298.启6:2.“我就观看，见有一匹白马”表这些人对出于圣言的真理与良善的理解。“马”表示对圣言的理解，“白马”表示对出于圣言的真理的理解；因为“白”论及真理（167节）。“马”表示对圣言的理解，这在另一本单独的小册子《白马》中已经说明；不过，那里仅引用了些许经文，故在此引用其它经文进一步予以证实。这一点从以下事实看得非常明显：约翰看到这些“马”从羔羊展开的书卷中出来；并且“活物说，你来看”；因为“活物”表示圣言（239，275，286节）；“书卷”同样表示圣言（256节）；“人子”，也就是此处的“羔羊”，表示圣言方面的主（44节）。由此明显可知，“马”在此表示对圣言的理解，而非表示别的。这一点从以下启示录经文看得更明显：
我看见天开了，看哪，有一匹白马，骑在马上的称为神之道，在祂衣服和大腿上有名写着，万王之王，万主之主。在天上的众军骑着白马跟随祂。（启示录19:11，13，14，16）
“马”表示对圣言的理解，这一点也可从以下经文明显看出来：
耶和华啊，你乘在马上，坐在得胜的车上，是向洋海发愤恨吗？你乘马践踏红海，就是多水的沼泽。（哈巴谷书 3:8，15）
耶和华的马蹄算如火石。（以赛亚书5:28）
到那日，我必以惊惶击打一切马匹，以颠狂击打骑马的；而对万民的一切马匹，我却要击打、使它们瞎眼。（撒迦利亚书12:4）
当那日，马的铃铛上必有“归耶和华为圣”。（撒迦利亚书14:20）
因为神使她忘记智慧，也未将悟性赐给它。她几时升到高处，就嗤笑马和骑马的人。（约伯记39:17-18等）
我必除灭耶路撒冷的战马，他必向列族讲和平。（撒迦利亚书9:10）
雅各的神啊，你的斥责一发，坐车的、骑马都沉睡了。（诗篇76:6）
我必倾覆列国的宝座，并倾覆战车和坐在其上的，马和骑马的都必跌倒。（哈该书2:22）
我要用你打碎列国；用你驱散马和骑马的。（耶利米书51:20，21）
你们要从四方聚到我献祭之地；你们必在我席上饱吃马匹和坐车的人，我必显我的荣耀在列族中。（以西结书39:17，20-21）
你们聚集来赴神的大筵席，可以吃马和骑马者的肉。（启示录19:17，18）
但必作路中的角蛇，咬伤马蹄，使骑马的坠落于后；耶和华啊，我向来等候你的救恩。（创世记49:17-18）
大能者啊，愿你的大腿边佩剑，升起，乘驾真理之道。（诗篇45:3-4）
你们当向神唱诗，颂扬那乘驾密云者。（诗篇68:4）
看哪，耶和华乘驾快云。（以赛亚书19:1）
你们要向那乘驾自古诸天之天的主唱诗。（诗篇68:32-33）
神骑着基路伯。（诗篇18:10）
那时，你就会以耶和华为乐，我要使你乘驾地的高处。（以赛亚书58:14）
耶和华独自引导他，使他乘驾地的高处。（申命记32:12，13）
我要使以法莲被骑。（何西阿书10:11）
以法莲也表示对圣言的理解。由于以利亚和以利沙代表主的圣言，故他们被称为“以色列的战车马兵”，以利沙对以利亚说：
我父啊，以色列的战车马兵啊。（列王纪下2:12）
约阿施王对以利沙说，我父啊，以色列的战车马兵啊。（列王纪下13:14）
耶和华开了少年人以利沙的眼目，他就看见，看哪，满山有火马火车围绕以利沙。（列王纪下6:17）
“战车”表示取自圣言的教义，“马兵”表示凭教义变得智慧者。以下经文中的所表相同：
四辆马车从两座铜山之间出来，分别套着红、黑、白、斑纹四种马，还被称为四个灵，可以说是从侍立在全地之主面前出来的。（撒迦利亚书6:1-8，15）
在这些地方，“马”表示对圣言的理解，或对源自圣言的真理的理解，这在其它地方也一样。
这一点从所提及的反面意义上的“马”看得更清楚，它们在反面意义上表示对圣言和真理的理解因推理被歪曲了，同样被毁坏了；还表示人自己的聪明。如以下经文：
祸哉，那些下埃及求帮助的；是因仗赖马匹，却不仰望以色列的圣者；埃及人不过是人，并不是神，他们的马不过是血肉，并不是灵。（以赛亚书31:1，3）
你总要立耶和华所拣选的人为以色列的王；只是他不可为自己加添马匹，也不可使百姓回埃及去，为要加添马匹。（申命记17:15，16）
之所以说这些事，是因为“埃及”表示出于人自己的聪明的知识和推理，对圣言真理的歪曲，就是此处的“马”由此而来。
亚述不能拯救我们，我们不再骑马。（何西阿书14:3）
有人靠车，有人靠马，但我们要以主我们的神为荣耀。（诗篇20:7；
靠马得救是枉然的。（诗篇33:17）
耶和华不喜悦马的力。（诗篇147:10）
主耶和华以色列的圣者说，你们得力在于信靠；你们却说，不然；因为我们要骑马逃奔；我们要骑迅速轻快的。（以赛亚书30:15-16）
耶和华要使犹大如威风凛凛的战马；骑马的也必羞愧。（撒迦利亚书10:3，5）
祸哉，这流人血的城，充满谎诈，马匹踢跳，车辆奔腾；马兵争先。（那鸿书3:1-4）
我必使巴比伦王率领马匹、车辆、马兵来攻击推罗；因马匹众多，尘土遮蔽你；你的城垣必因骑马的和战车的响声震动；他必用他的马蹄践踏你一切的街道。（以西结书26:7-11）
“推罗”表示教会对真理的认知，在此是指其中被歪曲了的认知，也就是“巴比伦的马”；此外还有其它经文（如以赛亚书5:28，耶利米书6:22，23，8:16，46:4，9，50:37，42，以西结书17:15，23:6，20，哈巴谷书1:6，8-10，诗篇66:12）。对圣言的理解被毁坏还由下文提到的“红、黑、灰马”来表示。“马”表示对出于圣言的真理的理解，这是出于灵界的表象。对此，可参看《白马》这个小册子。
298. And I looked, and behold, a white horse. (6:2) This symbolizes an understanding of truth and goodness from the Word among those people.
A horse symbolizes an understanding of the Word, and a white horse an understanding of truth from the Word. For the color white is predicated of truths (no. 167).
That a horse symbolizes an understanding of the Word is something we showed in a separate short work titled The White Horse. But because we cited only some passages there, we will present more here by way of confirmation. The reality of it is clearly apparent from the fact that horses were seen to go forth from the book which the Lamb opened, and that the living creatures said, "Come and see." For the living creatures symbolize the Word (nos. 239, 275, 286). So, too, does the book (no. 256). And the Son of Man, who here is the Lamb, is the Lord in relation to the Word (no. 44).
