do not comprehend it; these are they who are principled in charity but they, on the other hand, who are not principled in faith grounded in charity, are disposed only to reason whether a thing be true, and to know how it is true, urging that unless they know how it is so, they cannot possibly believe that it is so.

By this circumstance alone they are instantly discovered to be principled in no faith, and the proof thereof is, because they not only doubt about all things, but even in their hearts deny them; and when they are instructed how the case is, still they continue obstinate and raise fresh scruples and objections, and would do so, if possible, to all eternity; and they who thus remain doubtful heap up errors upon errors. Arcana Coelestia 1072.

Verses 1, 3, 7. Woe to the crown of pride, to the drunkards of Ephraim, etc.

- These things are said of those who are insane in spiritual things, in consequence of believing that they are intelligent from themselves, and therein glorying; the state of such is described in this passage by mere correspondences. They who are insane with respect to things spiritual, or truths, are understood by "drunkards", and they who thence behave themselves intelligent by "Ephraim", and the glorying of their intelligence or erudition by the "crown of pride"; for they who are in falsities of doctrine, and have confirmed themselves therein, when they are enlightened, and see truths in the other life, become as it were "drunkards"; such is the case of the learned who have confirmed themselves in falsities, which is to confirm from self and not from the Lord; hence it is evident what is signified by " Woe to the crown of pride, to the drunkards of Ephraim." By "the fading flower of glorious beauty, of those that are at the head of the fat valley, that are overcome with wine", is signified the truth of the church perishing in its birth, from the glorying of self-derived intelligence, which is of the natural man separated from the spiritual, in which case man sees "the false in the place of truth; the "fading flower of glorious beauty denotes truth in its birth falling or perishing; the "head of the valley" denotes the intelligence of the natural man; their being "overcome with wine" signifies their seeing the false in the place of truth.

"The crown of pride, the drunkards of Ephraim shall be trodden under feet", signifies that that intelligence shall entirely perish.

"These also have erred through wine, and through strong drink they have reeled", signifies falsities and the things thence derived; by "the priest and the prophet who have erred through strong drink, and are swallowed up with wine, and have reeled through strong drink", is signified that they who ought to be in the doctrine of Good and Truth are of such a quality, and, abstractedly from persons, that then doctrine is of such a quality; and by their "erring in vision and stumbling in judgment", is signified their not seeing the truths of intelligence.

That such things are signified by these words, no one can see except from the spiritual sense, without which it could not be known, that the "crown" and the "head" signify intelligence, that "drunkards" signify those who are insane in things spiritual, that Ephraim signifies the understanding, - in the present case, self-derived, or originating in the proprium of man, that "valley" signifies the inferior or lower things of the mind, which are natural and sensual and that a "priest" and "prophet" signify the doctrine of Good and Truth. Apocalypse Explained 370.

Woe to the drunkards of Ephraim, and to the fading flower of their glorious beauty! etc.

- "Drunkards" stand for those who reason from falsities. see Arcana Coelestia 1072; "Ephraim" for the intellectual principle of the church, - in this case perverted, Arcana Coelestia 5354, 6222; (see also above, Chapter 7:2, the Exposition.) "glory" signifies Divine Truth, Arcana Coelestia 4809, 9222.

Hence it is evident that a "flower" or "blossom" is the scientific by which Truth [is acquired]. That "flowers" or "blossoms" signify such things, is because blossoms are the germinations which precede, and in their manner produce fruits and seeds. That trees and plants blossom before they bear fruit, is known. The case is similar with man as to intelligence and wisdom. The scientifics of Truth precede, and in their manner produce those things which are of wisdom with man; for they serve his rational mind with objects, and thus with the means of becoming wise. Hence it is that the scientifics of Truth are like blossoms, and the good of life, which is the good of wisdom, is like fruit.

Since all things in the spiritual world relate to such things as are with man, by reason that heaven resembles one man, and corresponds to all things, even to the most minute, which are with man, wherefore all things which are in the natural world, according to their agreement with such things as are with a man, correspond, represent, and signify. (Arcana Coelestia 9496)

Hence now it is evident whence it is that "blossoms" and "flowers" signify the scientifics of Truth, and, in general, truths; and "fruits" and "seeds", goods. Arcana Coelestia 9553.

Woe to the drunkards of Ephraim! they have erred through wine, and through strong drink they have reeled, etc.

- That to the "drunken with wine and with strong drink" signifies to be insane and infatuated in regard to spiritual things, may indeed be seen without being confirmed from other passages in the Word; but inasmuch as many people do not see this, by reason that they do not think spiritually but sensually, and thus materially, of everything in the Word, when they read it, I will adduce some passages from the Word to prove that being made "drunk" signifies to be insane or infatuated in regard to things of a spiritual, that is, of a theological nature, which are the following:

"They are drunken, but not with wine; they stagger, but not with strong drink." (Isaiah 29:9)

"Hear, you afflicted, you drunken, but not with wine." (Isaiah 51:21)

"Babylon is a cup of gold in the hand of Jehovah, making all the earth drunken: the nations have drunken of the wine thereof; therefore the nations are mad." (Jeremiah 51:7)

"Babylon shall be an hissing: when they are heated, I will make their feasts, and I will make them drunken, that they may exult, and sleep a perpetual sleep, and not awake", (Jeremiah 51:37, 39)

"Babylon is fallen, is fallen, because she made all nations drunk of the wine of her whoredom." (Revelation 14:8)

"Let every bottle be filled with wine; behold, I will fill all the inhabitants of this land, the priests and the prophets, with drunkenness." (Jeremiah 13:12, 13)

"You shalt be filled with drunkenness and sorrow, with the cup of devastation and desolation." (Ezekiel 23:32, 33)

"O daughter of Edom, unto you also the cup shall pass; you shalt be drunken, and shalt be uncovered." (Lamentations 4:21)

"You also shalt be made drunken. (Nahum 3:11)

"Drink you, and be drunken, and spue, and fall, to rise no more." (Jeremiah 25:27)

Apocalypse Revealed 721. See also above, Chap, Isaiah 5:11, 12, 21, 22, the Exposition.

