Arcana Coelestia (Elliott) n. 4597

Previous Number Next Number Next Translation See Latin 

4597. Verses 21, 22 And Israel travelled on and pitched his tent beyond the tower of Eder. And it happened while Israel was residing in that land, that Reuben went and lay with Bilhah his father's concubine; and Israel heard of it.

'Israel travelled on' means the celestial-spiritual of the natural then. 'And pitched his tent beyond the tower of Eder' means more interior aspects of this. 'And it happened while Israel was residing in that land' means during this state. 'That Reuben went and lay with Bilhah his father's concubine' means the profanation of good by means of faith separated from charity. 'And Israel heard' means that this faith was cast aside.


This page is part of the Writings of Emanuel Swedenborg

© 2000-2001 The Academy of the New Church