10256. 'And sweet-smelling calamus' means the perception of and affection for interior truth. This is clear from the meaning of 'sweet-smelling calamus' as the perception of and affection for interior truth; for 'calamus' means that truth and 'a sweet smell' a perception of and affection for it. For the meaning of 'calamus' as truth, see below; and for that of 'a sweet smell' as a perception of and affection for it, see just above in 10254.
[2] Here interior truth is used to mean that truth which, as it exists in the internal man, is exterior. This is in keeping with what has been stated above in 10254, namely that within the external man there is an exterior and an interior, and within the internal likewise. So it is that four sweet-smelling substances were used in the preparation of the anointing oil - myrrh of the highest quality, sweet-smelling cinnamon, sweet-smelling calamus, and cassia. 'Myrrh of the highest quality' means the perception of exterior truth within the external man, which is truth on the level of the senses; 'sweet-smelling cinnamon' interior truth there, which is truth on the natural level; 'sweet-smelling calamus' exterior truth within the internal man; and 'cassia' interior truth there. And 'olive oil' means the actual good composing affections for and perceptions of those kinds of truth.
[3] The fact that 'calamus' means interior truth becomes clear from places in the Word which mention it. In these places however it is not spoken of as 'sweet-smelling calamus' but only as 'calamus' or 'good calamus', as in Isaiah,
You have not called Me, O Jacob, and you have been weary of Me, O Israel. You have not bought Me calamus with silver, and you have not satisfied Me with the fat of your sacrifices. Isa 43:22,24.
In Ezekiel,
Dan and Javan exchanged yarn in your dealings; wrought iron, cassia, and calamus were in your trading. Ezek 27:19.
And in Jeremiah,
To what purpose does frankincense come to Me from Sheba, and good calamus from a distant land? Jer 6:20.
In these places, it is evident, 'calamus' is used to mean some attribute of the Church, and worship there; for what other reason could there be for talking about their buying calamus for Jehovah with silver or about good calamus coming to Him from a distant land? And since some attribute of the Church and its worship are meant it follows that truth or good is meant, because everything of the Church and its worship is connected with them. But exactly which kind of truth or good is meant - whether celestial or spiritual, external man's or internal man's - is clear from the internal sense, when the sequence of things mentioned is considered on this level of meaning. Then it is evident that interior truth is meant by 'calamus'.
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