As to the enormous sin of drunkenness, in a literal sense, see above Chap, Isaiah 19:14, the Exposition.

2. Behold, a mighty one, a strong one from the Lord! like a storm of hail, like a tempest of slaughter, like ta flood of mighty waters overflowing, He shall cast them to the earth with His hand.

3. The crown of pride, the drunkards of Ephraim, shall be trodden under feet:

4. And the fading flower of their glorious beauty, which is upon the head of the fat valley, shall be as the early fruit before the summer; which one looks at, and while it is yet in his hand, he swallows it.

Verses 2, 22 Speaking of the day of Judgment upon those who are of the said church. The day of Judgment, when the church is at its end, is understood by "I have heard a consummation and decision, from the Lord Jehovih of Hosts, upon the whole earth; "wherefore it is said, that "like a storm of hail, like a tempest of slaughter, like a flood of mighty waters overflowing. He shall cast them to the earth with His hand."

By "hail" and the "storm" thereof, are signified falsities which destroy the truths of the church; by "slaughter" and its "tempest", are signified evils which destroy the goods of the church; by "mighty waters" are signified the falsities of evil.

That an "inundation" and a "flood" signify immersions into evils and falsities, and hence the destruction of the church, may be seen in. Arcana Coelestia 660, 705; also above, Chapter 8:7, 8, the Exposition.

The same is signified by "casting down to the earth", or by a violent pouring down of rain. Apocalypse Explained 304.

5. In that day shall Jehovah of Hosts be for a crown of glory, and for a diadem of beauty, unto the remnant of His people:

Verse 5. A "crown of glory" [or of adornment] signifies wisdom which is of Good from the Divine; a "diadem of beauty" signifies intelligence which is of Truth from that Good. This crown and this diadem are predicated of the divine things which are with "the [residue of]people", or the church. Arcana Coelestia 9930. See also Apocalypse Explained 272.

That "residue" or "remnant" signifies the remains of what is Good and True, or of those who are in what is Good and True at the period of Judgment, see above, Chapter 1:9; 4:2, 3, the Exposition.

6. And for a spirit of judgment to him that sits in judgment; and for strength to them that turn the battle from the gate.

Verse 6. In that day shall Jehovah be for a spirit of judgment to him that sits in judgment; and for strength to them that turn the battle front the gate.

- These things are said concerning those who are not in the conceit of self-derived intelligence, which is treated of in this chapter, and is understood in verse 1 by " the crown of pride, the drunkards of Ephraim." That they who are not in that conceit shall be in intelligence from the Lord, is signified by "Jehovah shall be for a spirit of judgment to him that sits in judgment"; "judgment" denoting the understanding of Truth, thus intelligence.

"Jehovah shall be for strength to them that turn the battle from the gate" signifies that the Lord gives power to those who defend the Word and doctrine from the Word, and who endeavour to preserve them from being violated; a "city" denoting doctrine, and the "gate", that which gives entrance thereto, denoting natural truths. Hence it was that the elders "sat to judge in the gates of the city." Apocalypse Explained 734.

For strength to them that turn the battle from the gate. - As to the meaning of "gates", see Chapter 60:11, 18, the Exposition.

7. But these also have erred through wine, and through strong drink they have reeled; the priest and the prophet have erred through strong drink; they are swallowed up with wine; they have reeled through strong drink; they have erred in vision, they have stumbled in judgment:

8. For all tables are full of vomit and filthiness; no place [is clean].

Verses 7, 8. "Wine" and "strong drink", by which they err, signify truths mixed with falsities; the "priest" and the "prophet" signify those who teach goods and truths, and, in an abstract sense, the goods and truths of the church; the "seeing", amongst whom they err, signify those who are about to see truths: to "stumble in judgment" signifies insanity.

"Tables" signify all things which should nourish the spiritual life, for by "tables" is understood the food which is upon them, and "food" means all truths and goods, because they are what nourish the spiritual life; here, therefore, by "tables full of vomit", are signified the same things falsified and adulterated. Apocalypse Explained 235.

9. Whom should He teach knowledge? and whom should He make to understand doctrine? Those that are weaned from the milk, that are withdrawn from the breasts.

10. For it is precept upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little:

Verses 9, 10. [These words imply, in their literal sense, that children should be taught at the earliest period of life, and that they should be trained for heaven, as the end of their birth into the world. In the spiritual sense, to be "weaned" is to be separated, - in relation to the Lord, from His infirm Human, and in relation to man, from his proprium. (Arcana Coelestia 2647, 2649)

Such as are thus separated from their proprium, are capable of receiving instruction in spiritual and divine things, or in the Truths of the Word. "Precept upon precept, line upon line", etc., implies the successive and gradual process of instruction; as in the building of a house one line or layer of stones is laid upon another, so in the building up of the mind the knowledges of Truth and Good are acquired in successive order.]

11. Therefore with a stammering lip and in another tongue will He speak unto this people.

Verse 11. "Stammerers" signify those who with difficulty can apprehend [and pronounce] the Truth of the church. Arcana Coelestia 4551. See also the Exposition of Isaiah 32:4.

12. To whom He said, This is the rest which you shall give unto the weary; and this is the refreshment: but they would not hear.

Verse 12. To be "weary" denotes a state of temptation-combat. Arcana Coelestia 3318. See also 3321.

13. Therefore shall the Word of Jehovah be indeed unto them precept upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little: but they will go on, and fall backward; and be broken, and ensnared, and caught.

14. Wherefore hear you the word of Jehovah, you scornful men, who rule this people in Jerusalem:

Verse 13. But they will go on, and fall backward; and be broken, and ensnared, and caught. - To "fall backward", is to avert themselves from what is Good and True; to be "broken", signifies to dissipate Truths and Goods; to be "ensnared", is to be allured by the love of self and of the world; to be "caught", is to be carried away by those loves. Arcana Coelestia 9348.

As to the meaning of "going or falling backwards", see Chapter 1:4; of "snares", "nets", and "traps", see Chapter 24:17, the Exposition.

