349.“以色列人各支派中受印的”表主的天堂与教会由他们组成。“支派”表示在生活良善方面的宗教信仰，“各支派”表示在一切爱之良善和源于这良善，也就是生活良善的一切真理方面的教会；因为有两样事物构成教会，就是爱之良善和教义之真理。这二者的婚姻就是教会。以色列十二支派代表并因此表示在该婚姻方面的教会，每个支派代表并因此表示其中某种普遍的良善之真理，或真理之良善。至于每个支派表示什么，迄今为止不为人知，没有揭示给任何人，也无法被揭示出来，以免由于不连贯的解读，隐藏在它们合而为一的结合里面的神圣遭到亵渎，因为它们的含义取决于它们的结合。
在照着出生而得名的次序（创世记2:7；30；35:18）中，他们具有一层含义，其出生次序如下：
流便，西缅，利未，犹大，但，拿弗他利，迦得，亚设，以萨迦，西布伦，约瑟，便雅悯。（创世记35:23-26）
在照着他们进埃及时被提及的次序中，他们具有另外一层含义，被提及的次序如下：
流便，西缅，利未，犹大，以萨迦，西布伦，迦得，亚设，约瑟，便雅悯，但，拿弗他利。（创世记46:8-24）
在照着他们的父亲以色列祝福他们的次序中，他们又有一层含义，祝福的次序如下：
流便，西缅，利未，犹大，西布伦，以萨迦，但，迦得，亚设，拿弗他利，约瑟，便雅悯。（创世记49章）
在照着摩西祝福他们的次序中，同样又有一层含义，摩西祝福的次序如下：
流便，犹大，利未，便雅悯，约瑟，以法莲，玛拿西，西布伦，迦得，但，拿弗他利，亚设。（申命记33）
此处提到了以法莲和玛拿西，没有提到西缅和以萨迦。
在他们安营和起行的次序中，他们又有一层含义，这个次序是：
犹大、以萨迦和西布伦支派在东面；流便、西缅和迦得支派在南面；以法莲、玛拿西和便雅悯支派在西面；但、亚设和拿弗他利支派在北面；利未支派在中间。（民数记2:1至末尾）
在其它地方提及他们的次序中，他们仍有另外的含义，如：创世记（35:23-26），民数记（1:5-16；7:1至末尾；13:4-15；26:5-57；34:17-28），申命记（27:2，13），约书亚书（15-19章），以西结书（48:1至末尾）。所以，当“巴兰看见以色列照其支派居住”时，就说：
雅各啊，你的帐棚何等华美，以色列啊，你的帐幕何其华丽。（民数记24:1-4等）
在决断的胸牌，也就是在乌陵和土明中，十二块宝石照着以色列十二个儿子的名字排列在里面（出埃及记28:15-21），依次排列的各支派的含义取决于求问，他们会得到求问的答复。至于在启示录中此处提及他们的次序中，他们的含义也是不同的，对此，稍后予以解释。“支派”表示宗教信仰，“十二支派”表示在涉及教会的一切事物方面的教会，这是因为在希伯来语，“支派”和“权杖”是同一个词，并且“权杖”是指国，主的国是天堂和教会。
349. Sealed out of every tribe of Israel. This symbolizes the heaven and Lord's church formed from those people.
A tribe symbolizes religion as regards goodness of life, and every tribe symbolizes the church in respect to every good of love and every truth springing from that good, which produces goodness of life. For there are two elements which form the church: the goodness of love and doctrinal truth. The marriage of these two constitutes the church. The twelve tribes of Israel represented and so symbolized the church with respect to that marriage, and each tribe represented and so symbolized some universal truth accompanying goodness or some goodness accompanying truth present in that marriage.
But what each tribe symbolized has not been revealed previously to anyone, nor could it have been revealed, lest an ill-connected exposition profane the holiness that lies within these things when joined together, since their symbolism depends on their conjunction.
[2] They have one symbolism in the order in which they are listed according to their births (Genesis 29, 30, 35:18). The order there is: Reuben, Simeon, Levi, Judah, Dan, Naphtali, Gad, Asher, Issachar, Zebulun, Joseph, Benjamin.
