Arcana Coelestia (Elliott) n. 9124

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9124. THE INTERNAL SENSE

Verses 2-4 If a thief is caught digging througha and is struck, and he dies, there shall be no bloodguilt for him.b If the sun has risen on him, there shall be bloodguilt for him - [the thief] must surely make repayment; if he has nothing, he shall be sold for his theft. If the theft is certainly found in his hand, whether it is ox or ass, or member of the flock,c [and they are] alive, he shall repay double.

'If a thief is caught digging through' means if it is not apparent that good or truth is being taken away. 'And is struck, and he dies' means if in this situation harm is done to it, so great that it is wiped out. 'There shall be no bloodguilt for him' means that he is not guilty of the violence done. 'If the sun has risen on him' means if he sees it clearly from a more internal level. 'There shall be bloodguilt for him' means that he is guilty. '[The thief] must surely make repayment' means making amends and undertaking restoration for the truth or good that has been taken away. 'If he has nothing' means if nothing remains. 'He shall be sold for his theft' means alienation. 'If the theft is certainly found in his hand' means if any truth or good is left by means of which restoration can be made. 'Whether it is ox or ass' means whether it is exterior good or truth. 'Or member of the flock' means or it is interior truth and good. '[And they are] alive' means which have spiritual life within them. 'He shall repay double' means restoration to the complete amount.

Notes

a i.e. breaking into a house at night by making a hole in its walls
b lit. there shall not be bloods for him
c lit. from ox even to ass, even to member of the flock


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