15. Because you have said, We have made a covenant with death; and with hell have we made a vision: the overflowing scourge, when it passes through, shall not reach us; for we have made a lie our refuge, and under falsehood have we hid ourselves.

Verse 15. In this passage "death" denotes damnation, since death is damnation, it is also hell; wherefore hell, in the Word, is commonly called "death", as in Isaiah:

"Hell will not confess You; nor will death praise You." (Isaiah 38:18, 19) Apocalypse Explained 186.

Verses 15, 18. "make a covenant with death", signifies conjunction with the false from hell, whence man dies spiritually; to "make a vision with hell", signifies divination, as it were, prophetic, from hell. Apocalypse Explained 701. See also Arcana Coelestia 8908.

The overflowing scourge. - As to what may be understood by this term, in a spiritual sense, see Chapter 8:7, 8, the Exposition.

16. Wherefore thus says the Lord Jehovih, Behold, I lay in Zion for a foundation, a stone, a tried stone, a precious corner [stone], a firm foundation: he that believes [in Him] shall not hasten [to flee].

Verse 16. And in Jeremiah:

"They shall not take of you a stone for a corner, or a stone of foundations"; (Jeremiah 51:26)

So in Zechariah:

"Out of Judah a corner, out of him the nail, out of him the bow of war." (Zechariah 10:4)

Again, in David:

"The stone which they rejected is become the head of the corner." (Psalm 118:22; Matthew 21:42; Mark 12:10, 11; Luke 20:17)

The "stone of the corner" signifies all Divine Truth upon which heaven and the church is founded, thus every foundation; and inasmuch as the "foundation" is the ultimate upon which a house or temple rests, therefore it signifies all things. It is on account of this signification of the "corner-stone", as denoting all Divine Truth upon which the church is founded, that it is said - "I will lay in Zion for a foundation, a stone, a tried stone, a precious corner [stone], a firm foundation"; and it is called " a stone for the corner", and "a stone of foundations"; and inasmuch as the "cornerstone" signifies all Divine Truth upon which the church is founded, therefore it also signifies the Lord as to His Divine Human, because all Divine Truth proceeds from that.

The "builders" or architects who "rejected that stone", as we read in the Evangelists, denote those who are of the church, in this case of the Jewish church, which rejected the Lord, and with Him all Divine Truth; for with them there remained nothing but vain traditions grounded in the literal sense of the Word, by which the essential truths of the Word were falsified and its goods adulterated. That "ultimates" signify all things, and what the ground of this signification is, may be seen in the Arcana Coelestia 634, 5897, 6239. Apocalypse Explained 417.

He that believes [in Him] shall not hasten [to flee]. - See the note, p. 296.

17. And I will lay judgment to the line, and justice to the plummet: and the hail shall sweep away the refuge of a lie; and the hiding-place the waters shall overwhelm.

18. And your covenant with death shall be abolished; and your vision with hell shall not stand: when the overflowing scourge passes through, by it shall you be trodden down;

19. As soon as it passes through, it shall take you; for morning by morning shall it pass through, by day and by night; and it shall be a terror to understand the report [thereof].

Verse 17. [This is another mode of expressing the process of exploration and of judgment which takes place after death, in the world of spirits, when "all refuges of lies shall be swept away", and every "hiding-place" of iniquity will be exposed and condemned.]

20. For the bed is shorter than that [one] can stretch himself [on it]; and the covering narrower than that he can wrap himself [in it].

Verse 20. A "bed" signifies doctrine. The ground and reason of this is from correspondences; for, as the body rests on its bed, so does the mind rest in its doctrine, But by a "bed" is signified the doctrine which everyone acquires to himself, either from the Word, or from his proper intelligence, for therein the mind reposes, and, as it were, sleeps. The beds in which they lie in the spiritual world are of no other origin. Everyone's bed there is conformable to the quality of his science and intelligence; - the wise have magnificent beds, the foolish have mean ones, and they who are in falsities have filthy ones. This is the signification of a "bed" in Luke:

"I tell you, in that night there shall be two in one bed; the one shall be taken, and the other shall be left." (Luke 17:34)

Speaking of the Last Judgment. "Two in one bed" means two in one doctrine, but not in similar life. In John:

"Jesus says unto the sick man, Rise, take up your bed, and walk; and he took up his bed, and walked." (John 5:8, 9)

And in Mark:

"Jesus said unto the sick of the palsy, Son, your sius be forgiven you; and He said unto the Scribes, Whether is it easier to say, Your sins be forgiven you; or to say, Arise, take up your bed, and walk? Then He said, Arise, take up your bed, and walk: and he took up his bed, and went forth from them." (Mark 2:5, 9, 11, 12)

That here something is signified by " bed", is evident, because Jesus said "Whether is it easier to say, Your sins be forgiven you; or to say, Take up your bed, and walk?" By "taking up his bed, and walking", is signified to meditate in doctrine; it is so understood in heaven. Doctrine is also signified by a "bed" in Amos:

"As the shepherd takes out of the mouth of the lion, so shall the children of Israel be taken out that dwell in Samaria, in the corner of a bed, and in the extremity of a couch." (Amos 3:12) "In the corner of a bed, and in the extremity of a couch", means what is more remote from the truths and goods of doctrine. "Bed", " couch", and "bedchamber" have a similar signification in other places, as in Isaiah 28:20; 57:2, 7, 8; Ezekiel 23:41; Amos 6:4; Micah 2:1; Psalms 4:4; 36:4; 41:3; Job 17:13; Leviticus 15:4, 5. Apocalypse Revealed 137.

[By "the bed being shorter than that one can stretch himself all it, and the covering narrower than that he can wrap himself in it", is implied that doctrines founded in fallacious reasonings find ill false principles, prevent the growth and extension of the rational mind, and obstruct the process of regeneration; and that they have no power to enlighten the mind with heavenly Truth, or to warm it with heavenly Love.]

21. For as in Mount Perazim, Jehovah will arise; as in the valley of Gibeon, shall He be wroth: that He may do His work, His strange work; and effect His operation, His strange operation.