They have another symbolism in the order in which they are listed when they went into Egypt, namely, Reuben, Simeon, Levi, Judah, Issachar, Zebulun, Gad, Asher, Joseph, Benjamin, Dan, Naphtali (Genesis 46:8-25).
Still another symbolism in the order in which they were blessed by their father Israel, namely, Reuben, Simeon, Levi, Judah, Zebulun, Issachar, Dan, Gad, Asher, Naphtali, Joseph, Benjamin (Genesis 49).
Still another symbolism in the order in which they were blessed by Moses, namely, Reuben, Judah, Levi, Benjamin, Joseph, Ephraim, Manasseh, Zebulun, Gad, Dan, Naphtali, Asher (Deuteronomy 33) - Ephraim and Manasseh being listed there, and not Simeon or Issachar.
[3] Still another symbolism in the order in which they encamped and set out, namely, the tribes of Judah, Issachar and Zebulun on the east side, the tribes of Reuben, Simeon and Gad on the south side, the tribes of Ephraim, Manasseh and Benjamin on the west side, and the tribes of Dan, Asher and Naphtali on the north side, with the tribe of Levi in the middle (Numbers 2:1-34).
And still another symbolism in the order in which they are listed elsewhere, as in Genesis 35:23-26, Numbers 1:5-16; 7:1-89; 13:4-15; 26:5-57; 34:17-28, Deuteronomy 27:12-13, Joshua 15; 16; 17; 18; 19, Ezekiel 48:1-35.
Consequently, when Balaam saw Israel dwelling according to their tribes, he said, "How good are your tents, O Jacob, and your tabernacles, O Israel" (Numbers 24:1-4ff.).
[4] On the breastpiece of judgment, namely, the Urim and Thummim, containing twelve precious stones according to the names of the children of Israel (Exodus 28:15-21), the symbolism of the tribes in their arrangement depended on the inquiry to which they provided a response.
But what they symbolized in the order in which they are mentioned here in the book of Revelation, which is still another order, will be told in what follows.
Tribes symbolize religion, and the twelve tribes the church and everything pertaining to it, because "tribe" and "scepter" are, in Hebrew, the same word, 1and a scepter means a kingdom, and the Lord's kingdom is heaven and the church.
Footnotes:
1. Hebrew מַטֶּה or שֵׁבֶט, and also מַשְׁעֵנָה.
349. 'Sealed out of every tribe of Israel' signifies the Lord's heaven and Church from those. By 'tribe' is signified religion as to good of life, and by 'every tribe' is signified the Church as to every good of love and as to every truth derived from that good, from which the good of life is derived; for there are two things that make the Church, good of love and truth of doctrine. The marriage of these is the Church. The twelve tribes of Israel used to represent, and consequently signify, the Church as to that marriage, and each individual tribe some universal truth of good or good of truth therein. But what each individual tribe used to signify has not hitherto been revealed to anyone; nor could it be revealed, lest by an ill-connected exposition, the 'holy' that lies hidden in their being conjoined into a one should be profaned; for they have significance in accordance with the conjunction.
[2] They have one signification in the series in which they are named following their births, (Genesis 29; 30; 35:18), the series of them there being:
Reuben, Simeon, Levi, Judah, Dan, Naphtali, Gad, Asher, Issachar, Zebulon, Joseph, Benjamin.
They have another signification in the series in which they are named when they came to Egypt, which is:
Reuben, Simeon, Levi, Judah, Issachar, Zebulon, Gad, Asher, Joseph, Benjamin, Dan, Naphtali. Genesis 46:9-24.
Another in the series when they are blessed by their father Israel, which is this:
Reuben, Simeon, Levi, Judah, Zebulon, Issachar, Dan, Gad, Asher, Naphtali, Joseph, Benjamin. Genesis 49.
Another in the series when they are blessed by Moses, which is this:
Reuben, Judah, Levi, Benjamin, Joseph, Ephraim, Manasseh, Zebulon, Gad, Dan, Naphtali, Asher. Deuteronomy 33.
