755、“六百岁，二月十七日”表示试探的第二个状态，这一点从目前所阐述的可推知，因为6-11节论述的是试探的最初状态，也就是涉及理解力事物的试探。然而，现在论述的是第二个状态，也就是涉及意愿事物的试探。这就是为何经上重复他的年龄。前面说，他是“六百岁的儿子”，此处说在他“生命的六百岁，二月十七日”，大洪水来袭。没有人会想到，精确到年、月、日的挪亚的年龄竟然表示涉及意愿事物的试探的状态。然而，如前所述（66节），这就是上古之人说话和写作的风格。他们的主要快乐就是能详述时间和名字，由此构筑类似真实历史的叙事。他们的智慧就在于此。
前面（7:6，737节）说明，“六百岁”只表示试探的最初状态，此处提到的“六百岁”具有同样的含义。但为叫它可以表示试探的第二个状态，经上加了“月”和“日”；其实两个月或“二月”表示争战本身，这从本章第二节中的数字2的含义明显可知，那里说明，2和6具有相同的含义，都表示劳碌和争战，以及驱散。然而，数字17既表示试探的开始，也表示试探的结束，因为它是数字7与10的和。当这个数字表示试探的开始时，它涉及“七天”或一七；这表示试探的开始，如前所示（7:4，728节）。但当它表示试探的结束（如8:4）时，七就是一个神圣数字；于是在七上又加了表示余剩的十，因为没有余剩，没有人能够重生。
十七表示试探的开始，这一点清楚可见于耶利米书（32:9），当时，先知耶利米被吩咐向住在亚拿突的堂兄哈拿篾买了一块田地，秤了十七舍客勒银钱给他。这个数字也表示他们在巴比伦被囚，在巴比伦被囚代表忠信者的试探和无信者的毁灭，因而代表试探的开始，同时代表试探的结束，也就是释放。耶利米书32:36提到了这种被囚，32:37等节则提到了释放。这个数字和其它所有的话一样，若非包含奥秘，就永远不会出现在该先知书中。
十七表示试探的开始，这一点还可从约瑟的年龄明显看出来。他被打发到他哥哥那里，并被卖到埃及时，就是十七岁（创世记37:2）。他被卖到埃及代表同样的事，或具有同样的含义，蒙主的神性怜悯，如那一章所示（4670，4788，5886节）。那里的代表性历史事件照所描述的真实发生了，但这里的历史事件是虚构的，具有属灵意义，并未照字义所描述的真实发生。然而，前者包含天堂的奥秘，事实上其中的每句话都是这样，恰如此处所虚构的这些历史。这一事实必然显得很奇怪，因为当有历史事件出现时，无论是真实的，还是虚构的，心智就会局限于文字，无法摆脱，从而确信所表示或代表的，并非别的东西。
然而，凡聪明人都能清楚看出，某种拥有圣言的生命在里面的内义是存在的，只是不存在于文字中，缺乏内义的文字是死的。若没有内义，圣言中的历史描述与世俗作家所讲述的历史有什么不同呢？若不包含天堂的奥秘，知道挪亚的确切年龄，或大洪水发生的月份和日期有什么用呢？谁看不出“大深渊的所有泉源都裂开了，天上的水闸也打开了”是一句预言？更不用说其它类似考虑了。
New Century Edition
Cooper(2008,2013)
[NCE]755. The symbolism of the six hundredth year, second month, and seventeenth day as the next stage of their trials follows from what has been said so far. From verse 6 up to this point, verse 11, the text has dealt with the first stage of trial, which was a challenge to the concerns of the intellect, but the present passage deals with the next stage, a challenge to the concerns of the will. This is the reason for the restatement of Noah's age. It is expressed the first time as the fact that he was a son of six hundred years but here as the fact that the Flood took place in the six hundredth year of his life, in the second month, on the seventeenth day.
No one can possibly guess that the years of Noah's life, specified down to the year, month, and day, mean a condition of struggle in respect to the promptings of the will, but this was the way the earliest people spoke and wrote, as noted [66]. They took particular delight in being able to specify periods and names in order to construct an authentic-sounding history. This is what their wisdom consisted in.