Verse 21. [These events, representative of Judgment, are recorded in 2 Samuel 5:20, 21, where David defeated the Philistines, and executed, as it were, a judgment upon them. The term "Perazim", in Hebrew, means a tearing or breaking asunder, which involves the idea of Judgment. "As in the valley of Gibeon" refers to Josh. 10:10, when the Amorites were destroyed, which also represented the process of Judgment. The "destruction of the Philistines at Perazim " signifies judgment upon all who are in faith, or in the knowledges of Truth, separate from charity; (see above, Chapter 14:28, 29, the Exposition.) and the "slaughter of the Amorites" represented the judgment upon all who are in evils and falsities, and especially upon those who are in the falsities of evil. See Arcana Coelestia 1857, 6859.] ."

His strange work. - [Judgment is said to be the Lord's" strange work", to indicate that the process of Judgment, in the sense of condemnation, is not effected by the Lord, but by the evils and. falsities which proceed from the wicked themselves. "For the Lord has no pleasure in the death of the wicked." (Ezekiel 18:23, 32) "This is the condemnation, that light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil." ((John 3:19)

See above. Chapter 1:24, the Exposition.)

22. Wherefore, be you not mockers, lest your bonds be strengthened: for a consummation and decision have I heard, from the Lord Jehovih of Hosts, on the whole earth.

Verses 22, 24, 25, 26. These words, in their spiritual sense, describe the state of the church with the Jewish and Israelitish nation, that it was altogether destroyed, and that it was to no purpose to learn and to know the Word, but in order to apply the Good and Truth thereof to the use of life, and that by this menus, and no other, could intelligence be communicated from the Lord. That the church with that nation was altogether destroyed, is understood by "the consummation and decision being heard from the Lord Jehovih of Hosts upon the whole earth"; "consummation and decision" denoting plenary destruction, and the "whole earth" the entire church, that is, everything appertaining thereto. It being to no purpose merely to learn and know the Word, is signified by "Doth the ploughman plough the whole day that he may sow ? doth he open and harrow his ground?" to "plough for sowing" denoting to learn, and to "harrow the land" to deposit in the memory. That the Good and Truth of the Word should be applied to the use of life, is signified by "When he has made the face thereof even, doth not he cast abroad the fitches, and scatter the cummin, and sow the wheat in the principal [place], and the barley in its appointed [place], and the spelt in the border thereof?" The "making even the face of the earth, and scattering the cummin", denotes preparation by the Word; "the wheat in the principal [place], and the barley in its appointed[place], and the spelt in their border", denote the application of the Good and Truth of the Word to the use of life; "wheat" signifying Good, "barley" Truth, and "spelt" kuowledges. That by this means, and no other, can intelligence be communicated from the Lord, is signified by "For his God doth instruct him to judgment, and doth teach him." "Judgment " signifies intelligence; "his God teaching him" denotes that it is from the Lord. Apocalypse Explained 374.

23. Give you ear, and hear My voice; attend, and hearken unto My speech.

24. Doth the ploughman plough the whole day that he may sow? doth he open and harrow his ground?

25. When he has made the face thereof even, doth not he cast abroad the fitches, and scatter the cummin, and sow the "wheat in the principal [place], and the barley in its appointed [place], and the spelt in the border thereof?

26. For his God doth instruct him to judgment, and doth teach him.

Verses 23-26. These words appear as comparisons, but tbey are real correspondences, by which is described the reformation and regeneration of the man of the church; wherefore also it is said - "For his God doth instruct him to judgment, and doth teach him." To "instruct him to judgment", is to give him intelligence; for by "judgment" is signified the intelligence of Truth, n. 2235; and to "teach him", when from God, is to give him wisdom. Hence it may appear what is meant by "ploughing", "harrowing", "scattering abroad fitches", "sowing cummin", "storing up wheat, barley, and spelt", namely, that" ploughing" denotes implanting Truth in Good; "fitches" and "cummin " denote scientifics, since these are the first things which are learnt that a man may receive intelligence. That "'wheat" signifies the Good of love of the internal man , see n. 7005. That "ploughing" signifies, not from comparison, but from correspondences, the first thing of the church in general, and also in particular, with everyone who is regenerated, or who becomes a church, is evident from these words in Moses:

"You shalt not sow your vineyard intermixedly; you shalt not plough with an ox and an ass together; you shalt not wear a garment mixed with wool and linen together." (Deuteronomy 22:9-11)

These words involve that the states of Good and of Truth ought not to be coufounded: for a "vineyard" denotes: the church as to Truth, but a "field " the church as to Good; to "plough with an ox" denotes to prepare by Good; to "plough with an ass", to prepare by Truth.

"Wool" also denotes Good, but "linen" Truth. The case is this: all they are in a state of Good who are in the Lord's celestial kingdom; but they are in a state of Truth who are in the Lord's spiritual kingdom; he who is in the one cannot be in the other.

Who cannot see that the above words in Moses have a deeper signification than they appear to have; for otherwise what of evil could there have been in "sowing a vineyard intermixedly", in "ploughing with an ox and an ass together", and in "wearing a garment mixed with wool and linen together"? Arcana Coelestia 10669.

27. The fitches are not beaten out with the threshing-sledge, nor is the wheel of the cart made to turn about upon the cummin: but the fitches are beaten out with the staff: and the cummin with a rod;

28. Bread [corn] is bruised; but not for ever will he continue to thresh it, nor to break it with the wheel of his cart, nor to bruise it [with] his horsemen.

29. This also proceeds from Jehovah of Hosts, who is wonderful in counsel, and great in wisdom.

Verses 27-29. [It does not appear that Swedenborg has quoted these verses, but it is not difficult, from the doctrine of correspondences, to see the spiritual meaning of them. A "threshing-floor" denotes, as is evident from the passages in the Word where it is mentioned, something in relation to the church, and specifically the Good of Truth, and also the Truth of Good; (Arcana Coelestia 6537) and the mind where these things are prepared for the nourishment of the soul, is, as it were, a "threshing-floor." For, on a threshing-floor, wheat is in a state of preparation to become bread for the nourishment of the body. The various kinds of implements here mentioned were all used for threshing by the Jews, each implement being adapted to its specific purpose. The process of the understanding whilst meditating on the various scientifics and knowledges of what is Good and True from the Word, is here depicted. The various kinds of knowledge represented by the "fitches", "cummin", etc., require a specific process of the understanding to convert them into spiritual food, as the various kinds of grain require to be threshed by different implements. But this process of threshing is only a means to an end. It is not sufficient fully to understand the knowledge of what is True and Good; it must be loved and practised also; and the object of the divine Text is to teach the necessity of this in order to salvation, and in order to show that it is man's duty to acknowledge that the entire work is the Lord's. (Verse 29.) That "horsemen", in verse 28, have relation, by correspondence, to the understanding, see Chapter 31:1, the Exposition.]

