1158、“各族的海岛就从这些人散布在他们的陆地上”表示许多民族的敬拜就源于这些人；“海岛”是指特定地区，因而是指离内在敬拜更远的特定敬拜；“陆地”是指这些敬拜的一般特征。这从圣言中“海岛”的含义清楚可知。到目前为止，所论述的主题一直是那些拥有与内在敬拜相对应的外在敬拜的人。雅弗的七个儿子表示那些更接近真正的内在敬拜的人，歌篾和雅完的儿子一起表示那些离真正的内在敬拜更远的人。“各族的海岛”表示那些离内在敬拜还要更远的人，严格来说，表示那些彼此生活在相互仁爱中，但仍处于无知，对主、教会的信之教义和内在敬拜一无所知的人。然而，他们却拥有某种虔诚遵守的外在敬拜。在圣言中，这种人被称为“海岛”，所以“海岛”在内义上表示离内在敬拜更远的敬拜。
那些像天使一样拥有圣言内义的人不知道海岛是什么，因为他们对这类事物不再有任何概念。他们感知到的不是海岛，而是更远的敬拜，就是教会之外的外邦民族所拥有的那种。他们以同样的方式将“海岛”理解为教会本身里面那些离仁爱稍微有点远的东西，如友谊和礼貌或文明。友谊不是仁爱，礼貌或文明更不是。这两者离仁爱还差几步；它们从仁爱中获得的越多，就越纯正。
“海岛”表示这类事物，这一点从下列圣言经文可以看出来。以赛亚书：
众海岛啊，当在我面前静默；让众民从新得力，让他们都近前来。海岛看见就都害怕；地极也都战兢；他们就近前来。（以赛亚书41:1，5）
此处“海岛”表示教会之外正直的外邦人，他们虔诚遵守自己的外在敬拜。教会的最远边界被称为“地极”。同一先知书：
祂不变黑，也不破碎任何东西，直到祂在地上设立公平，海岛都等候祂的律法。下海的和海中所有的，众海岛和其上的居民，都当向耶和华唱新歌，从地极赞美祂。愿他们将荣耀归给耶和华，在海岛中传扬祂的颂赞。（以赛亚书42:4，10，12）
此处“海岛”也表示教会之外的外邦人，他们活在无知、单纯和正直中。
同一先知书：
众海岛啊，听我吧！远方的众民哪，听从吧！（以赛亚书49:1）
这同样表示那些离对主的敬拜和信的知识或认知更远的外邦民族；因此，经上说“远方”。又：
众海岛都要指望我，等候我的膀臂。（以赛亚书51:5）
此处“海岛”具有同样的含义。经上之所以说他们“都要指望我，等候我的膀臂”，是因为他们是生活正直的人。耶利米书：
列族啊，要听耶和华的话，传扬在远处的海岛。（耶利米书31:10）
此处“海岛”也具有同样的含义。西番雅书：
耶和华对他们是可畏惧的，因祂必用瘦弱消灭地上的众神，列族所有的海岛，各在自己的地方向祂下拜。（西番雅书2:11）
“列族的海岛”表示离信的知识或认知更远的民族。
诗篇：
耶和华掌权，愿地欣喜，愿众海岛欢乐！密云和幽暗在祂的四围。（诗篇97:1，2）
“海岛”具有同样的含义。他们的无知在此通过“密云和幽暗”以代表的方式来表达。但由于他们活在单纯和正直中，所以经上说“在祂的四围”。正因“海岛”表示那些更远的事物，所以“他施、普勒、路德、土巴和雅完”（它们也表示外在敬拜）被称为“海岛”（以赛亚书66:19）；基提也是（耶利米书2:10；以西结书27:6）。此外，当与“陆地或地”、“山”对比时，“海岛”也表示信之真理，因为它们被种植在海里。因此，它们表示作为仪式存在的教义。
New Century Edition
Cooper(2008,2013)
[NCE]1158. From these the islands of the nations dispersed in their lands means that the worship of many other nations sprang from them. The islands are particular regions — and so particular types of worship — that were even further removed; the lands are general ones. This can be seen from the symbolism of islands in the Word.