[2] I have already shown, at verse 6 above [737], that six hundred years simply symbolize the first stage of trial. The six hundred years here have a similar meaning, but the months and days are added in order to symbolize the second stage. In fact, two months (or in the second month) is added, symbolizing the actual combat, as can be seen from the symbolism of the number two, given above at verse 2 of this chapter. It was shown to have the same symbolism as six: hard work, combat, and dispersing something. (See the demonstration there.){*1} The number seventeen, however, symbolizes both the beginning and the end of trial, because it is composed of seven and ten. When seven symbolizes the beginning of trial, it implies the phrase in seven days, or a seven-day week, which was shown above at verse 4 of this chapter [728] to symbolize the beginning of trial. But when seven symbolizes the end of trial, as it does below in Genesis 8:4, it is a holy number. Ten, symbolizing the things that remain, is added to the seven because without a remnant we cannot be reborn.
[3] The symbolism of seventeen as the beginning of trial can be seen in Jeremiah, where he was commanded to buy a field in Anathoth from Hanamel, his father's brother. Jeremiah weighed out silver for him, seventeen shekels of silver (Jeremiah 32:9). This number also symbolized the people's captivity in Babylon, which represented the trials suffered by the faithful and the devastation suffered by the faithless. In fact it represented the start of trial and at the same time the end of trial, or liberation. All this can be seen from later verses in the same chapter of Jeremiah: verse 36 concerns their captivity, and the next, verse 37, their liberation. A number like this would never have shown up in Jeremiah had it not, like all the other details, entailed secrets from heaven.
[4] The symbolism of seventeen as the start of trial can also be seen from Joseph's age — he was a "son of seventeen years" — when he was sent to his brothers and sold into Egypt (Genesis 37:2). The fact that he was sold into Egypt has a similar representation, as will be demonstrated in the appropriate place [4670, 4788, 5886], with the Lord's divine mercy.
That passage in Genesis contains historical details with a representative meaning, and events happened according to the description there. The events of the current passage, though, are made-up history with a symbolic meaning and did not happen according to the literal description here. Yet the components of Joseph's story down to the individual words still involve heavenly secrets as much as those of Noah's story do.
This fact necessarily seems strange, because anywhere that an item of true or made-up history occurs, the mind lingers over the literal meaning, unable to extricate itself, and it therefore believes no symbolism or representation exists beyond the letter.
[5] But any intelligent person can see that the Word has some kind of inner meaning in which its life resides. (Its life is not in the letter, which apart from the inner meaning is dead.) Without a deeper meaning, how does a historical fact [in the Word] differ from one reported by any secular author? What use would it be to know in what year, month, and day of Noah's life the Flood took place, if this did not involve some heavenly mystery? Can anyone fail to see that all the springs of the great abyss burst and heaven's floodgates opened is a prophetic turn of speech? Other similar arguments could be offered.
Footnotes:
{*1} The equivalence of two and six is explained at verse 2 (720); the actual meaning of six is treated more fully at verse 6 (737). [LHC]
Potts(1905-1910) 755
755. That by "the six hundredth year, the second month, and seventeenth day" is signified the second state of temptation, follows from what has hitherto been said; for from the sixth verse to this eleventh verse the first state of temptation is treated of, which was temptation as to things of his understanding. And that now the second state is treated of, namely, as to things of the will, is the reason why his age is told again. It was said before that he was "a son of six hundred years" and here that the flood came "in the six-hundredth year of his life, in the second month, and in the seventeenth day." No one could suppose that by the years of Noah's age, of which the years, months, and days are specified, a state of temptation as to things of the will is meant. But as has been said, such was the manner of speech and of writing among the most ancient people; and especially were they delighted in being able to specify times and names, and thereby construct a narrative similar to actual history; and in this consisted their wisdom. [2] Now it has been shown above, at verse 6, that the "six hundred years" signify nothing else than the first state of temptation, and so do the "six hundred years" here; but in order that the second state of temptation might be signified, "months" and "days" are added; and indeed two months or "in the second month" which signifies combat itself, as is evident from the signification of the number "two" in the second verse of this chapter, where it is shown that it signifies the same as "six" that is, labor and combat, and also dispersion. But the number "seventeen" signifies both the beginning of temptation and the end of temptation, because it is composed of the numbers seven and ten. When this number signifies the beginning of temptation, it involves the days up to seven, or a week of seven days; and that this signifies the beginning of temptation has been shown above, at the fourth verse of this chapter. But when it signifies the end of temptation (as at verse 4 of chapter 8), then "seven" is a holy number; to which "ten" (which signifies remains) is adjoined, for without remains man cannot be regenerated. [3] That the number "seventeen" signifies the beginning of temptation, is evident in Jeremiah, when that prophet was commanded