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Isaiah Chapter 28

1. Woe to the crown of pride, to the drunkards of Ephraim, and to the fading flower of their glorious beauty! to those that are at the bead of the fat valley, that are overcome with wine!

2. Behold, a mighty one, a strong one from the Lord! like a storm of hail, like a tempest of slaughter, like a flood of mighty waters overflowing, He shall cast them to the earth with His hand.

3. The crown of pride, the drunkards of Ephraim, shall be trodden under feet:

4. And the fading flower of their glorious beauty, which is upon the head of the fat valley, shall be as the early fruit before the summer; which one looks at, and while it is yet in his hand, he swallows it.

5. In that day shall Jehovah of Hosts be for a crown of glory, and for a diadem of beauty, unto the remnant of His people:

6. And for a spirit of judgment to him that sits in judgment; and for strength to them that turn the battle from the gate.

7. But these also have erred through wine, and through strong drink they have reeled; the priest and the prophet have erred through strong drink; they are swallowed up with wine; they have reeled through strong drink; they have erred in vision, they have stumbled in judgment:

8. For all tables are full of vomit and filthiness; no place [is clean].

9. Whom should He teach knowledge? and whom should He make to understand doctrine? Those that are weaned from the milk, that are withdrawn from the breasts.

10. For it is precept upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little:

11. Therefore with a stammering lip and in another tongue will He speak unto this people.

12. To whom He said, This is the rest which you shall give unto the weary; and this is the refreshment: but they would not hear.

13. Therefore shall the Word of Jehovah be indeed unto them precept upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little: but they will go on, and fall backward; and be broken, and ensnared, and caught.

14. Wherefore hear you the word of Jehovah, you scornful men, who rule this people in Jerusalem:

15. Because you have said, We have made a covenant with death; and with hell have we made a vision: the overflowing scourge, when it passes through, shall not reach us; for we have made a lie our refuge, and under falsehood have we hid ourselves.

16. Wherefore thus says the Lord Jehovih, Behold, I lay in Zion for a foundation, a stone, a tried stone, a precious corner [stone], a firm foundation: he that believes [in Him] shall not hasten [to flee].

17. And I will lay judgment to the line, and justice to the plummet: and the hail shall sweep away the refuge of a lie; and the hiding-place the waters shall overwhelm.

18. And your covenant with death shall be abolished; and your vision with hell shall not stand: when the overflowing scourge passes through, by it shall you be trodden down;

19. As soon as it passes through, it shall take you; for morning by morning shall it pass through, by day and by night; and it shall be a terror to understand the report [thereof].

20. For the bed is shorter than that [one] can stretch himself [on it]; and the covering narrower than that he can wrap himself [in it].

21. For as in Mount Perazim, Jehovah will arise; as in the valley of Gibeon, shall He be wroth: that He may do His work, His strange work; and effect His operation, His strange operation.

22. Wherefore, be you not mockers, lest your bonds be strengthened: for a consummation and decision have I heard, from the Lord Jehovih of Hosts, on the whole earth.

23. Give you ear, and hear My voice; attend, and hearken unto My speech.

24. Doth the ploughman plough the whole day that he may sow? doth he open and harrow his ground?

25. When he has made the face thereof even, doth not he cast abroad the fitches, and scatter the cummin, and sow the "wheat in the principal [place], and the barley in its appointed [place], and the spelt in the border thereof?

26. For his God doth instruct him to judgment, and doth teach him.

27. The fitches are not beaten out with the threshing-sledge, nor is the wheel of the cart made to turn about upon the cummin: but the fitches are beaten out with the staff: and the cummin with a rod;

28. Bread [corn] is bruised; but not for ever will he continue to thresh it, nor to break it with the wheel of his cart, nor to bruise it [with] his horsemen.

29. This also proceeds from Jehovah of Hosts, who is wonderful in counsel, and great in wisdom.

374. Verse 6. A measure of wheat for a denarius, and three measures of barley for a denarius, signifies that the genuine good of the church, as also the genuine truth of the church, is of no account to them. This is evident from the signification of "measure" [choenix] (which was the Greek measure for wheat and barley), as being the quality of estimation, for "measures" in the Word (as was said in the article above), signify the quality of a thing in respect to good and in respect to truth. It is evident also from the signification of "wheat," as being the good of the church in general (of which presently); also from the signification of "barley," as being the truth of that good (of which presently); and from the signification of "a denarius," the standard of estimation, as being as of no account. Because this was the smallest coin, it signifies the least worth, but here as of no account. The reason for this is that "the red horse" (mentioned above), signifies the understanding of the Word destroyed in respect to good, and "the black horse" the understanding of the Word destroyed in respect to truth (See above, n. 364, 372); and when the understanding of the Word in respect to good and in respect to truth has been destroyed, then the genuine good and the genuine truth of the church are estimated as of no account. The "denarius" is here taken as the standard of estimation, because some piece of money must be taken that some price may be expressed in the sense of the letter, since it is said that "a balance was in the hand of him that sat upon the horse," and that "the wheat and the barley were measured;" consequently the smallest coin of all was taken as the standard of the estimation of the price; and as there was no longer any understanding of the Word in respect to good and in respect to truth, a "denarius" in the spiritual sense here signifies as of no account.