It is apparent from this, first, that nothing else is meant here by the horse than an understanding of the Word. This can be still more clearly seen from this later description in the book of Revelation:
I saw heaven opened, when behold, a white horse. And He who sat on him was called... The Word of God... And He has on His garment and on His thigh a name written: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS... And His armies in heaven... followed Him on white horses. (Revelation 19:11, 13-14, 16)
[2] That a horse symbolizes an understanding of the Word can be further seen from the following passages:
O Jehovah..., is Your wrath against the sea, that You ride on Your horses, Your chariots of salvation? ...You trampled the sea with your horses, the mud of many waters. (Habakkuk 3:8, 15)
The hooves of Jehovah's horses are regarded as rocks... (Isaiah 5:28)
On that day... I will strike every horse with stupor, and its rider with madness...; and I will strike every horse of the peoples with blindness. (Zechariah 12:4)
On that day shall there be upon the bells of the horses, "Holiness to Jehovah." (Zechariah 14:20)
Because God has made her forget wisdom, and did not impart to her understanding. When she lifts herself on high, she scorns the horse and its rider. (Job 39:17-18, and following verses)
I will cut off... the horse from Jerusalem... Rather He shall speak peace to the nations. (Zechariah 9:10)
At Your rebuke, (O Jehovah,) both the chariot and horse fell asleep. (Psalms 76:6)
I will overthrow the throne of kingdoms... and I will overthrow the chariots and those who ride in them; and the horses and their riders shall come down... (Haggai 2:22)
With you I will disperse... kingdoms; with you I will disperse the horse and its rider. (Jeremiah 51:20-21)
Assemble yourselves... from round about to My sacrifice... You will be satisfied at My table with horses and riders... (Thus) I will set My glory among the nations. (Ezekiel 39:17, 20-21)
...gather together for the great supper of God, (and) you (will) eat... the flesh of horses and of those who sit on them... (Revelation 19:17-18)
Dan shall be... a viper by the path, that bites the horse's heels, so that its rider falls backward. I have waited for your salvation, O Jehovah! (Genesis 49:17-18)
Gird Your sword..., O Mighty One... Mount up..., ride upon the Word of truth... (Psalms 45:3-4)
Sing to God...; extol Him who rides on the clouds... (Psalms 68:4)
Behold, Jehovah is riding on a... cloud... (Isaiah 19:1)
Sing praises to the Lord..., to Him who rides on the heaven of the heaven of old...! (Psalms 68:32-33)
(God) rode upon a cherub... (Psalms 18:10)
Then you shall delight yourself in Jehovah; and I will cause you to ride on the heights of the earth... (Isaiah 58:14)
Jehovah alone led him... (And) He made him ride in the heights of the earth... (Deuteronomy 32:12-13)
I will make Ephraim ride. (Hosea 10:11)
Ephraim also symbolizes an understanding of the Word.