Up to this point, the discussion has centered on people who engaged in outer worship that corresponded to inner. Japheth's seven sons symbolized those who came closer to true inner worship. The seven sons that Gomer and Javan had between them symbolized those who stood further from true inner worship. The islands of the nations symbolize those still further off. Strictly speaking, they symbolize people who lived together in mutual kindness yet in ignorance, not knowing anything about the Lord, the church's religious precepts, or inner worship, although they did have a kind of outward worship that they performed with devotion. The Word calls people like this islands, so at a deeper level, islands symbolize worship that is more distant [from inner worship].
[2] People alive to the Word in its inner sense (angels, for instance) do not know what islands are because they no longer have a mental image of them. In place of islands they perceive worship that is further removed, like the worship that nations outside the church practice.
In a similar way, they also take islands to mean qualities in the genuine church that are somewhat more remote from charity — qualities like loyalty and politeness. Loyalty is not charity, politeness still less so; both are several steps below charity. The more they partake of charity, though, the more authentic they are.
[3] The following passages in the Word demonstrate that islands symbolize these things. In Isaiah:
Be silent for me, you islands, and let the peoples renew their strength; let them come near. The islands saw and were afraid; the ends of the earth shuddered; they approached and came. (Isaiah 41:1, 5)
The islands stand for nations outside the church that were honest and that practiced the outward forms of their worship with devotion. The farthest boundaries of the church are called the ends of the earth. In the same author:
He will not go dark, and will not shatter anything, till he establishes judgment on the earth; and for his law the islands wait. Sing Jehovah a new song, his praise from the end of the earth, you that go down to the sea and you that fill it, you islands and you who inhabit them. They will give glory to Jehovah, and his praise they will tell in the islands. (Isaiah 42:4, 10, 12)
Here too islands stand for nations outside the church that have lived in ignorance, simple innocence, and honesty.
[4] In the same author:
Pay attention to me, you islands, and listen carefully, you people from far away. (Isaiah 49:1)
Once again they stand for those nations that are further removed from worship of the Lord and from knowledge of the true faith and who are therefore described as being "from far away." In the same author:
In me the islands will put their hope, and for my arm they will wait. (Isaiah 51:5)
The islands here stand for the same people. Because these are people who live uprightly, it says, "In me they will put their hope, and for my arm they will wait." In Jeremiah:
Listen to the Word of Jehovah, you nations, and tell it in the islands far away. (Jeremiah 31:10)
They stand for the same people. In Zephaniah:
Jehovah is fearsome over them, since he will starve all the gods of the earth to death. And all the islands of the nations will bow down to him, each individual from her or his own place. (Zephaniah 2:11)
The islands of the nations stand for nations somewhat cut off from any knowledge of the true faith.
[5] In David:
Jehovah is reigning. Let the earth rejoice; let the many islands be glad! Cloud and darkness are all around him. (Psalms 97:1-2)
They stand for the same people. The ignorance of these people is expressed in a representative way by the cloud and darkness; but since they have a simple innocence and honesty, it says that the cloud and darkness are all around Jehovah.
Because islands symbolize what is relatively distant [from true worship], Tarshish, Pul,{*1} Lud, Tubal, and Javan — which symbolize outward forms of worship — are also called islands (Isaiah 66:19). So is Kittim (Jeremiah 2:10 and Ezekiel 27:6).
When islands are contrasted with the earth or with mountains, they also symbolize religious truth, and this is because they are set in the sea. In consequence, they mean doctrinal matters — that is, ritual.