to buy a field from Hanamel his uncle's son, which was in Anathoth; and he weighed him the money, seventeen shekels of silver (Jer. 32:9). That this number also signifies the Babylonish captivity, which represents the temptation of the faithful and the devastation of the unfaithful, and so the beginning of temptation and at the same time the end of temptation, or liberation, is evident from what follows in the same chapter-the captivity in the thirty-sixth verse, and the liberation in the thirty-seventh and following verses. No such number would have appeared in the prophecy if it had not, like all the other words, involved a hidden meaning. [4] That "seventeen" signifies the beginning of temptation, is also evident from the age of Joseph, who was a "son of seventeen years" when he was sent to his brothers and sold into Egypt (Gen. 37:2). His being sold into Egypt has a similar signification, as of the Lord's Divine mercy will be shown in the explication of that chapter. There the historical events are representative, which actually took place as described; but here significative historical incidents are composed, which did not take place as described in the sense of the letter. And yet the actual events involve arcana of heaven, in fact every word of them does so, exactly as do these made-up histories. It cannot but appear strange that this is so, because where any historical fact or statement is presented, the mind is held in the letter and cannot release itself from it, and so thinks that nothing else is signified and represented. [5] But that there is an internal sense in which the life of the Word resides (and not in the letter, which without the internal sense is dead), must be evident to every intelligent man. Without the internal sense how does any historical statement in the Word differ from history as told by any profane writer? And then of what use would it be to know the age of Noah, and the month and day when the flood took place, if it did not involve a heavenly arcanum? And who cannot see that this saying: "all the fountains of the great deep were broken up, and the cataracts of heaven were opened" is a prophetical one? Not to mention other like considerations.
Elliott(1983-1999) 755
755. That 'the six hundredth year, the second month, and the seventeenth day' means the second state of temptation follows from what has been stated so far, for verse 6 down to this present verse 11 has dealt with the first state of temptation, which was temptation involving things of his understanding. Now however the second state is dealt with, namely temptation involving things of the will. This is the reason why his age is repeated. Previously it was said that 'he was a son of six hundred years', here that the Flood took place in 'the six hundredth year of his life, in the second month, on the seventeenth day'. No one would ever imagine that Noah's age, worked out to the exact year, month, and day, is used to mean a state of temptation involving things of the will. Yet, as has been stated, this was how the most ancient people spoke and wrote. And they found their chief delight in being able to work out periods of time and names and then to organize them into a semblance of history. It was in this that their wisdom consisted.
[2] It was shown at verse 6 above however that 'six hundred years' means nothing other than an initial state of temptation. Here similarly 'six hundred years' is mentioned. But so that it might mean a second state of temptation, months and days have been added - two months in fact, or rather 'in the second month', which means conflict itself, as becomes clear from the meaning of the number two given already at verse 6 of this chapter. As has been shown and may be seen there, two has the same meaning as six, that is, labour and conflict and also dispersion. The number seventeen however means not only the onset of temptation but also the end of temptation, the reason being that it is the sum of the numbers seven and ten. When this number means the onset of temptation it then entails 'seven days' or a week, which means the onset of temptation, as shown already at verse 4 of this chapter. But when it means the end of temptation, as it does later on in 8:4, seven is then a holy number to which ten, meaning remnants, has been added; for without remnants nobody is able to be regenerated.
[3] That seventeen means the onset of temptation is clear in Jeremiah's being commanded to buy the field from Hanamel his cousin who was in Anathoth, and to weigh out seventeen shekels of silver, Jer. 32:9. What comes after that in this chapter of the prophet shows that this number also means their captivity in Babylon, which represents the temptation of people who have faith and the devastation of those who have not. Indeed it represents the onset of temptation and at the same time the end of temptation, which is liberation. That captivity is mentioned in Jer. 32:36, and the liberation in verse 37 onwards. Such a number, like every other word that is used, would never have appeared in this prophet if it did not embody arcana.
[4] That seventeen means the onset of temptation becomes clear also from the age of Joseph, who was seventeen years old when he was sent off to his brothers and was sold into Egypt, Gen. 37:2. His being sold into Egypt represents the same kinds of things, as will in the Lord's Divine mercy be shown in that chapter. There the representative historical events did take place as described; here however they are made-up historical events carrying a spiritual meaning, which did not actually take place as described in the sense of the letter. Nevertheless the former embody arcana of heaven, right down to every word, as is the case here. This is bound to seem strange, for when any historical event occurs, true or made-up, the mind (animus) is confined to the letter from which it cannot extricate itself. Hence the conviction that nothing else is meant or represented.