[3] Since Elijah and Elisha represented the Lord in relation to the Word, therefore they were called the chariot of Israel and his horsemen. Elisha said to Elijah,
"My father, my father, the chariot of Israel and its horsemen!" (2 Kings 2:12)
And Joash said to Elisha,
"O my father..., the chariot of Israel and its horsemen!" (2 Kings 13:14)
Jehovah opened the eyes of (Elisha's) servant, and he saw, and behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha. (2 Kings 6:17)
A chariot symbolizes doctrine from the Word, and a horseman one who is wise as a result of it.
The following have similar symbolic meanings: The four chariots coming from between the bronze mountains in Zechariah, and the four horses harnessed to them, which were red, black, white, and dappled, called also four spirits, and said to go out from their station before the Lord of all the earth (Zechariah 6:1-8, 15). Horses in these places symbolize an understanding of the Word, or an understanding of truth from the Word. So, too, in other places.
[4] This can be further seen from horses mentioned in an opposite sense, in which they symbolize an understanding of the Word or of truth falsified by reasonings, and also extinguished, and likewise a person's own intelligence, as in the following passages:
Woe to those who go down to Egypt for help, and rely on horses..., and do not look to the Holy One of Israel... Egypt is man and not God, and its horses are flesh and not spirit. (Isaiah 31:1, 3)
You shall... set a king over (Israel) whom Jehovah... chooses... Only let him not multiply horses for himself, nor cause the people to return to Egypt to multiply horses. (Deuteronomy 17:15-16)
These statements are made because Egypt symbolizes knowledge and reasoning springing from a person's own intelligence, the result of which is a falsification of the Word's truth, which is the meaning of horses here.
Assyria shall not save us. We will not ride on a horse... (Hosea 14:3)
Some glory in chariots, and some in horses; but we will glory in the name of... our God. (Psalms 20:7)
A horse is a false means for safety. (Psalms 33:17)
(Jehovah) does not delight in the strength of the horse. (Psalms 147:10)
...thus says... the Holy One of Israel: ."..In... confidence shall be your strength." But... you said, "No..., ...we will flee on a horse...." And, "We will ride on a swift horse." (Isaiah 30:15-16)
...Jehovah... will make (Judah) as a glorious horse... ...the riders on horses shall be put to shame. (Zechariah 10:3, 5)
Woe to the bloody city! It is all full of lies... ...and the neighing horse, and the jolting chariot... The horseman causing to ascend... (Nahum 3:1-4)
...I will bring against Tyre... the king of Babylon..., with horses, with chariots, and with horsemen... Because of the abundance of his horses, their dust will cover you; your walls will shake at the noise of the horsemen... and the chariots... With the hooves of his horses he will trample all your streets. (Ezekiel 26:7-11)
Tyre symbolizes the church in respect to its concepts of truth, in this case these concepts falsified in it, which are the horses of Babylon. And so on in other places, as in Isaiah 5:28; Ezekiel 17:15; 23:6, 20; Habakkuk 1:6, 8-10; Psalms 66:12.
An understanding of the Word extinguished is symbolized also by the horses, fiery red, black and pale, in the verses that now follow.
To be shown that a horse symbolizes an understanding of truth from the Word owing to appearances in the spiritual world, see my small book titled The White Horse.