Footnotes:
{*1} Although Swedenborg elsewhere uses "Put" for the place-name mentioned in Isaiah 66:19 (for example, at 1156:1 above), here he uses the alternate form "Pul." Both are associated with Libya. [Editors]
Potts(1905-1910) 1158
1158. From these were dispersed the isles* of the nations in their lands. That this signifies that the worships of many nations originated from these, that "isles" are particular regions and thus particular worships which were still more remote, and that "lands" are their generals, is evident from the signification of "isles" in the Word. Thus far they have been treated of who had external worship corresponding to internal. By the seven sons of Japheth were signified those who approached nearer to true internal worship; by the seven sons of Gomer and at the same time of Javan, those who were more remote from true internal worship. By "the isles of the nations" are signified those who are still more remote, and properly those who lived in mutual charity with one another, but yet in ignorance, knowing nothing about the Lord, about the doctrinals of faith of the church, and about internal worship; but who yet had a certain external worship which they religiously observed. Such are called "isles" in the Word, and therefore by "isles," in the internal sense, there is signified worship which is more remote from internal worship. [2] They who are in the internal sense of the Word, as the angels are, have no knowledge of isles, for they no longer have any idea of such things;** but instead of them they perceive a remoter worship, such as is that of the nations out of the church. And in like manner by "isles" they perceive those things within the church itself which are somewhat remote from charity, as are friendships and civilities. Friendship is not charity, and still less is politeness charity-these are degrees below charity; and the more they derive from charity the more sincere they are. [3] That such things are signified by "islands" may be seen from the following passages from the Word. In Isaiah:
Keep silence before Me, O Islands; and let the peoples renew their strength, let them come near. The isles saw, and feared; the ends of the earth trembled; they drew near, and came (Isa. 41:1, 5). Here "islands" denote upright nations out of the church who have religiously observed their external worship. The furthest limits of the region where the church is are called "the ends of the earth." In the same:
He shall not be dark, and shall not break in pieces till He has set judgment in the earth, and the isles shall wait for His law. Sing unto Jehovah a new song, His praise from the end of the earth, ye that go down to the sea, and the fullness thereof, the isles and the inhabitants thereof. Let them give glory to Jehovah, and declare His praise in the islands (Isa. 42:4, 10, 12). Here also "islands" denote nations out of the church, who have lived in ignorance, simplicity, and uprightness. [4] In the same:
Listen, O Isles, unto Me, and hearken, ye peoples from far (Isa. 49:1), likewise denoting those nations which are more remote from the worship of the Lord, and from the knowledges of faith; wherefore it is said "from far." Again:
The Isles shall hope in Me, and on Mine arm shall they wait (Isa. 51:5), denoting the same. Because they are such as live in uprightness, it is said, "they shall hope in Me, and on Mine arm shall they wait." In Jeremiah:
Hear the word of Jehovah, O ye nations, and declare it in the Isles afar off (Jer. 31:10), Jehovah will be terrible unto them, for with leanness He will consume all the gods of the earth and they shall bow themselves down to Him, everyone from his place, even all the isles of the nations (Jer. 2:11). "The isles of the nations" denote nations more remote from the knowledges of faith. [5] In David:
Jehovah reigneth; let the earth rejoice let the multitude of isles be glad. Clouds and darkness are round about Him (Ps. 97:1, 2). denoting the same. Their ignorance is here representatively expressed by "clouds and darkness;" but because they are in simplicity and uprightness it is said "round about Him." Because by "islands" are signified those things which are more remote, Tarshish, Pul, Lud, Tubal, and Javan also-by whom were signified external worships-are called "islands" (Isa. 66:19). So also Kittim (Jer. 2:10; Ezek. 27:6). When contrasted with "lands," or with "mountains," "islands" signify also the truths of faith, from being in the sea; thus they signify doctrinals which are rituals. * In Scripture language every country is called an "isle," or "island," that is approached from canal by crossing the sea. [REVISER.] ** That is, of course, in this connection. [REVISER.]
