262. The literal or external sense of the Word. The sense of the letter of the Word is according to the appearances in the world, nos. 589, 926, 1832, 1838, 1874, 2242, 2520, 2533, 2719; and accommodated to the comprehension of the simple-minded, nos. 2533, 9048, 9063, 9086. The Word in the sense of the letter is natural, no. 8783; because the Natural is the ultimate in which spiritual and celestial things terminate, and upon which they rest, like a house upon its foundation; and otherwise the internal sense of the Word apart from the external would be like a house without a foundation, nos. 9360, 9430, 9433, 9824, 10044, 10436. Since the Word is of such a quality, it is the continent of the spiritual and celestial senses, no. 9407. And, because it is of such a quality, the holy Divine is in the sense of the letter, as to each and all things therein, even down to every iota, nos. 639, 680, 1869, 1870, 9198, 10321, 10537. Although the laws which were enacted for the sons of Israel, have been abrogated, they are still the Holy Word, on account of the internal sense within them, nos. 9211, 9259, 9349. Among the laws, judgments, and statutes for the Israelitish and Jewish Church, which was a representative Church, there are some which are still in force, both in the external and the internal sense; there are some that ought by all means to be observed in their external sense; there are others that may be of use, if people are so disposed, and there are still others that are altogether abrogated, concerning which see no. 9349. The Word is Divine, even as to those things which have been abrogated, no. 10637. Concerning the quality of the Word in the sense of the letter, if it is not understood at the same time as to the internal sense, or, what amounts to the same thing, according to true doctrine from the Word, no. 10402. Innumerable heresies spring from the sense of the letter apart from the internal sense, that is, apart from genuine doctrine from the Word, no. 10400. Those who are in an External apart from an Internal cannot endure the interior things of the Word, no. 10694. The Jews were of such a character, and they are also such at the present day, nos. 301-303, 3479, 4429, 4433, 4680, 4844, 4947, 10396, 10401, 10407, 10694, 10701, 10707.