298. [verse 21 'And I saw and behold a white horse' signifies the understanding of truth and good out of the Word, with these. By 'a horse' is signified the understanding of the Word, and by 'a white horse' the understanding of truth out of the Word; for 'white' is predicated of truths (167). That 'a horse' signifies the understanding of the Word has been shown in a separate little work concerning THE WHITE HORSE, but because some passages only have been quoted there, more shall be quoted here in confirmation. This is quite plain from the fact that 'horses' were seen to go out of the book that the Lamb had opened, and that the animals said 'Come and look,' for by 'the animals' the Word is signified (239, 275, 286), by 'the book' likewise (256), and by the 'Son of Man,' Who here is 'the Lamb,' the Lord as to the Word (44). From these things it is at once plain that nothing else but the understanding of the Word is understood here by 'a horse.' This can be more manifestly established from these things below in the Apocalypse:
I saw heaven opened, until I beheld (dum ecce) a white horse, and the One sitting upon it is called the Word of God, and He has upon His raiment and upon His thigh a Name written, King of kings and Lord of lords: and His armies in heaven were following Him upon white horses. 19:11, 13-14, 16.
[2] That 'a horse' signifies the understanding of the Word can be established further from the following passages:
Is Thy growing anger against the sea, O Jehovah, that Thou dost ride upon Thy horses? Thy chariot is safety, Thou hast furnished shoes to Thy horses with the sea, the mud of the waters, Habakkuk 3:8, 15.
The hooves of Jehovah's horses are counted as pieces of rock. Isaiah 5:28.
In that day I will smite every horse with astonishment, and its rider with madness, and will smite every horse of the people, with blindness, Zechariah 12:4.
In that day there shall be upon the bells of the horse, Holiness to Jehovah, Zechariah 14:20.
Because God has made her to forget wisdom, neither has imparted intelligence, what time she lifts up herself on high, she laughs at the horse and its rider, Job 39:17-18 seq.
I will cut off the horse from Jerusalem, until (contra) he shall speak peace to the nations, Zechariah 9:10.
At Thy rebuke, O Jehovah 1, both the chariot and the horse have fallen asleep. Psalms 76:5-6 [H.B. 6-7].
I will overthrow the throne of kingdoms, and I will overthrow the chariot and those who ride in it, and the horses and their riders shall come down, Haggai 2:22.
By Thee will I scatter the kingdom, by Thee will I scatter the horse and its rider. Jeremiah 51:20-21.
Gather yourselves on every side upon My sacrifice, you shall be satisfied upon My table with horse and chariot, thus will I give My glory among the nations. Ezekiel 39:17, 20-21.
Gather yourselves together unto the supper of the great God, and you shall eat the flesh of horses and of those sitting upon them. Revelation 19:17-18.
Dan shall be a viper upon the way, biting the horse's heels, and its rider 2shall fall backwards, I wait for Thy salvation, O Jehovah. Genesis 49:17-18.
Gird on Thy sword, O Mighty One, mount, ride upon the Word of truth (veritas). Psalms 45:3-4 [H.B. 4-5].
Sing unto God, extol the One riding upon the clouds. Psalms 68:4; [H.B. 5].
Behold Jehovah riding upon a cloud. Isaiah 19:1-2.
Sing psalms unto the Lord, riding upon the heaven of the heaven of antiquity. Psalms 68:33; [H.B. 34].
God rode upon a cherub. Psalms 18:10; [H.B. 11].
Then shalt thou delight thyself in Jehovah, and I will make thee to ride upon the high places of the land. Isaiah 58:14.
Jehovah alone did lead him, and made him ride upon the high places of the land. Deuteronomy 32:12-13.
I will make Ephraim to ride. Hosea 10:11.
[3] 'Ephraim' also signifies the understanding of the Word. Since Elijah and Elisha used to represent the Lord as to the Word, they were therefore called 'the chariot of Israel and the horsemen thereof.' Elisha said to Elijah:
My father, my father, the chariot of Israel and the horsemen thereof, 2 Kings 2:12; and king Joash said to Elisha:
O my father, the chariot of Israel and the horsemen thereof, 2 Kings 13:14.
Jehovah opened the eyes of Elisha's boy, and he saw, and behold the mountain was full of horses and fiery chariots around Elisha, 2 Kings 6:17.
A 'chariot' signifies a doctrine out of the Word, and a 'horseman' the wisdom therefrom. Similar things are signified by:
The four chariots coming out from between the mountains of bronze, and by the four horses harnessed to them, which were red, black, white, and grizzled, which are also called four spirits, and are said to have gone forth from standing beside the Lord of the whole earth, Zechariah 6:1-8, 15.
By 'horses' in these places is signified the understanding of the Word, or the understanding of truth out of the Word; equally so in other places.
