6524.“和法老家中的长老”表与良善一致的事物。这从“长老”和“家”的含义清楚可知：“长老”是指智慧的首要事物，因而是指与良善一致的事物，如下文所述；“家”是指良善（参看2559，3652，3720，4982节）。“长老”之所以表示智慧的首要事物，是因为在圣言中，“老年人”表示智慧人，就从人抽象出来的意义而言，表示智慧。由于“以色列十二支派”表示整体上的一切真理和良善，所以他们也有管理他们的首领和长老。“首领”表示构成聪明的首要真理，“长老”表示智慧的首要事物，因而表示良善的事物。
“首领”表示构成聪明的首要真理（参看1482，2089，5044节）；而“长老”表示智慧的首要事物，“老年人（经上或译为年老的、老人等）”表示智慧，这一点从以下经文明显看出来。诗篇：
愿他们在民的会中尊崇耶和华，在长老的位上赞美祂。（诗篇107:32）
“民的会”表示那些处于构成聪明的真理之人，“会（众）”论及真理（6355节），“民”也论及真理（1259，1260，2928，3295，3581节）；“长老的位”那些处于属智慧的良善之人，因为智慧与生活有关，因而与良善有关，而聪明与知识有关，因而与真理有关（1555节）。又：
我比年老的更智慧，因我守了你的训令。（诗篇119:100）
“年老的”明显表示智慧人。在约伯记也是如此：
年老的有智慧；日子久长的有聪明。（约伯记12:12）
摩西五经：
在白发的人面前，你要起来；也要尊敬老人的脸面。（利未记19:32）
之所以如此吩咐，是因为“老人”代表智慧。
启示录：
我看见二十四位长老坐在宝座上，身穿白衣，头上戴着金冠冕。（启示录4:4）
“长老”表示属于智慧的事物，因而表示属于良善的事物；“长老”表示这些事物，这一点从对长老的描述明显看出来，即：他们“坐在宝座上，身穿白衣，头上戴着金冠冕”；因为“宝座”表示源于属智慧的良善、构成聪明的真理（5313节）；而“白衣”具有同样的含义，“衣服”是指真理（1073，4545，4763，5248，5954节），“白”论及真理（3301，5319节）。他们“头上所戴的金冠冕”表示智慧的良善，因为“金”是指爱之良善（113，1551，1552，5658节），“头”是指属天层，就是智慧所在之处（4938，4939，5328，6436节）。那些在第三或至内层天堂，因而离主最近的人被称为“智慧人”；而那些在中间或第二层天堂，因而离主不那么近的人被称为“聪明人”。
又：
众天使都站在宝座和众长老并四活物的周围。（启示录7:11）；
“长老”也表示属于智慧的事物。在以下经文中同样如此。以赛亚书：
少年人必侮慢老年人，卑贱人必侮慢尊贵人。（以赛亚书3:5）
又：
万军之耶和华必在锡安山、在耶路撒冷作王，在祂的长老面前必有荣耀。（以赛亚书24:23）
耶利米哀歌：
我的祭司和长老正为自己寻求食物以救回性命（或灵魂）的时候，就在城中绝气。（耶利米哀歌1:19）
又：
她的君王和首领落在没有律法的列族中；锡安女子的长老，坐在地上默默无声。（耶利米哀歌2:9，10）
又：
他们在锡安玷污妇人，在犹大的城邑玷污处女；他们吊起首领的手，也不尊敬老人的面；众长老在城门口断绝。（耶利米哀歌5:11，12，14）
以西结书：
灾难加上灾难，风声接连风声。他们必向先知求异象，但祭司讲的律法，长老设的谋略，都必断绝。君王要悲哀，首领要披上惊惶。（以西结书7:26，27）
撒迦利亚书：
将来必有年老的男女坐在耶路撒冷街上，因为年纪老迈，个个都手拿拐杖。（撒迦利亚书8:4）
为使“长老”能代表属于智慧的事物，降于摩西的灵被分赐给他们，他们凭这灵而说预言（民数记11:16等）。在反面意义上，“长老”表示与智慧相对立的事物（以西结书8:11，12）。
Potts(1905-1910) 6524
6524. The elders of his house. That this signifies that were in agreement with good, is evident from the signification of "elders," as being the chief things of wisdom, thus those which agree with good (of which in what follows); and from the signification of "house," as being good (see n. 2559, 3652, 3720, 4982). That "elders" denote the chief things of wisdom is because in the Word "old men" signify the wise, and in a sense abstracted from person, wisdom. As the "twelve tribes of Israel" signified all truths and goods in the complex, there were set over them princes and elders, and by "princes" were signified the primary truths which are of intelligence, and by "elders" the chief things of wisdom, thus those which are of good. [2] That "princes" signify the primary truths which are of intelligence, may be seen above (n. 1482, 2089, 5044); but that "elders" signified the chief things of wisdom, and "old men," wisdom, is plain from the following passages. In David:
Let them extol Jehovah in the congregation of the people, and praise Him in the assembly of the elders (Ps. 107:32); where the "congregation of the people" denotes those who are in the truths that belong to intelligence, "congregation" being predicated of truths (n. 6355), and also "people" (n. 1259, 1260, 2928, 3295, 3581); and the "assembly of the elders" denotes those who are in good, which is of wisdom; for wisdom is of life, thus of good, but intelligence is of knowledges, thus of truth (n. 1555). Again:
I am wiser than the elders, because I have kept Thy commandments (Ps. 119:100);
where the "elders" manifestly denote him who is wise. So in Job:
In old men there is wisdom, and in length of days intelligence (Job 12:12). In Moses:
Thou shalt rise up before the gray head, and honor the faces of the old man (Lev. 19:32);
this was commanded because old men represented wisdom. [3] In Revelation:
