Arcana Coelestia (Potts) n. 4091

Previous Number Next Number Next Translation See Latin 

4091. Where thou vowedst a vow unto me. That this signifies what is holy, is evident from the signification of "vowing a vow," as being to will that the Lord should provide; and in the supreme sense, in which it is predicated of the Lord, as being that He does provide (n. 3732); and because whatever the Lord provides proceeds from Him, and whatever proceeds from Him is holy, therefore by "vowing a vow" is here signified what is holy. That "vowing a vow" signifies that which proceeds from the Lord, and therefore that which is holy, at first sight appears too remote; but this is because it is a man who vows a vow by which he binds himself to something, or imposes something upon himself in relation to the Divine, in case he obtains his wish. But when it is the Divine Itself, or the Lord, of whom this is predicated, it is not then any vow, but is a willing and providing, that is, a doing. What therefore the Divine or the Lord does, proceeds from Him; and whatever proceeds from Him is holy.


This page is part of the Writings of Emanuel Swedenborg

© 2000-2001 The Academy of the New Church