[2] It is said, "a measure of wheat and three measures of barley," because "one" is predicated of good, and "three" of truths; and "one," when predicated of good, signifies what is perfect, thus also what is genuine; and "three," when predicated of truths, signifies what is full, thus also what is genuine; consequently "a measure of wheat and three measures of barley" signify the genuine good and the genuine truth of the church. "Wheat" signifies good, and "barley" its truth, because all things belonging to the field signify the things that belong to the church; and things belonging to the field, as crops of various kinds, serve for food; and things for food and for the nourishment of the body signify in the spiritual sense such things as nourish the soul or mind, all of which have relation to the good of love and the truth of faith; thus especially wheat and barley, because bread is made from them. (That foods of every kind signify spiritual food, thus the things of knowledge, intelligence, and wisdom, consequently the good and truth from which these are, see Arcana Coelestia 3114, 4459, 5147, 5293, 5340, 5342, 5410, 5426, 5576, 5582, 5588, 5655, 5915, 8408, 8562, 9003. Of "bread" in general, see the work on The New Jerusalem, n. 218; that "field" signifies the church, seeArcana Coelestia 2971, 3766, 9139.)

That "wheat" and "barley" have such a signification is from correspondence, as is evident from the things that appear in the spiritual world, where all appearances are correspondences. There plains, fields, crops of various kinds, and also bread appear; from this is the knowledge that they are correspondences, and consequently that they have significations according to correspondences.

[3] That "wheat" and "barley" signify the good and truth of the church, "wheat" its good, and "barley" its truth, can be seen also from the passages in the Word where they are mentioned, as from the following. In Jeremiah:

Jehovah, who hath dispersed Israel, will bring him together and will keep him as a shepherd doth his drove; for Jehovah hath ransomed Jacob, and hath redeemed him out of the hand of him that was stronger than he. Therefore shall they come and sing aloud in the height of Zion, and shall flow together unto the good of Jehovah, to the wheat, to the new wine, and to the oil, and to the sons of the flock, and of the herd; and their soul shall become as a watered garden (Jeremiah 31:10-12).

This treats of the establishment of a new church; "Israel" and "Jacob" signify that church, "Israel" the internal spiritual church, and "Jacob" the external; for every church is internal and external. Its establishment is described by "Jehovah will bring him together and will keep him as a shepherd doth his drove, for He hath ransomed Jacob, and hath redeemed him out of the hand of him that was stronger than he;" "to redeem" signifies to reform (See above, n. 328; "out of the hand of him that was stronger than he" signifies out of evil and falsity, which before had possession; the internal joy or joy of heart arising from celestial good and truths therefrom that such have, is signified by "therefore shall they come and sing aloud in the height of Zion, and shall flow together unto the good of Jehovah, to the wheat, to the new wine, and to the oil, and to the sons of the flock and of the herd," "to sing in the height of Zion" signifying internal celestial joy, or such as is in the Lord's celestial kingdom, "to sing aloud" meaning that joy (See above, n. 326, "height" what is internal, and "Zion" the celestial kingdom; "wheat" signifies the good of the natural man, "new wine" its truth; "oil" the good of the spiritual man, "the sons of the flock" spiritual truths, and "the sons of the herd" natural truths; because these are what are signified they are called "the good of Jehovah." That such have intelligence and wisdom from this source is signified by "their soul shall become as a watered garden," for "garden" in the Word signifies intelligence, and "watered" continual growth. "Wheat," "new wine," "oil," "the sons of a flock and of the herd," are plainly not here meant, for it is said, "Jehovah hath ransomed Jacob, and their soul shall become as a watered garden. "

[4] In Joel:

The field was devastated, the ground mourned; for the corn was devastated, the new wine was dried up, the oil languished. The husbandmen were ashamed, the vine-dressers howled for the wheat and for the barley, because the harvest of the field hath perished (Joel 1:10, 11).

This is not said of a field and its barrenness, but of the church and its vastation; therefore "field," "ground," "corn," "new wine," and "oil" do not mean these things themselves, but "field" and "ground" mean the church, "field" the church in relation to the reception and bringing forth of truth and good, and "ground" the church in respect to the nation that is in it; "corn" means good of every kind in the external man; "new wine" the truth also therein; "oil" the good in the internal man; "the husbandmen that were ashamed," and "the vine-dressers that howled for the wheat and for the barley" signify those who are of the church, "wheat" and "barley" signifying the good and truth of the church; and "the harvest of the field that thus perished" signifying all worship from good and truth.

[5] In Jeremiah:

Upon all the heights in the wilderness the devastators have come; because the sword of Jehovah devoureth from the end of the land even to the end of the land; no flesh hath peace. They have sown wheat and have reaped thorns (Jeremiah 12:12-13).

This, too is said of the church and its vastation; "the heights in the wilderness upon which the devastators have come" signify that every good of charity has perished through evils and falsities, "heights" in the Word signifying where there is the good of charity, and in an abstract sense that good itself, "wilderness" signifies where there is no good because no truth, and "devastators" signify the evils and falsities through which good and truth perish; "the sword of Jehovah devoureth from the end of the land even to the end of the land" signifies falsity destroying all things of the church, "the sword devouring" meaning falsity destroying, and "from the end of the land even to the end of the land" signifying all things of the church; "no flesh hath peace" signifies that there is no longer internal rest, because of the dominion of evil and falsity; "they have sown wheat and have reaped thorns" signifies that instead of the goods of truth there are the evils of falsity, "wheat" meaning the goods of truth, and "thorns" the evils of falsity.

[6] In the same:

Ishmael, who was of the seed of the kingdom, slew Gedaliah, whom the king of Babylon had appointed over the land, and all the Jews who were with him, and the Chaldeans, also the men from Shechem, from Shiloh, and from Samaria; but ten men were found among them who said unto Ishmael, Put us not to death, for we have things hid in the field, wheat and barley, and oil and honey. So he forbare, and put them not to death (Jeremiah 41:1-8).