Upon the thrones I saw twenty-four elders sitting, clothed in white garments, who had golden crowns upon their heads (Rev. 4:4);
"elders" denote the things which belong to wisdom, thus those which belong to good; that "elders" denote these things is evident from the description-that they "sat on thrones, were clothed in white garments, and had crowns of gold on their heads;" for "thrones" denote the truths of intelligence from the good of wisdom (n. 5313); in like manner "white garments" (that "garments" are truths, n. 1073, 4545, 4763, 5248, 5954; and that "white" is predicated of truth, n. 3301, 5319). "Golden crowns upon their heads" denote the goods of wisdom; for "gold" is the good of love (n. 113, 1551, 1552, 5658), and the "head" is the celestial, where is wisdom (n. 4938, 4939, 5328, 6436). They are called "wise" who are in the third or inmost heaven, thus who are nearest the Lord; but they are called "intelligent" who are in the middle or second heaven, thus who are not so near the Lord. [4] Again:
All the angels stood round about the throne, and the elders, and the four animals (Rev. 7:11);
where also "elders" denote the things that belong to wisdom. So in the following passages. In Isaiah:
The child will puff himself up against the old man, and the despised against the honored one (Isa. 3:5);
Again:
Jehovah Zebaoth shall reign in Mount Zion, and in Jerusalem; and before His elders shall be glory (Isa. 24:23). In Jeremiah:
My priests and mine elders expired in the city, because they have sought food for themselves wherewith to refresh their soul (Lam. 1:19). Again:
Her king and her princes are among the nations, the law is not; the elders of the daughter of Zion sit upon the earth, they keep silence (Lam. 2:9, 10). Again:
They ravished the women in Zion, the virgins in the cities of Judah; princes were hanged up by their hand; the faces of the old were not honored; the elders have ceased from the gate (Lam. 5:11, 12, 14). In Ezekiel:
Misery shall come upon misery, and rumor shall be upon rumor; therefore they shall seek a vision from the prophet; but the law hath perished from the priest, and counsel from the elders. The king shall mourn, and the prince shall be clothed with amazement (Ezek. 7:26, 27). In Zechariah:
There shall yet old men and old women dwell in the streets of Jerusalem, and every man with his staff in his hand for multitude of days (Zech. 8:4). That the elders might represent the things that belong to wisdom, the spirit of Moses was taken and given them, whence they prophesied (Num. 11:16, et seq.). In the opposite sense "elders" denote the things that are contrary to wisdom (Ezek. 8:11, 12).
Elliott(1983-1999) 6524
6524. 'The elders of his house' means the things that would accord with good. This is clear from the meaning of 'the elders' as the chief characteristics of wisdom, thus things that accord with good, dealt with below; and from the meaning of 'house' as good, dealt with in 2559, 3652, 3720, 4982. The reason why 'elders' means the chief characteristics of wisdom is that in the Word 'old people' means those who are wise, and - in a sense detached from persons - wisdom. Since 'the twelve tribes of Israel' meant all truths and forms of good in their entirety, they had princes and also elders set over them. 'Princes' meant the leading truths constituting intelligence, and 'elders' the chief characteristics of wisdom, thus those of good.
