Arcana Coelestia#9487
9487. 'Two cubits and a half shall be its length' means all so far as good is concerned. This is clear from the meaning of 'two and a half' as much and as what is complete, and as all when this number has reference to something Divine (the reason why 'two and a half' means much and what is complete is that this number is similar in meaning to five, ten, a hundred, and a thousand, since twice two and a half makes five, twice five makes ten, and ten times ten makes a hundred; for doubles and multiples have a similar meaning to the simple numbers of which they are the products, 5291, 5335, 5708, 7973. For the meaning of 'five' as much and completeness, see 5708, 5956, 9102; likewise 'ten', 3107, 4638; also 'a hundred', 2636, 4400; and a thousand, 2575, 8715. So it is that when these numbers are used in reference to something Divine they mean all); and from the meaning of 'length' as good, dealt with in 1613, 8898.
[2] To say that 'length' in the Word means good and 'breadth' truth may seem to be like nonsense; nevertheless this is indeed what they mean. The reason why they do so is that all things without exception in the Word mean realities such as belong to heaven and to the Church, and so such as are connected with the good of love and with the truth of faith. No spatial dimensions such as 'length' and 'breadth' imply can be attributed to these; but instead of spatial dimensions the state of their essential being (esse), which is a state of good, and the resulting state of manifestation (existere), which is a state of truth, can be attributed to them. Furthermore in heaven spatial dimensions are appearances produced by those states, 4882, 9440. From all this it becomes clear that spiritual realities are meant by the measurements and dimensions given in Chapters 40-48 of Ezekiel, where a new temple and a new land are the subject. They are consequently meant here in Exodus, where the ark, the dwelling-place, the court, the tables there, and the altars are the subject. Such realities are in a similar way meant where the temple in Jerusalem is the subject, also when it says that the holy Jerusalem coming down from heaven was square, its breadth being as great as its length, Revelation 21:16; Zechariah 2:1-2. For 'Jerusalem' means a new Church, the character of its good being meant by the measurement of its length, and the character of its truth by that of its breadth.
[3] The fact that 'breadth' or 'broad place' means truth is plainly evident in David,
In distress I called on Jah; He answered me in a broad place. Psalms 118:5.
In the same author,
You have made my feet stand in a broad place. Psalms 31:8.
In Isaiah,
The outstretchings of Asshur's wings will fill the breadth of the land. Isaiah 8:8.
In Habakkuk,
I am rousing the Chaldeans, a bitter and hasty nation, marching 1 into the breadths of the earth. Habakkuk 1:6.
'Marching into the breadths of the earth', when said of the Chaldeans, means destroying the truths of faith.
脚注:
1. literally, walking
Psalms第90章
1
Lord, you have been our dwelling place for all generations.
2
Before the mountains were brought forth, before you had formed the earth and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting, you are God.
3
You turn man to destruction, saying, "Return, you children of men."
4
For a thousand years in your sight are just like yesterday when it is past, like a watch in the night.
5
You sweep them away as they sleep. In the morning they sprout like new grass.
6
In the morning it sprouts and springs up. By evening, it is withered and dry.
7
For we are consumed in your anger. We are troubled in your wrath.
8
You have set our iniquities before you, our secret sins in the light of your presence.
9
For all our days have passed away in your wrath. We bring our years to an end as a sigh.
10
The days of our years are seventy, or even by reason of strength eighty years; yet their pride is but labor and sorrow, for it passes quickly, and we fly away.
11
Who knows the power of your anger, your wrath according to the fear that is due to you?
12
So teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.
13
Relent, Yahweh! How long? Have compassion on your servants!
14
Satisfy us in the morning with your loving kindness, that we may rejoice and be glad all our days.
15
Make us glad for as many days as you have afflicted us, for as many years as we have seen evil.
16
Let your work appear to your servants; your glory to their children.
17
Let the favor of the Lord our God be on us; establish the work of our hands for us; yes, establish the work of our hands.
