6372. And a lawgiver from between his feet. That this signifies truths from this good in lower things, is evident from the signification of a "lawgiver," as being truths (of which below); and from the signification of "feet," as being natural things (see n. 2162, 3147, 3761, 3986, 4280, 4938-4952, 5327, 5328), thus lower things, for natural things are beneath, and celestial things (just now described) are above. It is said a "lawgiver from between his feet" in order that the spiritual of the celestial may be signified, or the truth which is from good, for at that time the spiritual kingdom was not such as it was after the Lord's coming-distinct from the celestial kingdom-but was one with the celestial kingdom, being merely its external; therefore also it is said "from between his feet," in order that truth which is from good may be signified; for this is signified by this inner side of the feet, from its communication with the loins. Of this truth it is also said that it should be "removed when Shiloh came," that is, its sovereignty should be removed, just as was the sovereignty of the celestial (see n. 6371); for the celestial kingdom at that time exercised its sovereignty by means of this truth; and because this was so, this truth is called a "lawgiver." This truth is also meant in the internal sense by a "lawgiver" in Isaiah:
Jehovah is our judge, Jehovah is our lawgiver, Jehovah is our king (Isa. 33:22);
where "judge" denotes that He acts from good; "lawgiver," that He acts from truth from this good; "king," that He acts from truth; thus they follow in order. And in David:
Gilead is Mine, and Manasseh is Mine, and Ephraim is the strength of My head, Judah is My lawgiver (Ps. 60:7; 108:8);
where "Judah a lawgiver" is celestial good and its celestial truth. In Moses:
The fountain, the princes digged it, the nobles of the people digged it out, by the lawgiver, with their staves (Num. 21:18). And again:
Gad saw the first fruits for himself, for there was the portion of the hidden lawgiver; whence came the heads of the people; he wrought the righteousness of Jehovah, and His judgments with Israel (Deut. 33:21);
where also "lawgiver" denotes truth from good.
This page is part of 
© 2000-2001 The Academy of the New Church