THE EXPLANATION of Isaiah Chapter 65

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

1. I AM sought by those who asked not for Me; I am found by those who did not inquire after Me: I said, Behold Me! behold Me! unto a nation that was not called by My name.

VERSE 1. I said, Behold Me! unto a nation that was not called by My narne. - What is meant by being "called by a name", see above, Chapter 4:1; 26:8, the Exposition.

2. I have spread out My hands all the day to a rebellious people, who walk in a way that is not good, after their own thoughts;

Verses 2, 3. To "offer incense upon bricks", is to worship from things feigned and false [that is, from false doctrines], wherefore they are said to "'walk after their own thoughts." This is evident from the signification of "bricks" in the Word; for a "stone" signifies Truth, hence a "brick", because it is made by man, signifies what is false; for a brick is artificially made into a stone. This signification of "bricks" may be seen confirmed by consulting Isaiah 9:9, 10 (see the Exposition); Isaiah 65:2, 3; Nahum 3:14; Ezekiel 4:1. Arcana Coelestia 1296.

3. a people that provoke me to my face continually, sacrificing in gardens, and burning incense upon bricks;

Verses 3, 4. To "provoke Jehovah to anger before His faces, signifies to sin against the Truths and Goods of the Word, and to recede from the worship therein commanded; the "faces of Jehovah" are the things revealed in the Word.

By "sacrificing in gardens, and offering incense upon bricks", is understood worship from falsities of doctrine, which are from self-derived intelligence; "gardens" signify intelligence, in this case self-derived, and "bricks" denote the falsities from that intelligence; and to "sacrifice" and "offer incense" is worship. That the ancients performed divine worship in "gardens" and in "groves", according to the signification of the trees therein, but that this was prohibited with the Israelitish nation, lest they should frame to themselves a worship from the proprium, may be seen in the Arcana Coelestia 2722, 4552.

To "sit in sepulchres", signifies to be in filthy loves; to "pass the night in waste places." is to remain and to live in falsities, - "waste places" denoting where there are no Truths; and to "eat the flesh of swine", signifies to appropriate to themselves infernal evils, Apocalypse Explained 324. See also Apocalypse Explained 659.

As to the meaning of a "garden", see above, Chapter 1:30, 31; 51:3; 58:11; 61:11, the Exposition. For the signification of "bricks", see Chapter 9:9, 10, the Exposition.

4. that sit among the graves, and lodge in the secret places; that eat swine's flesh, and broth of abominable things is in their vessels;

5. that say, Stand by yourself, come not near to me, for I am holier than you. These are a smoke in my nose, a fire that burns all the day.

Verse 4. By "sepulchres" or "tombs" are signified things unclean, consequently, also, infernal; hence it is evident why "the possessed by devils", in Matthew 8:28, were "in the tombs", namely, because they who possessed them had, during their abode in the world, been in falsities derived from evil, or in knowledges derived from the Word, which they had made dead by applying them to confirm evils, and also to destroy the genuine Truths of the church, especially the Truths concerning the Lord, the Word, and concerning the life after death, which dead knowledges are in the Word called "traditions."

Hence it was that they who were possessed by such were "in the tombs", and the devils were afterwards "cast out into the swine, which ran headlong into the sea."

The reason why they were "cast out into the swine" was because, whilst they had lived in the world, they were in filthy avarice, for such avarice corresponds to "swine"; the reason why "they ran headlong into the sea" was, because, the "sea" signifies hell. Apocalypse Explained 659.

Who eat the flesh of swine. - [That "swine's flesh" was, on account of the above correspondence, forbidden to be eaten, see Leviticus 11:7. Hence also it is that an unconverted and unregenerate man is said to be, as in the case of the prodigal son, a " feeder of swine." See Luke 15:15.]

In whose vessels is the sop of abominable things" -[This "sop (or these pieces) of abominable things" signify the infernal falsities which correspond to the evils denoted by "the flesh of the swine", which "abominable things" mean the frauds and illicit gains of all kinds, together with the lies attending these evils, which minister to the cupidities of avarice, signified specifically by "swine's flesh."]

Verse 5. These are the words of such as justify themselves; for they think themselves holier than those who have faith in God Messiah. That the things which turn away the face from God Messiah are expressed here by "smoke in the nose" and by "fire" [is evident]. (Swedenborg's Notes on Isaiah, p. 135.)

6. Behold, it is written before me: I will not keep silence, but will recompense, yea, I will recompense into their bosom,

7. your own iniquities, and the iniquities of your fathers together, says Jehovah, that have burned incense upon the mountains, and blasphemed me upon the hills; therefore will I first measure their work into their bosom.

Verses 6, 7. The "bosom" signifies love, for the things of the "bosom" or "breast" correspond to love; the "heart" is there, which corresponds to celestial love, and also the "lungs", which correspond to spiritual love; and since the "bosom" hence corresponds to love, by it is also signified the proprium, for "man's proprium is that which is of his love; thus to "requite into their bosom " signifies into themselves. Arcana Coelestia 6960.

The iniquities of your fathers, etc. - That by "father", when mentioned in the Word, is signified Good, and, in the supreme sense, the Lord Himself, see above, Chapter 51:2, the Exposition; and, in the opposite, that by "father" is meant evil, is evident from Chapter 60:7.

[To "offer incense upon the mountains" is worship from self-love, that is, with a view to honour, gain, and power, or to some earthly advantage, and not with a view to heavenly Good and the salvation of the soul. That "mountains " and "high hills", where they offered worship in opposition to the divine command, signified the evils of self-love, and the love of the world, see above, Chapter 2:12-17, the Exposition; which worship is said to "blaspheme (or disgrace) the Lord."]

8. Thus says Jehovah, As the new wine is found in the cluster, and one says, Destroy it not, for a blessing is in it: so will I do for my servants' sake, that I may not destroy them all.

Verse 8. That "grapes", in the Word, signify charity and the things of charity, and that "wine" signifies faith thence derived, may appear from the following passages: - Isaiah 5:1, 2, 4 (see the Exposition); also Isaiah 65:8, where the "cluster" signifies charity, and the "new wine" the Goods of charity and the Truths thence derived; see also (Jeremiah 8:13; Hosea 9:10; Micah 7:1. Arcana Coelestia 1071. See also Arcana Coelestia 5117.