[4] This can be further established from 'horses' mentioned in the opposite sense, in which they signify the understanding of the Word and of truth falsified by reasonings, and destroyed likewise, also one's own intelligence, as in the following:
Woe to those going down to Egypt for help; and they lean upon horses, and look not unto the Holy One of Israel, for Egypt is man and not God, and the horses thereof are flesh and not spirit. Isaiah 31:1, 3.
Thou shalt set a king over Israel, whom Jehovah shall choose, only let him not multiply horses to himself, lest he lead the people back into Egypt, so that he may multiply horses. Deuteronomy 17:14-16.
These things were said because by 'Egypt' is signified knowledge and reasoning out of one's own intelligence, whence there is a falsification of the truth of the Word, which here is 'a horse.'
Asshur will not preserve us, we will not ride upon a horse, Hosea 14:3; [H.B. 4].
Some [trust] in chariots, and some in horses, but as for us we shall glory in the Name of our God. Psalms 20:7-8 [H.B. 8-9].
A horse is a lying creature (mendacium) for safety. Psalms 33:17.
Jehovah delights not in the strength of the horse. Psalms 147:10.
The Holy One of Israel says, In confidence shall be your strength, but you said, No, we will flee upon a horse, and we will ride upon a swift one. Isaiah 30:15-16.
Jehovah will set Judah as a horse of glory; the riders on horses shall be ashamed, Zechariah 10:3-5.
Woe to the city of bloods, all full of lying, and the horse neighing, and the chariot leaping, the horseman making to mount, Nahum 3:1-4.
I will bring against Tyre the king of Babel with horse and with chariot and with horsemen, by reason of the abundance of the horses their dust shall cover thee, by reason of the voice of the horseman and the chariot thy walls shall be shaken, with the hoofs of his horses shall he tread down all thy streets. Ezekiel 26:7-11.
By 'Tyre' is signified the Church as to cognitions of truth, here cognitions falsified therein, which are 'horses of Babel'; besides in other places, as Isaiah 5:26, 28; Jeremiah 6:22-23; 8:16; 46:4, 9; 50:37-38, 42; Ezekiel 17:15; 23:6, 20; Habakkuk 1:6, 8-10; Psalms 66:11-12. The understanding of the Word destroyed is also signified by the red, black, and pale 'horse' in the things now following. That 'horse' signifies the understanding of truth out of the Word is on account of appearances in the spiritual world. This may be seen in the little work concerning THE WHITE HORSE.
Footnotes:
1. So in the Original Edition; but Hebrew and Apocalypse Explained 355[11] have 'O God of Jacob.'
2. Reading eques instead of equus (horse).
298. Verse 2. And I saw, and behold, a white horse, signifies the understanding of truth and good from the Word with these. By "horse" is signified the understanding of the Word, and by "a white horse" the understanding of truth from the Word; for white is predicated of truth, (167[1-2]). That "a horse" signifies the understanding of the Word, is shown in a separate small work on The White Horse; but as a few passages only are there quoted, others shall be here quoted by way of further confirmation. This is very manifest from this that "horses" were seen to go out of the book which the Lamb had opened, and from "the animals saying, Come and look;" for by "the animals" is signified the Word, (239, 275, 286); so likewise by "the book" (256); and by "the Son of man," who is here "the Lamb," the Lord as to the Word, (44[1-2]). From these things it is now evident, that nothing is meant here by "horse" but the understanding of the Word. This may appear more manifestly still from the following passages in Revelation:
I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse, and He that sat upon him is called the Word of God, and He hath on His vesture and on His thigh a name written, King of kings and Lord of lords. And His armies in the heavens followed Him upon white horses, (Revelation 19:11, 13-14, 16).
[2] That "a horse" signifies the understanding of the Word, may also appear from the following passages:
Was thy wrath against the sea, O Jehovah, that Thou didst ride upon Thy horses, and Thy chariots of salvation? Thou didst tread the sea with Thy horses, the mud of the waters, (Habakkuk 3:8, 15).
The hoofs of Jehovah's horses are counted as flints, (Isaiah 5:28).
In that day I will smite every horse with astonishment, and his rider with madness; and will smite every horse of the people with blindness, (Zechariah 12:4).
In that day there shall be upon the bells of the horses holiness unto Jehovah, (Zechariah 14:20).
Because God hath made her forget wisdom, neither hath imparted intelligence. What time she lifteth up herself on high she laugheth at the horse and his rider, (Job 39:17-18).
And I will cut off the horse from Jerusalem, and he shall speak peace to the nations, (Zechariah 9:10).
