[2] The understanding of the Word, both true and false, is described in the Prophets, particularly in Hosea, by Ephraim; for the understanding of the Word is signified in the Word by Ephraim. Since the understanding of the Word constitutes the Church, therefore Ephraim is called

A dear son, and a pleasant child. Jer. xxxi 20;

The first born. Jer. xxxi 9;

The strength of the head of Jehovah. Ps. lx 7; cviii 8;

A mighty man. Zech. x 7 Filled with the bow. Zech. ix 13

And the sons of Ephraim are called

Armed, and shooters with the bow. Ps. lxxviii 9;

for a bow signifies doctrine from the Word fighting against falsities. For the same reason also

Ephraim was transferred to Israel's right hand and blessed; and accepted in place of Reuben. Gen. xlviii 5, 11-15.

For the same reason also

Ephraim with his brother Manasseh, under the name of their father Joseph, was exalted above all the rest by Moses in his blessing of the sons of Israel. Deut. xxxiii 13-17.

[3] The nature of the Church when the understanding of the Word is destroyed is also described in the Prophets by Ephraim, particularly in Hosea; as is clear from the following passages:

Israel and Ephraim shall fall together ... Ephraim shall be desolate ... Ephraim is oppressed and broken in judgment. I will be unto Ephraim as a lion ... I will tear and go away; I will take away, and none shall rescue him. Hosea v 5, 9, 11-14.

O Ephraim, what shall I do unto thee? for your holiness (A.V. goodness) is as a morning cloud, and as the early dew it goeth away. Hosea vi 4.

They shall not dwell in the land of Jehovah; but Ephraim shall return to Egypt, and shall eat an unclean thing in Assyria. Hosea ix 3.

[4] The land of Jehovah is the Church; Egypt is the scientific principle of the natural man, and Assyria is reasoning therefrom; by these two the Word as to the understanding of it is falsified; and therefore it is said that Ephraim shall return to Egypt, and shall eat an unclean thing in Assyria.

[5] Ephraim feedeth on wind, and followeth after the east wind: he daily increaseth lies and desolation; and he maketh (A.V. they do make) a covenant with the Assyrians, and oil is carried into Egypt. Hosea xii 1.

To feed on wind, to follow after the east wind and to increase lies and desolation, is to falsify truths and so destroy the Church. [6] The same is also signified by the whoredom. of Ephraim; for whoredom. signifies the falsification of the understanding of the Word, that is, of its genuine truth, as in these passages:

I know Ephraim ... he has altogether committed whoredom, and Israel is defiled. Hosea v 3.

I have seen an horrible thing in the house of Israel: there is the whoredom of Ephraim, and Israel is defiled. Hosea vi 10.

Israel is the Church itself, and Ephraim, the understanding of the Word from which and according to which the Church exists; therefore it is said that Ephraim commits whoredom and Israel is defiled.

[7] As the Church among the Jews was totally destroyed by falsifications of the Word, therefore it is thus said of Ephraim:

I will give thee up, Ephraim, I will deliver thee up, Israel, I will make thee as Admah, I will set thee as Zeboim. Hosea xi 8.

Now since the Prophet Hosea, from the first chapter to the last, treats of the falsification of the Word and the consequent destruction of the Church, and since by whoredom is signified the falsification of truth in the Word, therefore he was commanded to represent this state of the Church.

By taking a harlot for his wife, and begetting children by her. Hosea i;

and again, by taking a woman who was an adulteress. Hosea iii.

[8] These passages are quoted that it may be known and proved from the Word that the nature of the Church is according to its understanding of the Word-excellent and precious if its understanding is founded on genuine truths from the Word, but ruined and indeed defiled if founded on truths falsified. In confirmation that by Ephraim is signified the understanding of the Word, and in the opposite sense that understanding falsified from which results the destruction of the Church, the other passages where Ephraim is treated of may be consulted:

As Hosea iv 17, 18; vii 1, 11; viii 9, 11; ix 11-13, 16; x 11; xi 3; xii 1, 8, 14; xiii 1, 12; Isa. xvii 3; xxviii 1; Jer. iv 15; xxxi 6, 18; Ezek. xxxvii 16; xlviii 5; Obad. 19; Zech. ix 10.