[5] Yet it may become clear to anyone who is intelligent that some internal sense exists which has the life of the Word in it, but not in the letter, which devoid of the internal sense is dead. Without the internal sense what would any historical description be but history as found in any secular author? And so what would be the use of knowing Noah's exact age, or the month and day when the Flood took place, if it did not embody a heavenly arcanum? And who cannot see that 'all the fountains of the great deep were split open, and the floodgates of heaven were opened' is a prophetic utterance, as is much else besides?
Latin(1748-1756) 755
755. Quod per 'annum sexcentesimum, mensem secundum, et diem decimum septimum' significetur alter status tentationis, sequitur ex illis quae hactenus dicta sunt, nam a vers. 6 ad hunc 11 actum est de primo statu tentationis, qui fuit quoad ejus intellectualia, nunc autem agitur de altero statu, nempe quoad voluntaria, quae causa est quod iterum dicatur aetas ejus, prius quod 'fuerit filius sexcentorum annorum, hic quod factum diluvium 'anno sexcentesimo ejus vitae, mense secundo, et die decimo septimo': nusquam aliquis autumare potest quod per annos aetatis Noahi, ubi et anni et menses et dies designantur, intelligatur status tentationis quoad voluntaria; sed, ut dictum, talis fuit modus loquendi et scribendi antiquissimorum, et imprimis delectati sunt in eo quod designare tempora et nomina possent et inde historiam vero similem concinnare; in eo sapientia eorum constabat. Quod autem 'sexcenti anni' non significent aliud quam statum tentationis primum, ostensum est supra ad vers. 6; hic similiter 'anni sexcenti,' sed ut alter status tentationis significaretur, additi sunt menses et dies, et quidem menses duo, seu 'in mense secundo,' qui significant ipsam pugnam, ut constare potest a significatione numeri 'duo' prius ad vers. 2 hujus capitis, nempe quod significent idem ac sex, hoc est, laborem et pugnam, tum dispersionem, ut ibi ostensum videatur. Numerus autem 'septendecim' significat tam principium tentationis quam finem tentationis, ex causa quia compositus est ex numero septenario et decem; qui numerus cum significat principium tentationis tunc involvit 'ad dies septem,' seu septimanam septem dierum, quae quod significet principium tentationis, prius ad vers. 4 hujus capitis ostensum est; at cum significat finem tentationis, ut cap. seq. viii vers. 4, tunc 'septem' est numerus sanctus, cui 'decem' adjectus qui significat reliquias, nam absque reliquiis non potest regenerari homo: quod numerus 'septendecim' significet principium tentationis, constat apud Jeremiam, Quod mandatum ei, ut emeret agrum a Hanamele, filio patrui sui, qui in Anathoth; et appendit ei argentum septem {1}siclos et decem argenti, xxxii 9;qui numerus quod significet etiam captivitatem eorum Babylonicam, per quam repraesentatur tentatio fidelium et devastatio infidelium, et quidem principium tentationis et simul finis tentationis, seu liberatio, constare potest a sequentibus in capite illo apud Prophetam; quod captivitas ad vers. 36 ibi, quod liberatio a vers. 37 seq. ibi; talis numerus nusquam apud Prophetam exstaret nisi arcana, sicut omnia reliqua, involveret. Quod 'septendecim' significent principium tentationis, etiam constare potest ab aetate Josephi, qui septendecim annorum filius erat cum missus ad fratres et venditus in Aegyptum, Gen. xxxvii 2; 'quod venditus in Aegyptum' similia repraesentat, ut ibi loci, ex Divina Domini Misericordia, ostendetur; ibi historica repraesentativa sunt, quae ita se habent sicut describuntur, hic autem historica facta significativa, quae se non ita habent sicut describuntur in sensu litterae; sed usque illa involvunt arcana caeli, et quidem unaquaevis vox, sicut haec: quod ita se habeant, non potest non peregrinum apparere, quia ubi aliquod historicum verum aut historicum factum occurrit, animus detinetur in littera, e qua se abstrahere nequit; inde credit quod nihil aliud significet et repraesentet; sed quod internus aliquis sensus sit, in quo vita Verbi, non autem in littera, quae absque sensu interno mortua est, unicuique intelligenti constare potest; absque sensu interno quid historicum aliud est quam historicum apud aliquem profanum scriptorem? ita quid utilitatis foret scire annum Noahi, et mensem et diem, cum diluvium factum, nisi arcanum caeleste involvat? et quis non potest videre quod 'omnes fontes abyssi magnae disrupti, et cataractae caeli apertae' sit locutio prophetica? praeter alia similia. 1 I has siclorum, probably a printer's misreading.