["Destroy it not" signifies that, at the period of Judgment in the world of spirits, those who as "remains" have any charity in them are to be separated from the evil like the "sheep" from the "goats", and saved. As to "remains" or "remnants", see above, Chapter 1:9, the Exposition.]

9. And I will bring forth a seed out of Jacob, and out of Judah an inheritor of my mountains; and my chosen shall inherit it, and my servants shall dwell there.

10. And Sharon shall be a fold of flocks, and the valley of Achor a place for herds to lie down in, for my people that have sought me.

Verse 9. By "Jacob" and by "Judah" are not here understood a people out of Jacob, and a nation out of Judah, but the church to be established by the Lord, - by "Jacob" the church which is in the Good of life, and by "Judah" the church which is in the Good of love to the Lord; consequently, by "Jacob" the external church, and by "Judah" the internal church.

By "seed" is meant charity and faith; and by "mountains" are understood the Goods of love. They who are in charity are called the "elect", and they who are in Truths from the Good of love are called "servants"; wherefore it is said that "the elect shall possess it, and My servants shall dwell there." Apocalypse Explained 433. See also Apocalypse Explained 405.

By "Judah an inheritor of My mountains"; in the supreme sense, is understood the Lord; and, in a representative sense, those who are in love to Him, thus in the Good both of love to the Lord, and of charity to the neighbour. That "mountains" signify these Goods, has been frequently shown. Arcana Coelestia 3654.

Mine elect shall possess it. - Those are called the "elect" who, after a separation is made between the good and the evil, are elevated into heaven; those who have done evil are rejected, but those who have done good are elected. In this sense the "elect" are mentioned in Isaiah 65:9, 15, 22. (Swedenborg's Dicta Probantia, p. 82.)

Verses 9, 10. By "Jacob" and by" Judah" are not understood the people of Jacob and Judah; but the celestial church both external and internal, - by "Jacob" the external, and by "Judah" the internal.

The internal Good of that church is signified by "the fold [or habitation] for the flock"; and the external by "the resting-place for the herd"; "Sharon" is the internal where that Good is; and "the valley of Achor" is the external.

That "Sharon" is the internal of the celestial church, is evident from those passages where "Sharon" is named, as in Isaiah 33:9; 35:2. (See the Exposition.)

That "the valley of Achor" is the external of that church, may be seen from Hosea 2:15, [where Achor is called "a door of hope", which door is as the external of a house in relation to its internal.]

In Hosea we read that "Israel, Ephraim, and Judah shall go with their flocks and with their herds to seek Jehovah, and shall not find Him"; (Hosea 5:5-6) where also "flocks" and "herds" signify the interior and the exterior things with those who are understood by "Israel", "Ephraim", and "Judah." What otherwise could be meant by "their going with their flocks and her to seek Jehovah"? Arcana Coelestia 10610.

11. But you that forsake Jehovah, that forget my holy mountain, that prepare a table for Fortune [Gad], and that fill up mingled wine unto Destiny [Meni];

Verse 11. To "forsake Jehovah", is to be in evils of life; to "forget the mountain of holiness", is to be in things opposed to love and charity, for the "mountain of holiness" signifies love to the Lord. Arcana Coelestia 3052.

Who prepare a table for Gad. - By "Gad" is understood, in the spiritual sense, the Good of life, for each of the twelve "tribes" had, its own spiritual signification; the Good of life is also use, and, in the natural sense, good works. There are three things which cannot be separated, namely, love, wisdom, and the use of Life, or charity, faith, and good works; for if one is separated, the others fall to the ground, as may be seen in the work on the Angelic Wisdom concerning the Divine Love and Wisdom 241, 297, 316.

That by "Gad" is signified the use of life, which is also called "fruit", is evident from his being named from a term which in Hebrew signifies a "troop", or a "heap"; (see Genesis 30:10, 11) and also from the benediction of Israel his father; (Genesis 49:19) and from his benediction by Moses; (Deuteronomy 33:20, 21) and also from his inheritance; (Numbers 32:1, to the end) and also from his signification in an opposite sense, as in Isaiah 65:11; (Jeremiah 49:1, 2.

By "Gad", therefore, in a good sense, are signified works proceeding from Good, or from genuine love to the Lord and the neighbour; but by "Gad", in the opposite sense, are signified works merely external, which are not of charity, but of faith only; thus by "Gad", in a bad sense, are signified those who place the whole of salvation in works only, as the Pharisee did who is mentioned in the Lord's parable. (Luke 18:11, 12)

In a word, by "Gad", in this case, are represented those who call that Truth which is not Truth, and from that which is not Truth do works; hence their works are as though they were true, for works are nothing else than the will and the understanding in act; that which saves such persons is the intention of doing good, and something of innocence in ignorance. To "prepare a table for Gad, in this passage, is to be in works only. Apocalypse Revealed 352. See also Arcana Coelestia 6405.

By a "table" is signified the receptacle of heavenly things, as "the Lord's table", which heavenly things are the Good of love and the Good of faith; thus the Lord says, "You shall eat and drink upon My table in My kingdom." (Luke 22:30. See also Psalm 23:4-6)

But a "table", in the opposite sense, signifies the receptacle of such things as are in hell, as in Isaiah:

"For all tables are full of vomit", etc.; (Isaiah28:7, 8) and also in Isaiah 65:11. Arcana Coelestia 9527.

[To "prepare a table, therefore, for Gad", is, in worship, to place salvation in external works only, separate from charity and faith, and, by the apostle called "dead works", which are the works of the Pharisee, done "to be seen of men", (Matthew 6:2, 5, 16) and not for the glory of God, and for the purpose of eternal life.]

Who fill a drink-offering for Meni. - To "fill and pour forth a drink-offering" is, in a bad sense, to worship from the falsities of evil. (See above, Chapter 57:5, 6, 9, the Exposition.)

To "prepare a table for Gad", - is to place justice [or justification] in works; for "Gad" signifies a troop or a heap, which is involved in his name.

"Meni" is explained by "to number"; it was also an idol, which signifies the same; for a heap is applicable to a "table", and a number to a "libation" or a "drink-offering." (Swedenborg's Notes on Isaiah, p. 156.)

12. I will destine you to the sword, and you shall all bow down to the slaughter; because when I called, you did not answer; when I spake, you did not hear; but you did that which was evil in mine eyes, and chose that wherein I delighted not.