At Thy rebuke, O God of Jacob, both the chariot and the horse are cast into a deep sleep, (Psalms 76:6).
And I will overthrow the throne of kingdoms, and I will overthrow the chariot and those that ride in them, and the horses and their riders shall come down, (Haggai 2:22).
By thee I will destroy kingdoms; and by thee I will disperse the horse and his rider, (Jeremiah 51:20-21).
Gather yourselves on every side to My sacrifice; thus shall ye be satiated at My table with horse and chariot, thus I will give My glory among the nations, (Ezekiel 39:17, 20-21).
Gather yourselves together unto the great supper of God; and ye shall eat the flesh of horses, and of them that sit on them, (Revelation 19:17-18).
Dan shall be an asp upon the path, that biteth the heels of the horse, so that his rider shall fall backwards; I wait for thy salvation, O Jehovah, (Genesis 49:17-18).
Gird on thy sword, O Mighty One, mount, ride upon the Word of truth, (Psalms 45:3-4).
Sing unto God, extol him that rideth upon the clouds, (Psalms 68:4).
Behold, Jehovah rideth upon a cloud, (Isaiah 19:1).
Sing psalms unto the Lord that rideth upon the heaven of heavens of old, (Psalms 68:32-33).
God rode upon a cherub, (Psalms 18:10).
Then shalt thou delight thyself in Jehovah, and I will cause thee to ride upon the high places of the earth, (Isaiah 58:14).
Jehovah alone did lead him, and made him to ride upon the high places of the earth, (Deuteronomy 32:12-13).
I will make Ephraim to ride, (Hosea 10:11).
[3] Ephraim also signifies the understanding of the Word. Because Elijah and Elisha represented the Lord as to the Word, therefore they were called "the chariot of Israel and his horsemen." Elisha said to Elijah:
My father, my father, the chariot of Israel and the horsemen thereof, (2 Kings 2:12).
And king Joash said to Elisha, O my father, the chariot of Israel and the horsemen thereof, (2 Kings 13:14).
Jehovah opened the eyes of Elisha's boy, and he saw, and behold the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire round about Elisha, (2 Kings 6:17).
A "chariot" signifies doctrine from the Word, and a "horseman," one that is wise by means of it. The same is signified by:
The four chariots which came out from between the mountains of brass, and by the four horses harnessed in them, which were red, black, white, and speckled, which are also called the four spirits, and are said to have gone forth from standing before the Lord of all the earth, (Zechariah 6:1-8, 15).
In these places, by "horses" is signified the understanding of the Word, or the understanding of truth from the Word, and in like manner in other places.
[4] It may appear still more clearly from the mention that is made of "horses" in the opposite sense, in which they signify the understanding of the Word and of truth falsified by reasonings, and likewise destroyed; as also one's own intelligence; as in the following passages:
Woe to them that go down to Egypt for help; and stay on horses, but look not unto the Holy One of Israel; for Egypt is man and not God, and the horses thereof flesh and not spirit, (Isaiah 31:1, 3).
Thou shalt set him king over Israel whom Jehovah shall choose; but only he shall not multiply horses to himself, lest he bring back the people into Egypt to multiply horses, (Deuteronomy 17:15-16).
These things were said, because by "Egypt" are signified science and reasoning from one's own intelligence, whence comes the falsification of the truth of the Word, which is here "a horse."
Asshur shall not save us, we will not ride upon a horse, (Hosea 14:3).
Some trust in chariots, and some in horses, but we will glory in the name of the Lord our God, (Psalms 20:7).
A horse is a false thing for safety, (Psalms 33:17).
Jehovah delighteth not in the strength of the horse, (Psalms 147:10).
The Holy One of Israel saith, In confidence shall be your strength; but ye said, No; for we will flee upon a horse; we will ride upon the swift, (Isaiah 30:15-16).
Jehovah will make Judah as a horse of glory; the riders on horses shall be ashamed, (Zechariah 10:3, 5).
Woe to the city of blood, it is all full of a lie, the neighing horses, and the leaping chariots; the horseman lifteth up, (Nahum 3:1-4).
I will bring against Tyre the king of Babylon, with horse and with chariot, and with horsemen; by reason of the abundance of horses their dust shall cover thee; thy walls shall be shaken at the voice of the horsemen and of the chariots; with the hoofs of his horses shall he tread down all thy streets, (Ezekiel 26:7-11).
