Arcana Coelestia (Potts) n. 9826

Previous Number Next Number Next Translation See Latin 

9826. And a tunic of checker work. That this signifies Divine truth there inmostly proceeding immediately from the Divine celestial, is evident from the signification of "a tunic," as being natural truth; but when said concerning Aaron, whose garments represented the truths of the Lord's spiritual kingdom (see n. 9814, 9822), "the tunic" denotes the inmost Divine truth in this kingdom, thus that which proceeds most nearly from the Divine celestial, which is the Lord's Divine good in the inmost heaven (that such things are signified by "tunics," see n. 4677). For there are three heavens-the inmost which is called celestial, the middle which is called spiritual, and the ultimate which approaches what is natural. In the inmost heaven reigns the good of love to the Lord, in the middle heaven the good of charity toward the neighbor, and in the ultimate heaven the good of faith. These heavens are most distinct one from another, insomuch that he who is in one heaven cannot possibly pass into another; and yet they are one heaven, being joined together by means of intermediate angelic societies; and in this way one heaven proceeds from another. As therefore the garments of Aaron represent the spiritual heaven, and thus the truths of this heaven in their order, it is evident that by the inmost garment, which is called "a tunic of checker work," is represented the inmost truth there which proceeds immediately from the Divine celestial. It is said to be "of checker work," because it was woven, as is evident from what follows in the book of Exodus:

They made tunics of fine linen, the work of the weaver, for Aaron, and for his sons (Exod. 39:27);

that the tunics were of fine linen was in order that truth from a celestial origin might be represented. (That such truth is signified by "fine linen," see n. 9469.)


This page is part of the Writings of Emanuel Swedenborg

© 2000-2001 The Academy of the New Church