Verse 12. To "number" here answers to Meni (for this is from the term Manah, "to number", from which Meni is derived), and it expresses the law of retaliation [jus talionis]; to "bow down to the slaughter" answers to "the table of Gad", because they have not acknowledged the justice of Messiah. The words confirm this [signification]. (Swedenborg's Notes on Isaiah, p. 156.)

To the sword. - The "sword." here signifies the devastation of Truth; for a " sword" in the Word signifies, in the internal sense, the Truth of Faith combating, and also the devastation of Truth; and, in the opposite sense, the False combating, and the punishment of the False, as may be seen proved by many passages in Arcana Coelestia 2799.

13. Therefore thus says the Lord Jehovah, Behold, my servants shall eat, but you shall be hungry; behold, my servants shall drink, but you shall be thirsty; behold, my servants shall rejoice, but you shall be put to shame;

14. behold, my servants shall sing for joy of heart, but you shall cry for sorrow of heart, and shall wail for vexation of spirit.

Verses 13, 14. By being" hungry" and "thirsty" [as said of those who are not the Lord's servants] is understood to be deprived of the Good of love, and of the Truths of faith, - by being "hungry", to be deprived of the Good of love; and by being "thirsty", of the Truths of faith.

By "eating" and "drinking" is signified the communication and appropriation of Goods and Truths; and by "the servants of the Lord Jehovih", are meant those who receive Goods and Truths from the Lord. Hence it is evident what is meant by "Behold, My servants shall eat, but you shall be hungry; behold, My servants shall drink, but you shall be thirsty."

That the former will have eternal happiness, but the latter unhappiness, is understood by " Behold, My servants shall rejoice, but you shall be ashamed; behold, My servants shall sing from joy of heart, but you shall cry from sorrow of heart", etc. Apocalypse Explained 386.

Verses 13, 15. The Lord Jehovih -That the name "Jehovih", when mentioned in the Word, is applied to the Lord in respect to temptations and judgment, see Chapter 3:15, the Exposition and note.

15. And you shall leave your name for a curse unto my chosen; and the Lord Jehovah will slay you; and he will call his servants by another name:

Verse 15. His servants shall be called by another name. - To "call by a new name", and "by another name", denotes to give another state of life, namely, a state of spiritual life. Apocalypse Explained 148.

16. so that he who blesses himself in the earth shall bless himself in the God of truth; and he that swears in the earth shall swear by the God of truth; because the former troubles are forgotten, and because they are hid from mine eyes.

Verse 16. By "blessing himself" is signified to instruct himself in divine Truths, and to apply them to life; and by "swearing" is signified to instruct himself in divine Goods, and to apply them to life. The reason why this is signified by "swearing" is, because an "oath", in the internal sense, denotes confirmation with man, and conviction of a thing's being so, and this is effected from Goods by Truths; confirmation and conviction of Truths with man being from no other source than from Good. The subject here treated of is concerning a New Church; and by "calling them by another name", is signified the quality thereof as to Truth and Good. Apocalypse Explained 340.

[To "bless himself in the earth [or land]", is to receive the Truths and Goods of the church; for the church is signified by the "earth." See Chapter 24, the Exposition. ]

Inasmuch as the church instituted with the sons of Israel was a representative church, in which all things that were commanded were natural things, which represented, and thence signified, things spiritual, therefore it was granted them to "swear by Jehovah", and "by His name", likewise "by the holy things of the church", by which was represented, and thence signified, internal confirmation, and also verity, as may appear from the above words, and also in Jeremiah:

"Swear by the living Jehovah, in verity, in judgment, and in justice." (Jeremiah 4:2) Apocalypse Explained 608.

What is meant by "swearing", when predicated of Jehovah, and also of man, see Chapter 45:23, the Exposition.

17. For, behold, I create new heavens and a new earth; and the former things shall not be remembered, nor come into mind.

18. But be you glad and rejoice for ever in that which I create: for, behold, I will create Jerusalem a rejoicing, and her people a joy.

Verses 17, 18. By "creating new heavens an a new earth" is not understood the visible heaven and habitable earth, but a New Church, internal and external, - "heaven" denoting the internal of the church, and "earth" its external. What the internal of the church is, and what the external, may be seen in the Doctrine of the New Jerusalem 246. Wherefore it is said "Behold, I will create Jerusalem a rejoicing, and her people a joy"; "Jerusalem" denoting the church, "rejoicing" its delight from Good, and "joy" its delight from Truth. Similar things are signified by "the new heavens and the new earth" in Isaiah 66:22; and in the Apocalypse, Chapter 21:1; and also by these words in Genesis:

"In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth; and the earth was void and empty, and darkness upon the faces of the abyss; and the Spirit of God moved itself upon the faces of the waters, And God said, Let there be light! and there was light. And God created man in His own image, in the image of God created He him; male and female created He them." (Genesis 1:1, 2, 3, 27)

Treating of the establishment of the first church on this earth. The reformation of the men of that church, as to their internal and as to their external, is understood by "the creation of heaven and earth" in this chapter. That there was no church before, because men were without Good and Truth, is signified by "the earth being void and empty"; and that they were before in dense ignorance, and also in falsities, is meant by "the darkness upon the faces of the abyss"; their first illumination is signified by "the Spirit of God moving itself upon the faces of the waters", and by "God's saying, Let there be light! and there was light." By the "Spirit of God" is signified Divine truth proceeding from the Lord, and by "moving itself upon the faces of the waters" is meant illustration; the same is signified by "light"; and by "light being made" is signified the reception of Divine Truth.

That "God created man in his own image", signifies that he was the love of Good and of Truth, and corresponded to heaven as its likeness; for the love of Good and of Truth is an image of God, and hence also the angelic heaven is an image of God, wherefore, in the sight of the Lord, it is as One Man, as may be seen in the work concerning Heaven and Hell 59-102.

That "He created them male and female" signifies that He reformed them as to Truth and as to Good; "male" denotes Truth, and "female" Good. From these considerations it is evident that it is not the creation of heaven and earth [in a literal sense], but the "new creation", or reformation of the men of the first church, which is described in that and in the following chapter; and that similar things are there understood by "the creation of heaven and earth", as by "the creation of the new heavens and new earth", in the passages above adduced from the Prophet. Apocalypse Explained 294.