These historical statements describe, in the internal sense, the damnation of those who profane holy things; for "Gedaliah, whom the king of Babylon appointed over the land," and "the Jews who were with him," and "the Chaldeans," and "the men from Shechem, from Shiloh, and from Samaria," mean those who profane, and in the abstract sense, profanations of every kind, "the king of Babylon" signifying the profanation of good and truth. Their damnation is signified by their being put to death, for "to be put to death" signifies to be slain spiritually (See n. 315; but "the ten men who said to Ishmael, put us not to death for we have things hid in the field, wheat and barley, and oil and honey," mean those who have not profaned the holy things of the church, because inwardly they have good and truth; for those who profane have nothing of good and truth inwardly, but only outwardly when they speak and preach, while those who do not profane have good and truth inwardly; this is meant by their saying that "they have things hid in the field, wheat, barley, oil, and honey," "wheat and barley" signifying the goods and truths of the external man, "oil" the good of the internal man, and "honey" the delight thereof; "ten men" signify all who are such, "ten" signifying all persons and all things; that "he forbare and put them not to death" signifies that they were not profane, thus not damned; "Ishmael" represents those who are in the genuine truths of the church, which is also signified by "the seed of the kingdom," of which he was. Such are the things involved in this history, the histories in the Word equally with the prophecies having an internal sense.

[7] In Moses:

Jehovah thy God bringeth thee into a good land, a land of brooks of water, of fountains and depths going forth in valley and mountain; a land of wheat and barley, and of vine, and fig-tree, and pomegranate; a land of oil olive and honey (Deuteronomy 8:7-8

In the sense of the letter this is a description of the land of Canaan, but in the spiritual sense the Lord's church is described, since this is meant in that sense by "the land of Canaan;" and all kinds of good and truth pertaining to the church are enumerated. The land is called "a land of brooks of water," because "brooks of water" signify the doctrinals of truth; "fountains and depths going forth in valley and mountain" signify interior and exterior truths from the Word, "fountains," interior truths therefrom, and "depths" exterior truths. The latter are said to go forth "out of the valley," because "a valley" signifies what is lower and exterior, where such truths are; and the former are said "to go forth out of the mountain," because a "mountain" signifies what is higher and interior, where truths of that kind are; "a land of wheat and barley, and of vine and fig-tree, and pomegranate," signifies the church in respect to good and truth of every kind, "wheat and barley" signifying good and truth from a celestial origin, "vine and fig-tree" good and truth from a spiritual origin, and "pomegranate" knowledges of good and truth; and "a land of oil olive and honey" signifies the church in respect to the good of love and its enjoyment. One who does not know the spiritual sense of the Word believes no otherwise than that this merely describes the land of Canaan; but in that case the Word would be merely natural, and not spiritual, and yet the Word everywhere is in its bosom spiritual, and it is spiritual when by these words are understood the spiritual things they signify, namely, goods and truths of every kind. (But what "brooks," "fountains," "depths," "valley," "mountain," "vine," "fig-tree," "pomegranate," "olive," "oil" and "honey" signify is shown in Arcana Coelestia, all of which would be too extended to cite here; but many of these things have been shown and will be shown in this explanation of Revelation, and these may be consulted in their places.)

[8] In Job:

If I have eaten the strength (of the earth) without silver, and have made the soul of its [masters] to expire, let the thorn come forth instead of wheat, and the wild vine instead of barley (Job 31:39-40).

"To eat the strength of the earth without silver" signifies to appropriate to oneself the good of the church without the truth, "earth" meaning the church, and "silver" truth; and "to make the soul of its [masters] to expire" signifies thus to empty out the spiritual life; "let the thorn come forth instead of wheat, and the wild vine instead of barley" signifies that evil will be held for good, and falsity for truth, "wheat" meaning good, "thorn" evil, "barley" truth, and "wild vine" falsity; for good can be acquired only by means of truths.

[9] In Isaiah:

I have heard a consummation and decision from the Lord Jehovih of Hosts upon the whole earth. Will the ploughman plough all day for sowing? will he open and harrow his ground? when he hath made plain the faces thereof doth he not scatter the fennel? and doth he not put in the measured wheat and the appointed barley and the appointed spelt? Thus doth he chasten him for judgment, his God doth instruct him (Isaiah 28:22, 24-26).

This in the spiritual sense describes the total destruction of the church with the Jewish and Israelitish nation, and teaches that it is of no avail to learn and know the Word except for the purpose of applying its good and truth to the use of life; from this source and no other is intelligence from the Lord. That the church with that nation was wholly destroyed is meant by "I have heard a consummation and decision from the Lord Jehovih of Hosts upon the whole earth," "consummation and decision" meaning the complete destruction, and "the whole earth," the whole church, that is, every thing of it; that it is of no avail to learn and know the Word is signified by "will the ploughman plough all day for sowing? Will he open and harrow his ground?" "to plough for sowing" meaning to learn, and "to harrow the ground" meaning to deposit in the memory. That the good and truth of the Word should be applied to the use of life is signified by "when he hath made plain the faces thereof, doth he not scatter the fennel, and put in the measured wheat and the appointed barley and the appointed spelt?" "When he hath made plain the faces of the ground he scattereth the fennel" signifies when there is preparation by the Word; "the measured wheat and the appointed barley and the appointed spelt" signify the application of good and truth to the use of life, "wheat" meaning good, "barley" truth, and "spelt" knowledges; and that from this source and no other is intelligence from the Lord is signified by "thus doth he chasten for judgment, his God doth instruct him," "judgment" signifying intelligence, and "his God doth instruct him" signifying that it is from the Lord.

[10] In Moses:

Jehovah made him ride upon the high places of the earth, and fed him with the increase of the fields; He made him to suck honey out of the cliff, and oil out of the flint of the rock; butter of the herd and milk of the flock, with the fat of lambs, and of rams, the sons of Bashan, and of he-goats, with the fat of the kidneys of wheat; and thou drinkest the blood of grapes, unmixed wine (Deuteronomy 32:13-14).

This is said of the Ancient Church established by the Lord after the flood, which was in intelligence and wisdom, because it was in the good of charity and in the faith therefrom. This intelligence and wisdom from the Lord is signified by "Jehovah made him to ride upon the high places of the earth, and fed him with the increase of the fields;" the celestial and spiritual goods that they received through truths are described by "He made him to suck honey out of the cliff, and oil out of the flint of the rock; butter of the herd and milk of the flock, with the fat of lambs, and of rams, the sons of Bashan, and of he-goats, with the fat of the kidneys of wheat; and thou drinkest the blood of grapes, unmixed wine," "wheat" signifying here in a general sense all good, and "blood of grapes" and "unmixed wine" all truth therefrom.