There Ephraim and Manasseh [are mentioned], and not Simeon and Issachar.
[3] Another in the series when they were encamped and when they marched forth, which is this:
The tribes of Judah, Issachar and Zebulon, to the east; the tribes of Reuben, Simeon and Gad to the south; the tribes of Ephraim, Manasseh and Benjamin to the west; the tribes of Dan, Asher and Naphtali to the north; and the tribe of Levi in the midst. Numbers 2:1 to the end.
Another in the series in which they are named elsewhere, as Genesis 35:23-26; Numbers 1:5-16; 7; 13:4-15; 26:5-56; 34:17-28; Deuteronomy 27:12-13; Joshua 15-Joshua 19; Ezekiel 48. So, therefore, when 'Balaam saw Israel dwelling according to their tribes,' he said:
How good are thy tabernacles, O Jacob, and thy dwellings, O Israel. Numbers 24:1-4 seq.
[4] In the breastplate of judgment, which was the Urim and Thummim, in which there were 12 precious stones according to the names of the sons of Israel (Exodus 28:15-29), the tribes were significant in a series in accordance with an interrogation, to which they supplied an answer. But what they signify in the series in which they are named here in the Apocalypse, which is yet another, will be stated in the things following. 'Tribes' signify religion, and 'the twelve tribes' the Church as to all things thereof, because 'tribe' and 'sceptre' in the Hebrew tongue are one word, and the sceptre is the kingdom, and the Lord's kingdom is heaven and the Church.
349. Sealed out of every tribe 1of Israel signifies the Lord's heaven and church from them. By a "tribe" is signified religion as to the good of life, and by "every tribe" is signified the church as to every good of love and as to every truth from that good, from which is the good of life; for there are two things which make the church, the good of love and the truth of doctrine; the marriage of these is the church. The twelve tribes of Israel represented, and thence signified the church as to that marriage, and each tribe some universal truth of good or good of truth therein. But what each tribe signifies has not hitherto been revealed to anyone, nor could it be revealed, lest, by an ill-connected explanation, the sanctity which lies concealed in their several conjunctions into one, should be profaned, for their signification is determined by their conjunction.
[2] They have one signification in the series in which they are named according to their nativities, (Genesis 29:31-35; 30:1-24; 35:18); where the series of them is as follows:
Reuben, Simeon, Levi, Judah, Dan, Naphtali, Gad, Asher, Issachar, Zebulon, Joseph, Benjamin, (Genesis 35:23-26).
They have another signification in the series in which they are mentioned when they came to Egypt, which is as follows:
Reuben, Simeon, Levi, Judah, Issachar, Zebulon, Gad, Asher, Joseph, Benjamin, Dan, Naphtali, (Gen 46:8-24).
Another, in the series in which they are blessed by their father Israel, which is this:
Reuben, Simeon, Levi, Judah, Zebulon Issachar, Dan, Gad, Asher, Naphtali, Joseph, Benjamin, (Genesis 49:1-28).
Another, in the series in which they are blessed by Moses, which is:
Reuben, Judah, Levi, Benjamin, Joseph, Ephraim, Manasseh, Zebulon, Gad, Dan, Naphtali, Asher, (Deuteronomy 33:6-29).
Here Ephraim and Manasseh are mentioned, and not Simeon and Issachar.
[3] Another, in the series in which they encamped and journeyed, which was this:
The tribe of Judah, Issachar, and Zebulon to the east; the tribe of Reuben, Simeon, and Gad to the south; the tribe of Ephraim, Manasseh, and Benjamin to the west; the tribe of Dan, Asher, and Naphtali to the north; and the tribe of Levi in the middle, (Numbers 2).
Another, in the series in which they are mentioned in other places; as Genesis 35:23-26; Numbers 1:5-16; 7; 13:4-15; 26:5-57; 34:17-28; Deuteronomy 27:2, 13; (Ezekiel 48:1-35;) Joshua 15-Joshua 16; 17; 18; 19; Ezekiel 48. So, therefore, when "Balaam saw Israel dwelling according to their tribes," he said:
How good are thy tabernacles, O Jacob, and thy habitations, O Israel, (Numbers 24:1-4).