Verses 17, 18, 19, 25. Behold, I create new heavens and a new earth; and the former things shall not be remembered, etc. The wolf and the lamb shall feed together; - they shall not do evil in all the mountain of My holiness, etc. - Treating also of the Lord's advent, and of the church to be established by Him, which was not established among those who were in Jerusalem, but among those who were out of it; wherefore this church is meant by the "Jerusalem " which shall be unto the Lord a "rejoicing", and whose "people" shall be unto Him a "joy"; also where "the wolf and the lamb shall feed together", and where "they shall not do evil." It is likewise said here; as in the Apocalypse, that "the Lord will create new heavens and a new earth", and also that "He will create Jerusalem"; which things have a similar signification. Arcana Coelestia 1289.

19. And I will rejoice in Jerusalem, and I will joy in My people: and the voice of weeping shall no more be heard in her, nor the voice of crying.

Verse 19. The voice of weeping shall no more be heard in her, nor the voice of crying. - What "the voice of weeping shall no more be heard", signifies that there shall be no evil; "nor the voice of crying", that there shall be no false [principle]. Arcana Coelestia 2240.

That "crying", in the Word, is said of grief and the fear of falsities from hell, and the consequent fear of devastation by them, is evident from the above words. (Arcana Coelestia 1294)

What is meant by an "outcry", by "howling", and by "weeping", see Chapter 5:7; 15:3, the Exposition.

20. There shall be no more thence an infant of days, nor an old man that bath not fulfilled his days: for the youth shall die, the son of a hundred years; and the sinner, the son of a hundred years, shall be accursed.

Verse 20. That in this passage the term "hundred" signifies a full state, or fulness, as to the subject of which it is predicated, is evident, for it is said- "There shall be no more an infant of days, nor an old man that has not fulfilled his days; and a youth, and a sinner, the son of a hundred years", that is, when their state is full. That all "numbers", in the spiritual sense, signify things, may be seen above, Chapter 4:1, the Exposition. That a "hundred" signifies a full [or complete] state, may be demonstrated from various passages, as in Matthew:

"Every one who has left houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for My name's sake, shall receive a hundredfold, and shall inherit eternal life"; (Matthew 19:29; Mark 10:29, 30),

where "hundred-fold" denotes what is full, or "the good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over", spoken of in Luke 6:38.

So again in Luke:

"Other seed fell on good ground, and springing up, brought forth fruit a hundred-fold"; (Luke 8:8)

where "hundred" also denotes what is full, which number would not have been mentioned, unless it had that signification. The term "hundred" also signifies the fulness of remains. Arcana Coelestia 2636.

[When, therefore, it is said that "there shall be no more an infant (or suckling) of days, and an old man that has not fulfilled his days", it is meant that in that happy state of the church which is here described, there will he a full state of innocence, signified by "the infant fulfilling his days"; and also a full state of wisdom, by "the old man fulfilling his days"; thus both the "infant" and the "old man", taken together, involve a full state of the innocence of wisdom; for "days" and "years" signify states of the spiritual life.

When it is said that "the youth, the son of a hundred years, shall die", it is implied that a full state of intelligence, signified by the "youth", shall also exist in the church; for to "die", in this passage, does not, we apprehend, signify the "death of sin", which is damnation, but the "death unto sin", or the death of those corporeal and sensual things which are contrary to heavenly intelligence, that is, contrary to Truth from Good, which is spiritual intelligence.

Thus Swedenborg says, in his exposition of Psalm 116:15:

"Precious in the eyes of Jehovah is the death of His saints";

the death of the saints does not signify damnation, but the separation and removal of unclean spirits, thus regeneration and resurrection.

The case is similar with man, who, as to the body, must die that he may rise again, and as to his self hood, which in itself is infernal; for, unless the former and the latter die, man has not the form of heaven." (Apocalypse Explained 899)

"The sinner, the son of a hundred years, shall be accursed", signifies that all evil states or specifically the false of evil, when it has come to a full state, denoted by a hundred years, "shall be accursed", that is, entirely separated from what is Good and True, or from heaven, and condemned to hell which is to be "accursed"; for a "curse" signifies disjunction, or aversion from Good. (Arcana Coelestia 379, 1423, 3530)

It does not appear that Swedenborg has quoted this verse, but in Arcana Coelestia 2636 adduced above.]

The sinner, the son of a hundred years, shall be accursed. - To be "accursed", signifies to be turned away from what is celestial to what is corporeal, and thus to be separated from heaven. The Lord curses none, but is merciful to all. Arcana Coelestia 245, 379, 592, 3584.

21. And they shall build houses, and inhabit them; and they shall plant vineyards, and eat the fruit thereof.

Verses 21, 22. Everyone knows what is signified by these words in the sense of the letter, but inasmuch as the Word, in its bosom, is spiritual, spiritual things also are thereby understood, namely, such things as appertain to heaven and the church, for these are spiritual things.

By "building houses, and inhabiting them, is signified to fill the interiors of the mind with the Goods of heaven and of the church, and thereby to enjoy celestial life; "houses" denoting the interiors of the mind, and to "inhabit" signifies celestial life thence derived.

By "planting vineyards and eating the fruit thereof", is signified to enrich themselves with spiritual Truths, and to appropriate to themselves the Goods thence derived; "vineyards" denoting spiritual Truths, "fruit" the Goods thence derived, and to "eat" signifies to receive, perceive, and appropriate them; for all Good is appropriated to man by Truths, namely, by a life according to them.

Hence it may be evident what is signified by "they shall not build, and another inhabit; they shall not plant, and another eat"; "another" signifies the false and evil which destroy Truth and Good; for when Truths and Goods perish with man, falsities and evils enter.

Thus also in Jeremiah:

"Build you houses, and inhabit them; and plant gardens, and eat you the fruit of them"; (Jeremiah 29:5, 28) which words are to be understood in like manner. Apocalypse Explained 617.

22. They shall not build, and another inhabit; they shall not plant, and another eat: for as the days of a tree are the days of My people; and Mine elect shall long enjoy the work of their, hands.

