189. That no one take thy crown, signifies lest wisdom should perish, from which comes eternal happiness. Wisdom in man is from no other source than good by truths from the Lord. The reason why man has wisdom through these, is, because the Lord conjoins Himself to man, and man to Himself by them, and the Lord is wisdom itself; therefore wisdom perishes with man when he ceases to do truths, that is, to live according to them, for then he ceases to love wisdom, and thus the Lord. By wisdom is meant wisdom in things spiritual, from which, as from a fountain, is derived wisdom in other things, which is called intelligence, and by intelligence, science, which exists from the affection of knowing truths. "A crown" signifies wisdom, because wisdom holds the supreme place with man, and thus crowns him. Nor does "a king's crown" signify anything else, for "king," in the spiritual sense, is the Divine truth (n. 20), and from the Divine truth is all wisdom. [2] Wisdom is also signified by "crown" in the following places:
There will I make the horn of David to bud, but upon himself shall his crown flourish (Ps. 132:17-18). Jehovah gave ear-rings upon thine ears, and a crown of ornament upon thy head (Ezek. 16:12). Speaking of Jerusalem, by which is signified the church as to doctrine, therefore "a crown of ornament" is wisdom from the Divine truth or the Word. In that day shall Jehovah of Hosts be for a crown of ornament and for a miter of beauty unto the residue of His people (Isa. 28:5). These things are concerning the Lord, because it is said "in that day"; "the crown of ornament" which He will be, is wisdom, and "the miter of beauty" is intelligence; "the residue of the people" are they with whom His church will be. [3] The same is signified by "crown" and "miter" in Isa. 62:1, 3; as also by "the plate upon Aaron's miter" (Exod. 28:36, 37), which was also called "the coronet." Likewise in these places:
Say unto the king, and to the queen, Humble yourselves, sit down, for the ornament of your head is come down, the crown of your comeliness (Jer. 13:18). The joy of our heart is ceased, the crown of our head is fallen (Lam. 5:15-16). He hath stripped me of my glory, and taken the crown of my head (Job 19:9). Thou hast condemned the crown of Thine anointed to the earth (Ps. 89:39). In these places, by "crown" is signified wisdom.
This page is part of 
© 2000-2001 The Academy of the New Church