[2] For the meaning of 'princes' as the leading truths constituting intelligence, see 1482, 2089, 5044. But as regards the meaning of 'elders' as the chief characteristics of wisdom, and of 'old people' as wisdom, this is evident from the following places: In David,
They will extol Jehovah in the congregation of the people, and in the assembly of the old they will praise Him. Ps 107:32.
'The congregation of the people' stands for those who are ruled by truths constituting intelligence, since 'congregation' is used with reference to truths, 6355, as also is 'people', 1259, 1260, 2928, 3295, 3581; 'the assembly of the old' stands for those who are ruled by good, which belongs to wisdom since wisdom is concerned with life, thus with what is good, whereas intelligence is concerned with knowing, thus with what is true, 1555. In the same author,
I am wiser than the old, because I have kept Your commands. Ps 119:100.
'The old' plainly stands for one who is wise. Likewise in Job,
In the old there is wisdom, in length of days intelligence. Job 12:12.
In Moses,
You shall rise before grey hair and respect the face of an old person. Lev 19:32.
This command was given because 'old people' represented wisdom.
[3] In John,
On the thrones I saw twenty-four elders seated, clad in white garments, who had on their heads crowns of gold. Rev 4:4.
'Elders' stands for aspects of wisdom, thus of good. That these are meant by the elders is evident from the description of the elders - they sat on thrones, were clad in white garments, and had crowns of gold on their heads. 'Thrones' are truths constituting intelligence which are derived from good belonging to wisdom, 5313. 'White garments' has a similar meaning, 'garments' being truths, 1073, 4545, 4763, 5248, 5954, and 'white' that which has reference to truth, 3301, 5319. 'Crowns of gold on their heads' are forms of the good of wisdom; for 'gold' is the good of love, 113, 1551, 1552, 5658, and 'head' is the celestial, the seat of wisdom, 4938, 4939, 5328, 6436. Those who are in the third or inmost heaven, thus who are nearest the Lord, are called the wise, whereas those in the middle or second heaven, thus who are not as near the Lord, are called intelligent.
[4] In the same book,
All the angels stood around the throne, and the elders, and the four living creatures. Rev 7:11.
Again 'the elders' stands for aspects of wisdom, as it does in the following places: In Isaiah,
The boy will uplift himself against the old man, and the despised against the honourable. Isa 7:5.
In the same prophet,
Jehovah Zebaoth will reign on Mount Zion and in Jerusalem, and before His elders, glory. Isa 24:23.
In Jeremiah,
My priests and my elders breathed their last in the city, for they sought food for themselves, with which they would renew their soul. Lam 1:19.
In the same prophet,
Her king and her princes are among the nations; the law is no more. The elders of the daughter of Zion sit on the ground, they become silent. Lam 2:9, 10.
In the same prophet,
They have ravished women in Zion, virgins in the cities of Judah. Princes have been hung up by their hands, the faces of the old men have not been honoured, the elders have ceased from the gate. Lam 5:11, 12, 14.
In Ezekiel,
Misery will come upon misery, and rumour will be upon rumour. Therefore they will seek a vision from the prophet, but the law has perished from the priest, and counsel from the elders. The king will mourn, and the prince will be wrapped in stupidity. Ezek 7:26, 27.
In Zechariah,
Old men and women will again dwell in the streets of Jerusalem, and each one with his staff in his hand because of great age.a Zech 8:4.
So that 'the elders' might represent things that constitute wisdom, some of Moses' spirit was taken and imparted to them, by which they prophesied, Num 11:16 and following verses.
In the contrary sense 'elders' stands for the things that are the opposites of the aspects of wisdom, Ezek 8:11, 12.