Verse 22. As the days of a tree are the days of My people, etc. That a "tree" signifies a man, is plain from these passages in the Word:

"All the trees of the field shall know that Jehovah have brought down the high tree, have exalted the low tree, have dried up the green tree, and have made the dry tree to flourish." (Ezekiel 17:24)

"Blessed is the man whose delight is in the law of the Lord; he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that brings forth his fruit in his season." (Psalm 1:1, 3; (Jeremiah 17:8)

"Praise the Lord, you fruitful trees." (Psalm 148:9)

"The trees of the Lord are full of sap." (Psalm 104:16)

"The axe is laid unto the root of the trees; wherefore every tree which brings not forth good fruit is hewn down." (Matthew 3:10; 7:16-20)

"Either make the tree good, and his fruit good; or else make the tree corrupt, and his fruit corrupt: for the tree is known by his fruit." (Matthew 12:33; Luke 6:43, 44) True Christian Religion 468.

A man himself, with regard to all his constituent parts, is like a tree; in its seed there lie hid, as it were, an end, and intention, and purpose of producing fruits, in which respect the "seed" corresponds to man's will, which, as was observed, contains those three things; afterwards, the seed from its interior parts springs forth from the earth, and clothes itself with branches, buds, and leaves and thus provides itself with means adapted to its ends, which are fruits; and in this a "tree" corresponds with the man's understanding. Lastly, when the proper season arrives, and it is allowed free power of exertion and determination, it blossoms and produces "fruits", and in this it corresponds with the man's good works. Here it is evident that the "fruit" of the tree, in respect to essence, is of the "seed"; in respect to form, of the "branches" and "leaves"; and in respect to act, of the "wood " of the tree. True Christian Religion 374.

[The "days of the Lord's people" being, therefore, "as the days of a tree", implies that the regeneration of man is from the correspondence between things natural and spiritual, represented in the growth of a tree, - its buds, blossoms, leaves, and fruit.]

And Mine elect shall long enjoy the work of their hands. - That by the "elect" are not meant any who are predestined or chosen above others, but those who are in Good, and that it is very dangerous to believe in the doctrine of "predestination", see Chapter 14:1, the Exposition.

23. They shall not labour in vain, nor shall they bring forth for destruction; for they are the seed of the blessed of Jehovah, they and their offspring with them.

Verse 23. They are the seed of the blessed of Jehovah, they and their offspring with them. - By "the seed of the blessed of Jehovah", are so understood - those who will receive divine Truth from the Lord, and by "their offspring", are understood those who live according thereto; but, in the sense abstracted from persons, which is the genuine spiritual sense, by "seed" is understood divine Truth, and by "offspring" a life according thereto, according to what was shown above.

The reason why by "offspring" are understood those who live according to divine Truth, and, in the abstract sense, that life itself, is, because in the original tongue, the expression "offspring" [prognatus] is derived from a word which signifies "to go forth" and "to proceed", and that which goes forth and proceeds from the divine Truth received, is a life according to it. Apocalypse Explained 768.

24. And it shall be that before they call, I will answer; and while they are yet speaking, I will hear.

Verse 24. Before they call, I will answer. - To "answer" signifies to reciprocate and to be conjoined. See the Exposition of Isaiah Chapter 36:21.

25. The wolf and the lamb shall feed together, and the lion shall eat straw like the ox: but dust shall be the bread of the serpent.

They shall not do evil nor destroy in all the mountain of My holiness, says Jehovah.

Verse 25. The wolf and the lamb shall feed together; they shall not do evil, etc. - See above, Chapter 11:5, 6, the Exposition.

Dust shall be the bread of the serpent. - As "dust" signifies damnation, it was said to the serpent, "Upon your belly shalt you go, and dust shalt you eat all the days of your life." (Genesis 3:14)

By the "serpent" is signified the infernal evil with those who pervert the Truths of the Word, and thereby deceive artfully and craftily. In like manner in Isaiah "Dust shall be the bread of the serpent"; (Isaiah 65:21) from which it is evident that "dust" signifies what is accursed; and that to "cast dust upon the head", as in Revelation 18:19, is to testify condemnation. Apocalypse Explained 1175.

As to "dust", in a bad sense, see Chapter 2:10-21, 34:8-10; and, in a good sense, see Chapter 40:12, the Exposition.

They shall not do evil nor destroy in all the mountain of My holiness. - The "mountain of holiness" is heaven, and specifically the inmost heaven. Apocalypse Explained 314.

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Isaiah Chapter 65.

1. I AM sought by those who asked not for Me; I am found by those who did not inquire after Me: I said, Behold Me! behold Me! unto a nation that was not called by My name.

2. I have spread out My hands all the day to a rebellious people, who walk in a way that is not good, after their own thoughts;

3. a people that provoke me to my face continually, sacrificing in gardens, and burning incense upon bricks;

4. that sit among the graves, and lodge in the secret places; that eat swine's flesh, and broth of abominable things is in their vessels;

5. that say, Stand by yourself, come not near to me, for I am holier than you. These are a smoke in my nose, a fire that burns all the day.

6. Behold, it is written before me: I will not keep silence, but will recompense, yea, I will recompense into their bosom,

7. your own iniquities, and the iniquities of your fathers together, says Jehovah, that have burned incense upon the mountains, and blasphemed me upon the hills; therefore will I first measure their work into their bosom.

8. Thus says Jehovah, As the new wine is found in the cluster, and one says, Destroy it not, for a blessing is in it: so will I do for my servants' sake, that I may not destroy them all.

9. And I will bring forth a seed out of Jacob, and out of Judah an inheritor of my mountains; and my chosen shall inherit it, and my servants shall dwell there.

10. And Sharon shall be a fold of flocks, and the valley of Achor a place for herds to lie down in, for my people that have sought me.

11. But you that forsake Jehovah, that forget my holy mountain, that prepare a table for Fortune, and that fill up mingled wine unto Destiny;

12. I will destine you to the sword, and you shall all bow down to the slaughter; because when I called, you did not answer; when I spake, you did not hear; but you did that which was evil in mine eyes, and chose that wherein I delighted not.

13. Therefore thus says the Lord Jehovah, Behold, my servants shall eat, but you shall be hungry; behold, my servants shall drink, but you shall be thirsty; behold, my servants shall rejoice, but you shall be put to shame;

14. behold, my servants shall sing for joy of heart, but you shall cry for sorrow of heart, and shall wail for vexation of spirit.

15. And you shall leave your name for a curse unto my chosen; and the Lord Jehovah will slay you; and he will call his servants by another name:

16. so that he who blesses himself in the earth shall bless himself in the God of truth; and he that swears in the earth shall swear by the God of truth; because the former troubles are forgotten, and because they are hid from mine eyes.