Elliott(1983-1999) 1158
1158. 'From these the islands of the nations in their lands were spread abroad' means that the worship of even more nations emanated from these - 'islands' being individual pieces of land, and so individual forms of worship, which were more remote still, and 'lands' the general features of those forms of worship. This is clear from the meaning of 'islands' in the Word. Up to now the subject has been those who had external worship corresponding to internal. The seven sons of Japheth have meant those who came nearer to true internal worship, the seven sons of Gomer and of Javan together have meant those who were more remote from true internal worship. 'The islands of the nations' means those who are more remote still, strictly speaking those who lived in charity with one another but who were nevertheless uninformed people who knew nothing whatever about the Lord, about the Church's teachings concerning faith, or about internal worship. They did have some form of external worship however, which they kept up devoutly. Such people are called 'islands' in the Word, and therefore 'islands' means in the internal sense worship that is more remote.
[2] Those who possess the internal sense of the Word, as angels do, are unaware of what islands are, for they no longer have any ideas of such things. Instead of islands they perceive a more remote kind of worship like that found among gentile nations outside the Church. In a similar way they also perceive by islands things inside the Church itself which are somewhat more remote from charity, as forms of friendship and civility are. Friendship is not the same as charity, civility even less so. They are steps down from charity, though the more they draw from charity the more genuine they are.
[3] The fact that 'islands' has this meaning becomes clear from the following places in the Word: In Isaiah,
Keep silent before Me, O islands, and let the peoples renew their strength, let them approach. The islands saw and were afraid, the ends of the earth trembled; they drew near and came. Isa 41:1, 5.
Here 'islands' stands for upright gentiles outside the Church who have devoutly kept up their own type of external worship. The furthest limits of the Church are called 'the ends of the earth'. In the same prophet,
He will not be in darkness, and He will not break up until He has set judgement on the earth; and the islands wait for His law. Sing to Jehovah a new song, His praise from the end of the earth, you that go down to the sea, and all that is in it, the islands and their inhabitants. They will give glory to Jehovah, and declare His praise in the islands Isa 42:4, 10, 12.
Here again 'islands' stands for gentiles outside the Church who have lived without knowledge, in simplicity and uprightness.
[4] In the same prophet,
Listen to Me, O islands, and hearken, O peoples from afar. Isa 49:1.
This similarly stands for gentile nations who are more remote from worship of the Lord and from the cognitions of faith; hence the expression 'from afar' is used. In the same prophet,
In Me the islands will hope and await My arm. Isa 51:5.
Here too 'islands' has the same meaning. The phrase 'in Me they will hope and await My arm' is used because they are people who are living uprightly. In Jeremiah,
Hear the Word of Jehovah, O nations, and declare it in the islands afar off. Jer 31:10.
Once again 'islands' has the same meaning. In Zephaniah,
Jehovah will be terrible against them, for He will destroy with leanness all the gods of the earth, and to Him will bow down, each in its place, all the islands of the nations. Zeph 2:11.
'The islands of the nations' stands for gentile nations more remote from cognitions of faith.
[5] In David,
Jehovah reigns, let the earth rejoice, let the many islands be glad! Cloud and thick darkness are round about Him. Ps 97:l, 2.
Again 'islands' has the same meaning. Here their lack of knowledge is expressed in representative fashion by means of 'cloud and thick darkness'. But because they are living in simplicity and uprightness the phrase 'round about Him' is used. Because 'islands' means things that are more remote, 'Tarshish, Pul, Lud, Tubal, and Javan' also, who meant forms of external worship, were called 'islands', in Isa 66:19, as also is Kittim in Jer 2:10; Ezek 27:6. Furthermore when islands are mentioned as distinct from land or mountains they mean truths of faith because they are planted in the sea. Thus they mean doctrinal teachings which exist as forms of ritual.