Latin(1748-1756) 6524
6524. `Seniores domus ejus': quod significet quae concordarent cum bono, constat ex significatione `seniorum' quod sint praecipua sapientiae, ita concordantia cum bono, de qua sequitur; et ex significatione `domus' quod sit bonum, de qua n. 2559, 3652, 3720, 4982. Quod `seniores' sint praecipua sapientiae, est quia `senes' in Verbo significant sapientes, ac in sensu a persona abstracto sapientiam; quoniam `duodecim tribus Israelis' significabant omnia vera et bona in complexu, super illos positi sunt principes et quoque seniores, et per `principes' significabantur primaria vera quae sunt intelligentiae, et per `seniores' praecipua sapientiae, ita quae sunt boni; [2]quod `principes' significent primaria vera quae sunt intelligentiae, videatur n. 1482, 2089, 5044; quod autem `seniores' {1}significarent praecipua sapientiae, et `senes' sapientiam, patet ab his locis: apud Davidem, Extollent Jehovam in congregatione populi, et in consessu senum laudabunt Ipsum, Ps. cvii (x)32, `congregatio populi' pro illis qui sunt in veris quae sunt intelligentiae, nam congregatio praedicatur de veris, n. 6355, {2}et quoque populus, n. (x)1259, 1260, 2928, 3295, 3581; `consessus senum' pro illis qui sunt in bono quod est sapientiae; sapientia enim est vitae, ita boni, intelligentia autem est cognitionum, ita veri, n. 1555: apud eundem, Prae senibus sapiens sum, quia mandata tua custodivi, Ps. cxix 100;`senes' manifeste pro sapiente: pariter apud Hiobum, In senibus est sapientia, in longitudine dierum intelligentia, xii 12:
apud Mosen, Coram canitie surges, et honorabis facies senis, Lev. xix 32; hoc mandatum est, quia `senes' repraesentabant sapientiam: [3]apud Johannem, Super thronis vidi viginti quatuor seniores sedentes, indutos vestimentis albis, qui habebant super capitibus suis coronas aureas, Apoc. iv 4;
`seniores' pro illis quae sunt sapientiae, ita quae sunt boni; quod seniores sint illa, patet ex descriptione, quod nempe `sederint super thronis, induti fuerint vestimentis albis, et habuerint coronas aureas super capitibus'; `throni' enim sunt Vera intelligentiae ex bono quod sapientiae, n. 5313, `vestimenta alba' similiter; quod vestimenta sint Vera, n. 1073, 4545, 4763, 5248, 5954, et quod `album' praedicetur de vero, n. 3301, 5319; `coronae aureae super capitibus' sunt bona sapientiae, `aurum' enim est bonum amoris, n. 113, 1551, 1552, 5658, et `caput' est caeleste ubi sapientia, n. 4938, 4939, 5328, 6436; (m)sapientes dicuntur qui in tertio seu intimo caelo, ita qui proximi Domino; intelligentes autem qui in medio seu secundo caelo, ita qui non ita prope sunt Domino: [4](n)apud eundem, Omnes angeli steterunt circa thronum, et seniores, et quatuor animalia, Apoc. vii 11;
`seniores' etiam pro illis quae sunt sapientiae: etiam in sequentibus his locis, apud Esaiam, Efferet se puer contra (x)senem, et contemptus contra honoratum, iii 5:
apud eundem, Regnabit Jehovah Zebaoth in monte Zionis, et in Hierosolyma, et coram senioribus ejus gloria, xxiv 23:
apud Jeremiam, Sacerdotes mei et seniores mei in urbe exspirarunt, quia quaesiverunt cibum (x)sibi, quo recrearent animam suam, Thren. i 19:
apud eundem, Rex ejus et principes ejus inter gentes, non lex, . . . sedent in terra, conticescunt seniores filiae Zionis, Thren. ii 9, 10:
apud eundem, Mulieres in Zione compresserunt, virgines in urbibus Jehudae, principes manu eorum suspensi sunt, facies senum non honoratae, . . . seniores a porta cessarunt, Thren. v 11, 12, 14: apud Ezechielem, Miseria super miseriam veniet, et fama super famam erit, ideo quaerent visionem a propheta, sed lex periit a sacerdote, et consilium a senioribus; rex lugebit, et princeps induetur stupore, vii 26, 27:
apud Zachariam, Adhuc habitabunt senes mares et mulieres in plateis Hierosolymae, et vir cujus in manu scipio ejus prae multitudine dierum, viii (x)4. Ut `seniores' repraesentarent illa quae sapientiae sunt, sumptum est de spiritu Mosis et datum illis, unde prophetarunt, Num. xi 16 seq. (m)Seniores {3} in opposito sensu pro illis {4}quae contraria sapientiae sunt, Ezech. viii 11, 12.(n) @1 significent$ @2 tum$ @3 i etiam$ @4 qui in contrariis$