9397. And read it in the ears of the people. That this signifies for hearkening and obedience, is evident from the signification of "reading," as being for hearkening; for when anything is read, it is that it may be heard, perceived, and obeyed; that is, that it may be hearkened unto; and from the signification of "in the ears," as being for obedience; for "the ears," and "hearing," signify obeying (see n. 2542, 3869, 4551, 4652-4660, 5471, 5475, 7216, 8361, 8990, 9311). [2] As "the ears" signify not only hearing and notice, but also obedience, therefore in the Word frequent mention is made of speaking "in the ears," and reading "in the ears," of people; and not of speaking and reading "before them;" as in the following passages:
Hear thou these words that I speak in thine ears, and in the ears of all the people (Jer. 28:7). They spoke these words in the ears of the people (1 Sam. 11:4). Let thine handmaid speak in thine ears (1 Sam. 25:24). Proclaim in the ears of the people, saying (Judg. 7:3). Speak in the ears of the people (Exod. 11:2). Hear, O Israel, the statutes and the judgments which I speak in your ears this day (Deut. 5:1). I speak these words in their ears (Deut. 31:28). Moses spoke all the words of the song in the ears of the people (Deut. 32:44). He read in their ears all the words of the book of the covenant (2 Kings 23:2). They said unto him, Sit down and read it in our ears; and Baruch read it in their ears (Jer. 36:15). When Jesus had ended all the words in the ears of the people (Luke 7:1). [3] As "the ear," and "hearing," signify the reception of truth, notice, and obedience, thus the first and the last of faith, therefore it was so often said by the Lord, "He that hath an ear to hear, let him hear" (Matt. 11:15; 13:9, 43; Mark 4:9, 23; 7:16; Luke 14:35). And because by "the deaf," that is, those who do not hear, are signified in the spiritual sense those who are not in the faith of truth, because they are not in the knowledge and consequent perception of it (n. 6989, 9209), therefore when the Lord healed one that was deaf, "He put His finger into his ears, and said, Ephphatha, that is, Be opened. And straightway his ears were opened" (Mark 7:32-35). (That all the miracles of the Lord infolded and signified states of the church, see n. 8364, 9086.)
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