[11] In David:

O that My people would hearken unto Me, and Israel would walk in My ways! I would feed ¹ them with the fat of wheat; and with honey out of the rock I would satisfy them (Psalms 81:13, 16).

"Fat of wheat," and "honey out of the rock with which they would be fed and satisfied" signify good of every kind from celestial good and enjoyment thereof from the Lord; for "fat" signifies celestial good, "wheat" good of every kind, "honey" the enjoyment of good, and "rock" the Lord. That those who live according to the Lord's commandments will possess these things is meant by "O that My people would hearken unto me, and Israel would walk in My ways!" "Ways" in the Word signifying truths and also commandments, and "to walk" signifying to live.

[12] In the same:

Celebrate Jehovah, O Jerusalem; praise thy God, O Zion. For He strengtheneth the bars of thy gates, He blesseth thy sons in the midst of thee. He maketh thy border peace, and satisfieth thee with the fat of wheat (Psalms 147:12-14).

"Jerusalem" and "Zion" mean the church; "Jerusalem" the church in respect to the truths of doctrine, and "Zion" the church in respect to the goods of love; "He maketh thy border peace" signifies all things of heaven and the church, for "border" signifies all these things; "He satisfieth thee with the fat of wheat" signifies with every good of love and with wisdom, "fat" signifying the good of love, and "wheat" all things from it, which are goods because they are from good; these things being signified, it is said, "the fat of wheat."

[13] In Hosea:

Jehovah said to the prophet, Go yet, love a woman beloved of her companion, and an adulteress, even as the love of Jehovah to the sons of Israel, who regard other gods, and love flagons of grapes. And I bought her to me for fifteen pieces of silver, and for a homer of barley, and a half homer of barley (Hosea 3:1-2).

This represented what the Jewish and Israelitish church was in respect to doctrine and worship, namely that by vain traditions it had falsified all things of the Word, though worshiping it as holy; "a woman beloved of her companion, and an adulteress whom the prophet should love" signifies such a church, "a woman" signifying the church, and "beloved of her companion and an adulteress" the falsification of truth and the adulteration of good; "even as the love of Jehovah to the sons of Israel, who regard other gods" signifies the falsities of doctrine and the evils of worship; these are signified by "regarding other gods;" "loving flagons of grapes" signifies the Word in the sense of the letter alone, for "wine" signifies the truths of doctrine from the Word, "grapes" its goods from which are truths, and "a flagon" signifies that which contains, thus the ultimate sense of the Word, which is the sense of the letter, and which they apply to their falsities and evils. "He bought her to him for fifteen pieces of silver" signifies for a small price, "fifteen" meaning very little; "a homer of barley" and "half a homer of barley" signifying so little of good and truths as to be scarcely any.

[14] In Matthew:

John said of Jesus, He shall baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire; whose fan is in His hand, and He will thoroughly purge His floor; and will gather the wheat into the garner; but the chaff He will burn with unquenchable fire (Matthew 3:11-12).

"To baptize with the Holy Spirit and with fire" signifies to reform the church and to regenerate the man of the church by means of Divine truth and Divine good; "to baptize" signifying to reform and to regenerate, "the Holy Spirit" Divine truth proceeding from the Lord, and "fire" the Divine good of His Divine love. "The wheat that He will gather into the garner" signifies good of every kind that is of heavenly origin, which He is to preserve to eternity, thus those who are in good; and "the chaff that He will burn with unquenchable fire" signifies falsity of every kind that is of infernal origin, which He is to destroy, thus those who are in falsity; and because "wheat," "garner," and "chaff" are mentioned, "fan" and "floor" are also mentioned, "fan" signifying separation, and "floor" signifying where separation is effected.

[15] In the same:

Jesus said, The kingdom of the heavens is like unto a man that sowed good seed in his field; but while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares, and went away. But when the blade sprang up, and brought forth fruit, then appeared the tares also. And the servants of the householder coming said unto him, Lord, didst thou not sow good seed in thy field? whence then hath it tares? Then he said unto them, A man, an enemy hath done this. But the servants said, wilt thou then that we going out gather them up? But he said, Nay; lest haply while ye gather up the tares, ye root up at the same time the wheat with them. Let both grow together until the harvest; and in the season of harvest I will say to the reapers, Gather ye first the tares and bind them in bundles to burn them, but gather the wheat into my barn (Matthew 13:24-30).

What these words involve is very clear from the spiritual sense, for the particulars here are correspondences. For when the Lord was in the world, He spoke by pure correspondences, because He spoke from the Divine. Here the Last Judgment is treated of when there must be a separation of the good from the evil, and the good are to come into heaven, and the evil into hell. "The good seed in the field that the man sowed" signifies the truths of the church that are from good, "field" signifying the church where these are, and "sowing" signifying influx and reception, thus also instruction; "the man who sowed" means the Lord through the Word, in which are all the truths of the church; "while men slept his enemy came and sowed tares, and went away," signifies that with natural men the falsities of evil flow in from hell, and are received; for "to sleep" signifies to live a natural life separated from the spiritual life (See above 187), and "enemy" signifies hell, and "tares" signify the evils of falsity. What the remainder to the end signifies, can be seen from what is presented in the small work on The Last Judgment 70); for it involves arcana that are there explained; here it need only be said that "wheat" signifies the good of truth, and therefore those who are in good through truths; and that "tares" signify the evil of falsity, and therefore those who are in evil through falsities. That these things are said of the Last Judgment is evident from what follows in the same chapter, where it is said:

He that soweth the good seed is the Son of man; the field is the world; the seed are the sons of the kingdom; the tares are the sons of the evil one; the enemy is the devil; the harvest is the consummation of the age (Matthew 13:37-39).

"The consummation of the age" is the last time of the church when judgment takes place. From these passages quoted from the Word it can be seen that "wheat" signifies the good of the church in general, and "barley" its truth.

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