Spiritual Meaning of

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The signification of the breastplate, is Divine truth shining forth from Divine good, here in ultimates progressively from the inmost things in the heavens. For the ephod, on which was this breastplate, represented the ultimates of the spiritual kingdom, and consequently the ultimates of heaven. The breast plate had this signification because it was fastened upon the breast where the heart is, and was filled with precious stones, and the heart corresponds to celestial good, which is the good of love to the Lord from the Lord, and the twelve precious stones correspond to Divine truths thence derived. Hence by the breastplate in the supreme sense is signified Divine truth shining forth from the Divine good of the Lord. That the heart corresponds to celestial good, that is, to the good of love to the Lord from the Lord, (AC 170, 172, 176, 3635, 3883-3896, 7542, 9050, 9300, 9495); and that the twelve precious stones correspond to Divine truths which are from the Divine good, will be seen in what follows in this chapter, where this breastplate is fully described, and is called the breastplate of judgment, and the Urim and Thummim, from the twelve precious stones with which it was filled. That it was fastened upon the breast where is the heart, is evident from the description given of it below, where this is plainly stated in these words, Aaron shall carry the names of the sons of Israel in the breastplate of judgment upon his heart (verse 29); and again, They shall be upon Aaron's heart, when he goeth in before Jehovah; and Aaron shall carry the judgment of the sons of Israel upon his heart before Jehovah continually (verse 30).

from AC 9823

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