By "Tyre" is signified the church as to the knowledges of truth, here such as are falsified in her, which are "the horses of Babylon," besides other places (as Isaiah 5:26, 28; Jeremiah 6:22-23; 8:16; 46:4, 9; 50:37-38, 42; Ezekiel 17:15; 23:6, 20; Habakkuk 1:6, 8-10; Psalms 66:12). The understanding of the Word destroyed is also signified by the "red, black, and pale horse," mentioned below. That it is from appearances in the spiritual world that "a horse" signifies the understanding of truth from the Word, see the small tract concerning The White Horse.
298. (Vers. 2.) "Et vidi et ecce Equus albus" significat intellectum veri et boni ex Verbo apud hos. - Per "Equum" significatur intellectus Verbi, et per "Equum album" intellectus veri ex Verbo; "album" enim praedicatur de veris (167). Quod "Equus" significet intellectum Verbi, ostensum est in singulari Opusculo de Equo Albo; at quia ibi solum aliqua loca allata sunt, in confirmationem hic afferentur plura; hoc patet manifeste ex eo, quod visi sint "equi" exire ex Libro quem Agnus aperuit, et quod "Animalia" dixerint, "veni et aspice;" per "Animalia" enim significatur Verbum (239, 275, 286) per "Librum" similiter (256) 1et per "Filium Hominis," Qui hic est "Agnus," Dominus quoad Verbum (44); ex his primum patet, quod non aliud per "equum" hic intelligatur, quam intellectus Verbi. Hoc manifestius constare potest ex his infra in Apocalypsi:
"Vidi Caelum apertum, dum ecce Equus Albus, et Sedens super illo vocatur Verbum Dei; et habet super vestimento et super femore Suo Nomen scriptum, Rex regum et Dominus dominorum; et Exercitus Ejus in Caelis sequebantur Ipsum super Equis albis," (19:11, 13-14, 16).
Quod "equus" significet intellectum Verbi, adhuc constare potest a sequentibus locis:
"Num contra mare excandescentia Tua, Jehovah, quod equites super Equis Tuis; Currus Tui salus, calcasti Mare Equis Tuis, lutum aquarum," (Habakuk 3:8, 15);
"Ungulae Equorum Jehovae sicut rupes reputantur," (Esaias 5:28);
"Die illo percutiam omnem Equum stupore, et Equitem ejus furore; et omnem Equum populorum percutiam caecitate," (Sacharias 12:4);
"In die illo erit super tintinnabulis Equi sanctitas Jehovae," (Sacharias 14:20);
"Quia oblivisci fecit eam Deus sapientiam, nec impertitus est intelligentiam, quo tempore in altum se attollit, ridet Equum et Equitem ejus," (Hiob 39:17-18, seq.);
"Exscindam Equum ex Hierosolyma, contra loquetur pacem gentibus," (Sacharias 9:10);
"Prae increpatione Tua, Deus Jacobi, 2obdormivit et currus et Equus," (Psalm 76:7 (B.A. Psalm 76:6); 3
"Evertam thronum regnorum, ac evertam Currum et Equitantes in eo, et descendent Equi et Equites eorum," (Haggaeus 2:22);
"Dispergam per Te regna, dispergam per Te Equum et Equitem ejus," (Jeremias 51:20-21);
Congregate vos a circuitu super sacrificium Meum; satiabimini super mensa Mea Equo et Curru; sic dabo gloriam Meam inter gentes, (Ezechiel 39:17, 20-21);
"Congregamini ad Caenam magnam Dei, et comedetis carnes Equorum et Sedentium super illis," (Apocalypsis 19:17-18);
Dan erit aspis super semita, mordens calcaneos Equi, et cadet Eques 4ejus retrorsum; salutem Tuam exspecto Jehovah," (Genesis 49:17-18);
"Accinge gladium Tuum, Potens, conscende, Equita super Verbo veritatis," (Psalm 45:4-5 (B.A. 3-4)); 5
"Cantate Deo, extollite Equitantem super nubibus," (Psalm 68:5 (B.A. 4));
"Ecce Jehovah Equitans super nube," (Esaias 19:1); 6
"Psallite Domino Equitanti super Caelo Caeli antiquitatis," (Psalm 68:33-34 (B.A. 32-33)); 7
"Deus Equitavit super Cherubo," (Psalm 18:11 (B.A. 10));
"Tunc deliciaberis in Jehovah, et Equitare te faciam super excelsa terrae," (Esaias 58:14);
"Jehovah solus duxit eum, et Equitare fecit eum super excelsa terrae, (Deuteronomius 32:12-13);
"Equitare faciam Ephraimum," (Hoschea 10:11);
"Ephraimus" etiam significat intellectum Verbi. Quoniam Elias et Elisaeus repraesentabant Dominum quoad Verbum, ideo illi vocati sunt "Currus Israelis et Equites ejus:"
Elisaeus dixit ad Eliam, "Pater mi, Pater mi, Currus Israelis et Equites ejus," (2 Regnum 2:12)
Et Joas Rex ad Elisaeum, "Pater mi, Currus Israelis et Equites ejus," (2 Regnum 13:14);
"Aperuit Jehovah oculos pueri Elisaei, et vidit et ecce mons plenus Equis et Curribus igneis circum Elisaeum," (2 Regnum 6:17);
"currus" significat doctrinam e Verbo, et "eques" sapientem inde. Similia significantur per Quatuor Currus exeuntes inter montes aeris, et per quatuor Equos illis alligatos, qui erant rufi, nigri, albi et grandinati, qui etiam vocantur quatuor Spiritus, et dicuntur exivisse a stando juxta Dominum totius terrae, (Sacharias 6:1-8, 15).