17. For, behold, I create new heavens and a new earth; and the former things shall not be remembered, nor come into mind.

18. But be you glad and rejoice for ever in that which I create: for, behold, I will create Jerusalem a rejoicing, and her people a joy.

19. And I will rejoice in Jerusalem, and I will joy in My people: and the voice of weeping shall no more be heard in her, nor the voice of crying.

20. There shall be no more thence an infant of days, nor an old man that bath not fulfilled his days: for the youth shall die, the son of a hundred years; and the sinner, the son of a hundred years, shall be accursed.

21. And they shall build houses, and inhabit them; and they shall plant vineyards, and eat the fruit thereof.

22. They shall not build, and another inhabit; they shall not plant, and another eat: for as the days of a tree are the days of My people; and Mine elect shall long enjoy the work of their, hands.

23. They shall not labour in vain, nor shall they bring forth for destruction; for they are the seed of the blessed of Jehovah, they and their offspring with them.

24. And it shall be that before they call, I will answer; and while they are yet speaking, I will hear.

25. The wolf and the lamb shall feed together, and the lion shall eat straw like the ox: but dust shall be the bread of the serpent.

They shall not do evil nor destroy in all the mountain of My holiness, says Jehovah.

2799. 'And he took in his hand the fire and the knife' means the good of love and the truth of faith. This is clear from the meaning of 'the fire' as the good of love, dealt with in 934, and from the meaning of 'the knife' as the truth of faith. As regards 'the knife' used on the victims in sacrifices meaning the truth of faith, this may be seen from the meaning of 'a sword' or 'a small sword' in the Word, for the expression 'small sword' is used instead of 'knife'. Both have the same meaning, the only difference being that 'a knife' which was used on sacrificial victims meant the truth of faith, whereas 'a sword' meant truth engaged in conflict. Now since the word 'knife' occurs but rarely in the Word, for a hidden reason given below, ¹ let the meaning of 'a sword' be shown. In the internal sense 'a sword' means the truth of faith engaged in conflict, and also the vastation of truth; and in the contrary sense it means falsity engaged in conflict and the punishment of falsity.

[2] A sword means the truth of faith engaged in conflict This becomes clear from the following places: In David,

Gird Your sword on Your thigh, O Mighty One; prosper in Your glory and honour, ride on the word of truth, and Your right hand will teach You marvellous things. Psalms 45:3-4.

This refers to the Lord. 'Sword' stands for truth engaged in conflict. In the same author,

The merciful will exalt in glory, they will sing on their beds. The high praises of God will be in their throats and an extremely sharp sword in their hand. Psalms 149:5-6.

In Isaiah,

Jehovah called Me from the womb, from My mother's body ² He made mention of My name, and made My mouth like a sharp sword, and made Me into a polished arrow. Isaiah 49:1-2.

'A sharp sword' stands for truth engaged in conflict, 'a polished arrow' for the truth of doctrine, see 2686, 2709. In the same prophet,

Asshur will fall by a sword, not of man (vir); a sword, not of man (homo), will devour him; and he will flee before the sword, and his young men will become tributary. Isaiah 31:8.

'Asshur' stands for reasoning in Divine things, 119, 1186, 'a sword, not of man (vir)' and 'not of man (homo)' stand for falsity, 'the sword before which he will flee' stands for truth engaged in conflict.

[3] In Zechariah,

Turn to the stronghold, O prisoners of hope; even today I declare I will render double to you - I who have bent for Myself Judah as a bow, I have filled Ephraim, and have roused your sons, O Zion, against your sons, O Javan; and I will set you as the sword of one who is mighty, and Jehovah will appear over them, and His arrow will go forth like lightning. Zechariah 9:12-14.

'The sword of one who is mighty' stands for truth engaged in conflict. In John,

In the midst of the seven lampstands one like the Son of Man was holding in His right hand seven stars; out of His mouth a sharp two-edged sword was going forth, and His countenance was like the sun shining in full strength. Revelation 1:13, 16.

And further on,

These things says He who has the sharp two-edged sword, I will come to you quickly and engage in conflict with them with the sword of My mouth. Revelation 2:12, 16.

'A sharp two-edged sword' plainly stands for truth engaged in conflict, which was therefore represented as 'a sword going out of His mouth'.

[4] In the same book,

Out of the mouth of Him who sat on the white horse went forth a sharp sword, and with it He is to smite the nations. And they were slain by the sword of Him sitting on the horse, which went out of His mouth. Revelation 19:15, 21.

Here it is plain that 'a sword going out of His mouth' means truth engaged in conflict. The one 'sitting on the white horse' is the Word, and thus the Lord who is the Word; see above 2760-2763. This explains what the Lord says in Matthew,

Do not think that I have come to bring peace on to the earth; I have not come to bring peace, but a sword. Matthew 10:34.

And in Luke,

Now he who has a purse, let him take it, and likewise a bag. But he who has none, let him sell his garments and buy a sword. They said to Him, Behold, Lord, here are two swords. And Jesus said, It is enough. Luke 22:36-38.

'A sword' here is used to mean nothing else than the truth, from which and for which they were to engage in conflict.

[5] In Hosea,

I will make for them a covenant on that day with the wild animals of the field, and with the birds of the air, and the creeping things of the ground. And I will abolish ³ the bow, and the sword, and war from the land, and I will make them lie down in safety. Hosea 2:18.

Here the subject is the Lord's kingdom. 'Abolishing the bow, the sword, and war' means the absence of any conflict there over doctrine and truth. In Joshua,

Joshua lifted up his eyes and saw, and behold, a man was standing before him, with a sword drawn in his hand. He said to Joshua, I am the Prince of the army of Jehovah; and Joshua fell on his face to the earth. Joshua 5:13-14.

These words, which refer to the time when Joshua together with the children of Israel entered the land of Canaan, are used to mean the entry - of those who have faith - into the Lord's kingdom. Truth engaged in conflict, which is the Church's, is 'the sword drawn in the hand of the Prince of the army of Jehovah'.

[6] But as for 'small swords' or 'knives' meaning the truth of faith, this becomes clear from the fact that they were used not only in sacrifices but also in circumcision. Those used in circumcision were made of flint and were called 'small swords of flint', as is evident in Joshua,

Jehovah said to Joshua, Make small swords of flint for yourself; and again, circumcise the children of Israel a second time. And Joshua made small swords of flint for himself, and circumcised the children of Israel on the hill of the foreskins. Joshua 5:2-3.

