Arcana Coelestia (Elliott) n. 9604

Previous Number Next Number Next Translation See Latin 

9604. 'Five curtains shall be joined together, each one to the next, and five curtains joined together, each one to the next' means unceasing communication of truth with good and of good with truth. This is clear from the meaning of 'five' as all on one side, for 'ten' means all of the whole, 9595; and from the meaning of 'curtains' as interior truths of faith which belong to the new understanding, also dealt with above in 9595. Hence because the ten curtains were joined together five and five, a reciprocal communication of truth and good and of good and truth is meant by them, for the communication between them must be reciprocal, in order that the truth and good may be joined together and be married. They are similar in meaning to things on the left side and those on the right in a human being - to those on the right side in that they have connection with the good from which truth springs, but to those on the left side in that they have connection with the truth that springs from the good. And in the middle between them the communication of good with truth and of truth with good takes place, so that they are perpetually and unceasingly joined together. Such are the realities meant by the words, Five curtains joined together, each one to the next, and five curtains joined together, each one to the next.


This page is part of the Writings of Emanuel Swedenborg

© 2000-2001 The Academy of the New Church