Spiritual Meaning of Transgression, Iniquity

Spiritual Meaning of

Transgression, Iniquity

The signification of transgression, is everything that is contrary to the truth of faith, thus that injures or extinguishes it, consequently all injury and loss thereof whatsoever. In the Word, evils are sometimes called sins, sometimes iniquities, and sometimes transgressions; but what is meant specifically by these several terms is not clear except from the internal sense. Those evils are called transgressions which are done contrary to the truths of faith; those are called iniquities, which are done contrary to the goods of faith; and those are called sins, which are done contrary to the goods of charity and of love. The first two proceed from a perverted understanding, but the last from a depraved will. As in David:--

Wash me from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin; for I acknowledge my transgressions, and my sin is ever before me (Ps. 51:2, 3);

iniquity denotes evil contrary to the goods of faith; sin, evil contrary to the goods of charity and love; and transgressions, evil contrary to the truths of faith. As the latter is evil proceeding from a perverted understanding, and thus is known from the truths of faith, it is said, I acknowledge my transgressions.

[2] Again:--

Remember, O Jehovah, Thy mercies, and Thy compassions; remember not the sins of my youth, and my transgressions (Ps. 25:6, 7);

sins denote evils from a depraved will; and transgressions, evils from a perverted understanding. In Isaiah:--

Behold for iniquities were ye sold, and for transgressions was your mother put away (Isa. 50:1);

iniquities denote evils contrary to goods, and transgressions, evils contrary to the truths of faith of the church; the mother denotes the church, which is said to be put away when it departs from faith. In Micah:--

For the transgression of Jacob is all this, and for the sin of the house of Israel. What is the transgression of Jacob? Is it not Samaria? She was the beginning of sin to the daughter of Zion; for the transgressions of Israel were found in thee (Micah 1:5, 13);

here in like manner sin denotes what is contrary to the good of charity and love; and transgression what is contrary to the truth of faith; for Samaria denotes the church of perverted faith, and so does Israel in this passage.

[3] As transgressions denote evils that are contrary to the truths of faith, they are also trespasses and revolts, which more over in the original tongue are signified by the same expression, as is evident in David:--

For the multitude of their transgressions that out those who rebel against Thee (Ps. 5:10);

to rebel is said when there are both revolt and trespass. And in Isaiah:--

Are ye not children of transgression, the seed of a lie; who have heated yourselves with gods under every green tree; who slay the children in the rivers? (Isa. 57:4, 5).

That transgression denotes evil contrary to the truths of faith is very evident from these passages, for the children of transgression denote the falsities which destroy the truths of faith; and therefore they are also called the seed of a lie, for a lie denotes falsity (AC 8908); and therefore it is said of them that they heat themselves with gods under every green tree, by which in the internal sense is meant worship from falsities; for gods denote falsities (AC 4402, 4544, 7873, 8867); and a green tree, the perception of falsity from a perverted understanding (AC 2722, 4552); and therefore it is also said ye slay the children in the rivers, by which is meant the extinction of the truths of faith by means of falsities; for to slay denotes to extinguish; children or sons denote the truths of faith (AC 489, 491, 533, 1147, 2623, 2813, 3373); and rivers denote falsities (AC 6693).

from AC 9156

Back to Words index, Back to Religious words index

Author: E. Swedenborg (1688-1772).

Design: I.J. Thompson, Feb 2002.