'Circumcision' was a representative of purification from self-love and love of the world, see 2039, 2632. And because such purification is achieved by means of the truths of faith, 'small swords of flint' were therefore used, 2039 (end), 2046 (end).

[7] II A sword means the vastation of truth This is clear from the following places: In Isaiah,

These two will happen to you; who is to condole with you? Vastation and demolition, and famine and sword; who is to comfort you? Your sons fainted, they lay at the head of every street. Isaiah 51:19-20.

'Famine' stands for vastation of good, and 'sword' for vastation of truth. 'Lying at the head of every street' stands for being deprived of all truth. 'Street' means truth, 2336; and for what vastation is, see 301-304, 407, 408, 410, 411. In the same prophet,

I will destine ⁴ you for the sword, and all of you will bow down to the slaughter, because I called but you did not answer, I spoke but you did not listen. Isaiah 65:12.

[8] In the same prophet,

By fire Jehovah will judge, and by sword, all flesh; and the slain of Jehovah will be many. Isaiah 66:16.

'The slain of Jehovah' stands for those who have undergone vastation. In Jeremiah,

On all the hills in the wilderness those who cause devastation have come, for the sword of Jehovah is devouring from one end of the land even to the other end of the land. There is no peace for any flesh. They have sown wheat and reaped thorns. Jeremiah 12:12-13.

'The sword of Jehovah' plainly stands for the vastation of truth. In the same prophet,

They have lied against Jehovah and said, It is not He; and no evil will come upon us; neither shall we see sword and famine. And the prophets will become wind, and there is no utterance in them. Jeremiah 5:12-13.

[9] In the same prophet,

I am visiting them; the young men will die by the sword; their sons and their daughters will die by famine. Jeremiah 11:22.

In the same prophet,

When they offer burnt offering and minchah I will not accept them, for I am consuming them by sword and by famine and by pestilence. And I said, Ah, Lord Jehovih, behold, the prophets say to them, You will not see the sword, nor will you have famine. Jeremiah 14:12-13.

In the same prophet,

The city has been given into the hand of the Chaldeans fighting against it, in face of the sword, and famine, and pestilence. Jeremiah 32:24, 36.

In the same prophet,

I will send sword, famine, and pestilence upon them, until they are consumed from the ground which I gave to them and their fathers. Jeremiah 24:10.

[10] In these places vastation is described as 'sword, famine, and pestilence'. 'Sword' describes the vastation of truth, 'famine' the vastation of good, and 'pestilence' preying upon even to destruction. In Ezekiel,

Son of man, Take a sharp sword, use it as a barber's razor and pass it over your head and over your beard. And you are to take balances and you are to divide the hair. A third part you are to burn with fire in the midst of the city; a third part you are to strike with the sword round about it; and a third part you are to scatter to the wind, and I will unsheathe the sword after them. A third part will die of pestilence, and be consumed with famine in the midst [of you], and a third part will fall by the sword round about [you], and a third part I will scatter to every wind; and I will unsheathe the sword after them. Ezekiel 5:1-2, 12, 17.

This refers to the vastation of natural truth, which is described in this fashion. In the same prophet,

The sword is without, and pestilence and famine within; he that is in the field will die by the sword, and him that is in the city famine and pestilence will devour. Ezekiel 7:15.

[11] In the same prophet,

Say to the land of Israel, Thus said Jehovah, Behold, I am against you, and will draw My sword out of its sheath, and will cut off from you the righteous and the wicked. Because I will cut off from you the righteous and the wicked, therefore My sword will go out of its sheath against all flesh from south to north; and all flesh will know that I Jehovah have drawn My sword out of its sheath, and it will not return any more. The word of Jehovah came to me, saying, Son of man, prophesy and say, Thus said Jehovah, Say: A sword, a sword has been sharpened and also polished, sharpened, for great slaughter, so that it is polished to flash like lightning! Son of man, prophesy and say, Thus said the Lord Jehovih against the children of Ammon, and against their reproach, Say: A sword, a sword is bared for the slaughter, and polished to consume because [polished to shine like] lightning - while they see vanity for you, while they divine a lie for you. Ezekiel 21:3-5, 8-20, 28-29.

Here 'a sword' means nothing other than vastation, as is evident in the internal sense from each detail included here.

[12] In the same prophet,

The king of Babel will destroy your towers with his swords. By reason of the abundance of horses their dust will cover you; by reason of the noise of horsemen, and wheels, and chariots, your walls will be shaken. With the hoofs of his horses he will trample all your streets. Ezekiel 26:9-11.

What 'Babel' is, see 1326, and that it causes vastation, 1327. In David, If he does not turn back God will whet His sword, bend His bow, and make it ready. Psalms 7:12.

In Jeremiah,

I said, Ah, Lord, truly You have utterly deceived this people and Jerusalem, saying, You will have peace; but the sword has reached even to the soul. Jeremiah 4:10.

[13] In the same prophet,

Declare in Egypt, and cause it to be heard in Migdol, Stand up and prepare yourself, for the sword will devour round about you. Jeremiah 46:14.

In the same prophet,

A sword over the Chaldeans and against the inhabitants of Babel, and against her rulers, and against her wise men! A sword against the boasters, and they will become insane! A sword against her mighty men, and they will be dismayed! A sword against her horses, and against her chariots, and against the whole mingled crowd in her midst, and they will become as women! A sword against her treasures, and they will be plundered! A drought on her waters, and they will dry up! Jeremiah 50:35-38.

'A sword' plainly stands for the vastation of truth, for it is said to be 'a sword against the wise men, against the boasters, against the mighty men, against the horses and chariots, against the treasures', and that there will be 'a drought on the waters and they will dry up'.

[14] In the same prophet,

We have given the hand to Egypt, to Asshur to be satisfied with bread. Slaves have had dominion over us; there is nobody to free us from their hand. In [peril of] our souls we acquired our bread, in face of the sword of the wilderness. Lamentations 5:6, 8-9.

In Hosea,

He will not return to the land of Egypt, and Asshur will be his king, because they have refused to return to Me. And the sword will come down on his cities, and consume his bars, and devour because of their counsels. Hosea 11:5-6.

