Spiritual Meaning of Curtain

Spiritual Meaning of

Curtain

The signification of the "curtains," is the interior truths of faith which are of the new understanding. Since by "the Habitation" is signified the middle or second heaven, which is heaven from the reception of the Divine truth that is from the Lord's Divine good (AC 9594); consequently the "curtains" of which it was constructed and with which it was covered, denote the truths of faith which are of the new understanding. That these denote interior truths is because exterior truths are signified by the "curtains from goats" for the Tent that was round about, which also are treated of in this chapter.

[2] That "the curtains" denote the truths of faith belonging to those who are in the Lord's spiritual kingdom, is evident from the passages in the Word where they are mentioned; as in Isaiah:--

Sing, O barren one that didst not bear, for more are the sons of the desolate one than the sons of the married one; enlarge the place of thy tent, and let them stretch out the curtains of thine habitations; lengthen the cords. For thou shalt break forth on the right hand and on the left; and thy seed shall inherit the nations (Isa. 54:1-3);

treating of the church about to be set up among the Gentiles, which is called "the barren one that did not bear," for the reason that they had been without truths from the Word (AC 9325); and now it is said to have "more sons than the sons of the married one," because its truths are more numerous than the truths of the former devastated church, for "sons" denote truths (AC 489, 491, 533, 1147, 3373, 3704); "to enlarge the place of the tent" denotes the holiness of worship from the good of love (AC 3312, 4391, 4599); "to stretch out the curtains of the habitations" denotes the holiness of worship from the truths of faith.

[3] In Jeremiah:--

The whole land hath been laid waste, suddenly have My tents been laid waste, My curtains in a moment (Jer. 4:20);

"the land that hath been laid waste" denotes the church (AC 9325); "tents laid waste" denotes the holiness of worship from the good of love; "curtains laid waste" denotes holy worship from the truths of faith.

[4] Again:--

My tent hath been laid waste, and all My cords pulled out; My sons are gone forth from Me, and they are not; there is none to stretch out My tent any more, and to set up My curtains. For the shepherds are become foolish (Jer. 10:20, 21);

where the meaning is similar. Again:--

Arise ye, and go up against Arabia, and lay waste the sons of the east; let them take their tents and their flocks, let them carry away for themselves their curtains, and all their vessels, and their camels (Jer. 49:28, 29);

"Arabia and the sons of the east" denote those who are in the knowledges of good and truth (AC 3249); "taking the tents and flocks" denotes the interior goods of the church (AC 8937); "taking the curtains" denotes the interior truths of the church; "their vessels" denote the exterior truths of the church (AC 3068, 3079); "camels" denote general memory-knowledges (AC 3048, 3071, 3143, 3145). In Habakkuk:--

Under Aven I saw the tents of Cushan; the curtains of Midian did shake (Habakkuk 3:7);

"the curtains of Midian" denote truths with those who are in simple good (AC 3242, 4756, 4788, 6773, 6775).

[5] From all this it is evident what is meant in David:--

O Jehovah Thou hast put on glory and honor; who covereth Himself with light as with a garment; He stretcheth out the heavens like a curtain (Ps. 104:1, 2);

"to cover Himself with light as with a garment" denotes Divine truths. That "light" denotes truth, (AC 9548); as also "a garment," (AC 4545, 4763, 5319, 5954, 9093, 9212, 9216); consequently "to stretch out the heavens like a curtain" denotes to enlarge the heavens by means of an influx of truth Divine, from which come intelligence and wisdom.

from AC 9595

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Author: E. Swedenborg (1688-1772).

Design: I.J. Thompson, Feb 2002.