Arcana Coelestia (Potts) n. 10454

Previous Number Next Number Next Translation See Latin 

10454. And Joshua heard the voice of the people in their shouting. That this signifies survey and taking notice in respect to the quality of the interiors of that nation, is evident from the signification of "hearing," as being survey and taking notice, for the subject now treated of is that nation in respect to its quality interiorly, thus in respect to the quality of its interiors; from the representation of Joshua, as being the truth of the Word surveying and taking notice, for he was the minister of Moses, and by Moses was represented the Word (as was shown above), consequently by the minister is represented truth, for all truth is of the Word, here truth surveying, exploring, and taking notice; and from the signification of "the voice of the people in their shouting," as being what was the quality of that nation interiorly, thus what was the quality of its interiors. For by "voice" in the Word is signified interior voice, which is thought, consequently the interior quality in respect to truth or falsity, because thought is from the one or the other (see n. 219, 220, 3563, 7573, 8813, 9926). But by "shouting" is signified what is articulate of sound, whether of speech, or of singing, or of shouting, that proceeds from the thought, which is the interior voice. Therefore by "hearing the voice in their shouting" is signified a taking notice, from the sound as an index, in respect to the quality of the interiors. For the tone, or sound, whether of speech, or of singing, or of shouting, proceeds from the interior affection and thought; these are both in the sound, and are also noticed by those who attend and reflect; as for example whether it is angry, threatening, friendly, gentle, glad, mournful, and so forth. In the other life this is perceived so exquisitely that from the sound of one word the angels perceive what the quality of anyone is in respect to his interiors. This then is what is signified by "hearing the voice of the people in their shouting."


This page is part of the Writings of Emanuel Swedenborg

© 2000-2001 The Academy of the New Church