In Amos.

I have sent the pestilence upon you in the way of Egypt, I have slain your young men with the sword, along with your captured horses. ⁵ Amos 4:10.

'In the way of Egypt' stands for the facts which cause vastation when, on the basis of these, people reason in Divine things. 'Captured horses' stands for the understanding when stripped of its own inherent qualities.

[15] III A sword in the contrary sense means falsity engaged in conflict. This becomes clear in David,

As to my soul, I lie in the midst of lions setting on fire the children of men; their teeth are spear and arrows, and their tongues a sharp sword. Psalms 57:4.

In the same author,

Behold, they belch out with their mouths, swords are in their lips - for who hears? Psalms 59:7.

In Isaiah,

You are cast out from your sepulchre like an abominable stock, a garment of the slain pierced by the sword, who go down to the stones of the pit like a dead body trodden underfoot. Isaiah 14:19

This refers to Lucifer. In Jeremiah,

In vain have I smitten your sons, they took no correction Your own sword is devouring your prophets, like a ravaging lion. O generation, observe the Word of Jehovah, Have I been a wilderness to Israel? Jeremiah 2:30-31.

[16] In the same prophet,

Do not go out into the field, and do not walk on the road, for the enemy has a sword, terror is all around. Jeremiah 6:25-26.

In the same prophet,

Take the cup of the wine of wrath and make all the nations to which I send you drink it. And they will drink and reel, and go mad in face of the sword which I am sending among them. Drink and get drunk, and vomit, and fall, and do not get up again in face of the sword. Jeremiah 25:15-16, 27.

In the same prophet,

Go up, O horses; rage, O chariots; let the mighty men go forth, Cush and Put, that handle the shield, and the Ludim that handle and bend the bow. And that day is to the Lord Jehovih of hosts a day of vengeance. And the sword will devour, and be sated, and become drunk on their blood. Jeremiah 46:9-10.

[17] In Ezekiel,

They will strip you of your garments, and take the jewels ⁶ of your glory, and leave you naked and bare. And they will bring up an assembly upon you, and they will stone you with stones; they will run you through with their swords. Ezekiel 16:39-40.

This refers to the abominations of Jerusalem. In Zechariah,

Woe to the worthless shepherd, the deserter of the flock! The sword will fall upon his arm and upon his right eye. His arm will be wholly withered, and his right eye utterly darkened. Zechariah 11:17.

In Hosea,

They thought what was evil against Me. Their princes will fall by the sword for the rage of their tongue. This will be their derision in the land of Egypt. Hosea 7:15-16.

[18] In Luke,

There will be great distress over the earth, and wrath on that people; for they will fall by the edge of the sword, and will be led captive among all the gentiles; ⁷ at length Jerusalem will be trodden down by the gentiles. ⁷ Luke 21:23-24.

Here the Lord was referring to the close of the age - in the sense of the letter to the dispersion of the Jews and the destruction of Jerusalem, but in the internal sense to the final state of the Church. 'Falling by the edge of the sword' means that there was no truth any longer, but merely falsity. 'All the gentiles' means every kind of evil among which 'they will be led captive'. 'The gentiles' - or 'the nations' - means evils, see 1259, 1260, 1849, 1868, and 'Jerusalem' means the Church, 2117, which will be so 'trodden down' by them.

[19] IV A sword also means the punishment of falsity

This is clear in Isaiah,

On that day Jehovah will make a visitation with His hard and great and strong sword upon Leviathan the full-length serpent, ⁸ and upon Leviathan the twisting serpent, and He will slay the monsters that are in the sea. Isaiah 27:1.

This refers to those who by means of reasonings based on sensory evidence and factual knowledge enter into the mysteries of faith. 'The hard, great, and strong sword' stands for the punishments of the falsity that results from those reasonings.

[20] When one reads about people being put to, and being slain by, the edge of the sword, sometimes including 'both men and women, young people and old, oxen, sheep, and asses', the meaning in the internal sense is punishment consisting in the condemnation of falsity, as in Joshua 6:21; 8:24-25; 10:28, 30, 37, 39; 11:10-12, 14; 13:22; 19:47; Judges 1:8, 25; 4:15-16; 18:27; 20:37; 1 Samuel 15:8; 2 Kings 10:25; and elsewhere. This also explains why it was commanded to put to the sword any city which worshipped other gods, and to destroy it utterly and to burn it with fire, and to let it remain a heap for ever, Deuteronomy 13:12-18. 'The sword' stands for the punishment of falsity, 'fire' for the punishment of evil. The angel of Jehovah with a drawn sword who stood in the path against Balaam, Numbers 22:22, 31, meant the truth which stood in the way of the falsity which possessed Balaam. For that reason also he was slain with a sword, Numbers 31:8.

[21] The meaning of 'a sword' in the genuine sense as truth engaged in conflict, and in the contrary sense as falsity engaged in it, also the vastation of truth and the punishment of falsity, has its origin in the representatives that occur in the next life. For in that life, when anyone utters that which he knows to be false, daggers so to speak instantly come down over his head and strike terror, while truth engaged in conflict is represented there as well by objects which have sharp points like the tips of swords; for such is the nature of truth if it is devoid of good, but if it exists together with good it is rounded and gentle. Such being the origin of the meaning of a sword, therefore with angels, whenever a knife, spear, small sword, or sword is mentioned in the Word, truth engaged in conflict comes to mind.

[22] The reason why a knife is hardly mentioned at all in the Word is that in the next life there are evil spirits who are called 'knifers'. They seem to have knives hanging by their sides, and the reason for this is that they possess so brutal a nature that they wish to cut everyone's throat with their knife. This is why knives are not mentioned, but small swords and swords, for the latter being implements normally used in battle give rise to the idea of war and so of truth engaged in conflict.

[23] Because it was well known to the ancients that a small sword, a lance, and a knife meant truth, the gentiles, who received the practice through tradition, were therefore accustomed during sacrifices to stab and slash themselves, even until they bled, with small swords, lances, or knives, as one reads of the priests of Baal,

The priests of Baal cried out with a loud voice and cut themselves after their custom with swords and lances, until blood gushed out. 1 Kings 18:28.

As regards all weapons of war in the Word meaning things that have to do with spiritual conflict, each one having some specific meaning, see 2686.

Imibhalo yaphansi: