9861. Foursquare it shall be, doubled. That this signifies what is righteous and perfect, is evident from the signification of “foursquare,” as being what is righteous (see n. 9717). That it also means what is perfect, is because it was doubled, and that which is doubled involves all things of good and all things of truth. That which is on the right side involves the good from which is truth, and that which is on the left side involves the truth which is from good (n. 9495, 9604, 9736), thus the perfect conjunction of both is involved. It is also from this that “two” signifies conjunction (n. 8423), and also each and all things (n. 9166), as likewise what is full (n. 9103).

9717. The altar shall be foursquare. That this signifies thus what is righteous, is evident from the signification of “foursquare,” as being what is righteous (of which in what follows); and from the signification of “the altar,” as being a representative of the Lord, and of the worship of Him. Consequently by “the altar being foursquare” is signified what is righteous in the Lord, and consequently in worship. Worship is said to be “righteous” when the good and truth which are in it are from the Lord, and not from man; for what is righteous is from the Lord alone (see n. 9263). That “foursquare” denotes what is righteous, originates in the representatives in the other life. There, goods are presented as round, and the goods of the external man, which are called “righteous,” are presented as foursquare; but truths and rights are presented as linear and triangular. From this then it is that by “foursquare” is signified what is righteous, as also by “the altar of incense being foursquare” (Exodus 30:2), and by “the breastplate of judgment being a doubled square” (Exodus 28:16), and likewise by “the New Jerusalem being foursquare” (Revelation 21:16). The “New Jerusalem” here denotes the New Church of the Lord which is to succeed our present church; the external good of it, which is what is righteous, is signified by its being “foursquare.”