In his locis per "equos" significatur intellectus Verbi seu intellectus veri ex Verbo; pariter aliis in locis. Hoc adhuc constare potest ex "equis" in sensu opposito nominatis, in quo significant intellectum Verbi et veri per ratiocinia falsificatum, et quoque deperditum, tum propriam intelligentiam; ut in sequentibus:
"Vae descendentibus in Aegyptum pro auxiliis, et super Equis innituntur, et non respiciunt ad Sanctum Israelis: nam Aegyptus homo et non Deus, et Equi ejus caro et non spiritus," (Esaias 31:1, 3);
"Pones supra Israelem Regem, quem elegerit Jehovah: modo non multiplicet sibi Equos, ne reducat populum in Aegyptum, ut multiplicet Equos," (Deuteronomius 17:15-16); 8
haec dicta sunt, quia per "Aegyptum" significatur scientia ac ratiocinatio ex propria intelligentia, unde falsificatio veri Verbi, quae hic est "equus."
"Aschur non servabit nos, super Equo non Equitabimus," (Hoschea 14:4 (B.A. Hoschea 14:3));
"Hi in Curru et illi in Equis, nos vero in Nomine Dei nostri gloriabimur," (Psalm 20:8 (B.A. 7)); 9
"Mendacium Equus ad salutem," (Psalm 33:17);
"Jehovah non in robore Equi delectatur," (Psalm 147:10);
"Dixit Sanctus Israelis, in fiducia erit virtus Vestra: sed dixistis, Non super Equo fugiemus, et super Veloce Equitabimus," (Esaias 30:15-16);
Ponet Jehovah Jehudam sicut Equum gloriae: pudefient Equitantes Equis," (Sacharias 10:3, 5; 10
"Vae urbi sanguinum, tota mendacio plena, et Equus hinniens, et Currus saltitans; Eques ascendere faciens," (Nahum 3:1-4);
"Adducam contra Tyrum Regem Babelis cum Equo et cum Curru et cum Equitibus; prae abundantia Equorum obteget te pulvis eorum, prae voce Equitis et Currus commovebuntur muri tui; per ungulas Equorum suorum conculcabit omnes plateas tuas," (Ezechiel 26:7-11);
per "Tyrum" significatur Ecclesia quoad cognitiones veri, hic eas in illa falsificatas, quae sunt "equi Babelis."
(Praeter aliis in locis, ut Esaias 5:26, 28; Jeremias 6:22-23; 8:16; 46:4, 9; 50:37-38, 42; 11Ezechiel 17:15; 23:6, 20; 12Habakuk 1:6, 8-10; Psalm 66:12) 13
Intellectus Verbi deperditus etiam significatur per "equum rufum," "nigrum," et "pallidum" in nunc sequentibus. Quod "equus" significet veri ex Verbo, sit ex apparentiis in mundo spirituali, videatur in Opusculo de Equo Albo.
Footnotes:
1. 256 pro "257"
2. Deus Jacobi pro "Jehovah"
3. 7 pro "6, 7"
4. Eques pro "Equus"
5. 4, 5 pro "5, 6"
6. 1 pro "1, 2"
7. 33, 34 pro "34"
8. 15, 16 pro "14, 15, 16"
9. 8 pro "8, 9"
10. 3, 5 pro "3, 4, 5"
11. 42 pro "43"
12. 6, 20 pro "5, 20"
13. 12 pro "11, 12"