Latin(1748-1756) 1158
1158. Quod 'ex his dispersae sunt insulae gentium in terris suis' significent quod plurium gentium cultus ex illis exstiterint, et quod 'insulae' sint particulares tractus, ita particulares cultus, qui adhuc remotiores fuerunt, et quod 'terrae' sint illorum communia, constat ex significatione 'insularum', in Verbo. Huc usque actum est de illis qui cultum externum habuerunt correspondentem interno; per 'septem filios Japheti' significati sunt illi qui propius ad verum cultum internum accesserunt; per 'septem filios Gomeri et simul Javanis,' illi qui remotius a vero cultu interno fuerunt; per 'insulas gentium' significantur illi qui adhuc remotius, et proprie illi qui inter se mutuo in charitate vixerunt sed usque in ignorantia, non scientes quicquam de Domino, de doctrinalibus fidei Ecclesiae, et de cultu interno; sed tamen quendam externum cultum habuerunt quem religiose observarunt; tales vocantur 'insulae' in Verbo, quare per insulas significatur in sensu interno cultus qui remotior est: [2] qui in sensu interno Verbi sunt, ut angeli, ignorant quid insulae, talium enim ideam amplius non habent; sed pro iis percipiunt cultum remotiorem qualis est gentium extra Ecclesiam: similiter etiam per insulas percipiunt illa intra ipsam Ecclesiam quae aliquantum remotiora sunt a charitate, sicut sunt amicitiae et civilitates; amicitia non est charitas, minus adhuc civilitas, sed sunt gradus infra charitatem, at quo plus trahunt a charitate, eo plus sunt sincerae. [3] Quod per 'insulas' talia significentur, constare potest ab his in Verbo locis; apud Esaiam, Obmutescite Mihi, insulae, et populi innovent vires, accedant.... Viderunt insulae et timuerunt, fines terrae trepidarunt, appropinquarunt et venerunt, xli 1, 5;ibi 'insulae' pro gentibus probis extra Ecclesiam, qui cultum suum externum religiose observarunt; ultimi termini ubi Ecclesia, appellantur 'fines terrae': apud eundem, Non caligabit, et non confringet, donec ponit in terra judicium, et legem Ipsius insulae exspectant.... Cantate Jehovae canticum novum, laudem Ipsius a fine terrae, descendentes mare, et plenitudo ejus, insulae et habitatores earum.... Ponent Jehovae gloriam, et laudem Ipsius in insulis indicabunt, xlii 4, 10, 12;
'insulae' hic quoque pro gentibus extra Ecclesiam qui in ignorantia, simplicitate et probitate vixerunt: [4] apud eundem, Attendite insulae ad Me, et auscultate populi e longinquo, xlix 1;
similiter pro gentibus illis quae remotiores sunt a cultu Domini et a cognitionibus fidei, quare dicitur 'e longinquo': apud eundem In Me insulae sperabunt, et brachium Meum exspectabunt li 5;@pro iisdem; quia sunt qui in probitate vivunt, dicitur 'in Me sperabunt, et brachium Meum exspectabunt': apud Jeremiam,@Audite Verbum Jehovae gentes, et indicate in insulis longinquo, xxxi 10;@pro iisdem: apud Zephaniam,@Formidabilis Jehovah super illis, quia macie conficiet omnes deos terrae; et incurvabunt se Ipsi, quisque de loco suo, omnes insulae gentium, ii 11;@'insulae gentium' pro gentibus remotioribus a cognitionibus fidei: [5] apud Davidem,@Jehovah regnat, exsultet terra, laetentur insulae multae; nubes et caligo circum circa Ipsum, Ps. xcvii 1, [2];@pro iisdem; ignorantia eorum hic repraesentative exprimitur per 'nubem et caliginem,' sed quia in simplicitate et probitate, dicitur 'circum circa Ipsum.' Quia per 'insulas' significantur illa quae remotiora sunt, etiam Tarshish, Pul, Lud, Tubal et Javan per quos significati sunt externi cultus, appellati sunt 'insulae,' Esai. lxvi 19, tum quoque Kittim Jer. ii 10; Ezech. xxvii 6. Insulae quoque cum opponuntur terrae aut montibus, significant vera fidei, ex eo quod in mari sint; ita doctrinalia, quae sunt ritualia.@$