434. [verse 8] 'And they had hair as the hair of women' signifies that they appeared to themselves [as if] in the affection of truth. In the Word by 'man' (vir) is signified the understanding of truth, and by 'woman' the affection of truth, because a man (vir) is born understanding, and a woman affection, concerning which subject [something shall be said] in ANGELIC WISDOM CONCERNING MARRIAGE. By 'hair' in the Word is signified the ultimate of a man's life, which is the sensual, concerning which (n. 424). This is what appears to them as if in the affection of truth, when yet they are in the affection of untruth, for they believe that to be true. That a woman signifies the affection of truth can be established from many places in the Word. This is why the Church is called 'wife', woman , 'daughter' and 'virgin', and the Church is a Church by virtue of the love or affection of truth, for out of this the understanding of truth is produced. [2] The Church is called woman in these passages:-
Two women of one mother, and they committed whoredom in Egypt, Ohola, which is Samaria, and Ohohiba, which is Jerusalem Ezek. xxiii 2-4.
As a woman deserted and afflicted in spirit has Jehovah called thee, and a woman of youth Isa. liv 6, 7.
Jehovah shall create a new thing in the land, a woman shall compass a man Jer. xxxi 21, 22.
By 'the woman clothed with the sun, whom the dragon pursued' (Rev. xii) is signified the New Church, which is the New Jerusalem. In many places by 'women' are signified the affections of truth by virtue of which the Church is a Church, as in these:-
The women of my people have you driven out of the house of their delights Micah ii 9.
The families of houses shall mourn apart, and the women apart Zech. xii 11-13.
Stand up, O women who are at ease, hear my speech Isa. xxxii 9.
Wherefore are you doing evil to cut off from you man and woman? Jer. xliv 7.
I will scatter man and woman Jer. li 22.
By 'man and woman' here and elsewhere in the spiritual sense is signified the understanding of truth and the affection of truth.
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