[4] In the breastplate of judgment, which was the Urim and Thummim, wherein were twelve precious stones, according to the names of the sons of Israel, (Exodus 28:15-21), the signification of the tribes in their series was determined by the interrogation, to which they returned an answer. But what they signify in the series in which they are here mentioned in Revelation, this being different also, shall be explained presently. That "tribes" signify religion, and "the twelve tribes" the church as to all things relating to it, is, because "tribe" and "scepter," in the Hebrew language, are one word, and "the scepter" is the kingdom, and the Lord's kingdom is heaven and the church.
Footnotes:
1. The original Latin omits "of the sons."
349. "Signati et omni Tribu (filiorum) Israelis," significat Caelum et Ecclesiam Domini ab illis. - Per "Tribum" significatur Religio quoad bonum vitae, et per "omnem Tribum" significatur Ecclesia quoad omne bonum amoris et quoad omne verum ex illo bono, ex quibus bonum vitae; sunt enim duo quae faciunt Ecclesiam, bonum amoris et verum doctrinae; conjugium illorum est Ecclesia. Duodecim Tribus Israelis repraesentabant et inde significabant Ecclesiam quoad conjugium illud, ac unaquaevis Tribus aliquod universale verum boni aut bonum veri in illo: sed quid unaquaevis Tribus significabat, hactenus non alicui revelatum est, nec revelari potuit, ne per explicationem male consartam prophanaretur sanctum quod in illis in unum conjunctis latet, nam secundum conjunctionem significant. Aliter in serie in qua nominantur secundum Nativitates, Genesis 29; 30; 35:18; series illarum ibi haec est,
Ruben, Simeon, Levi, Jehudah, Dan, Naphtali, Gad, Ascher, Isaschar, Sebulon, Joseph, Benjamin.
Aliter in serie in qua nominantur cum venerunt (in) Aegyptum, quae est,
Ruben, Simeon, Levi, Jehudah, Isaschar, Sebulon, Gad, Ascher, Joseph, Benjamin, Dan, Naphtali, (Genesis 46:8-24). 1
Aliter in serie cum benedicuntur a Patre Israele, quae haec est;
Ruben, Simeon, Levi, Jehudah, Sebulon, Isaschar, Dan, Gad, Ascher, Naphtali, Joseph, Benjamin, (Genesis 49).
Aliter in serie cum benedicuntur a Mose, quae haec est,
Ruben, Jehudah, Levi, Benjamin, Joseph, Ephraim, Menasse, Sebulon, Gad, Dan, Naphtali, Ascher, (Deuteronomius 33);
ibi Ephraim et Menasse, et non Simeon et Isaschar. Aliter in serie cum castrametati et profecti sunt, quae haec est, Tribus Jehudae, Isascharis, et Sebulonis ad ortum; Tribus Rubenis, Simeonis, Gadis ad meridiem; Tribus Ephraimi, Menassis, et Benjaminis ad occidentem; Tribus Danis, Ascheris, et Naphtali ad septentrionem; et Tribus Levi in medio, (Numeri 2:1, ad fin.).
Aliter in serie, in qua nominantur alibi, ut Genesis 35:23-26; 2Numeri 1:5-16; 7; 13:4-15; 26:5-57; 334:17-28; Deuteronomius 27:12-13; Josua 15-19; Ezechiel 48). 4
Quare cum Bileamus "vidit Israelem habitantem secundum Tribus suas" dixit,
"Quam bona sunt Tabernacula tua Jacob et Habitacula tua Israel," (Numeri 24:1-4, seq.).
In Pectorali judicii, quod erat Urim et Thummim, in quo duodecim lapides pretiosi juxta nomina filiorum Israelis erant, (Exodus 28:15-21) 5, Tribus significabant in serie secundum interrogationem ad quam tulerunt responsum. Quid autem significant in serie in qua hic in Apocalypsi nominantur, quae adhuc alia est, in sequentibus dicetur. Quod "Tribus" significent Religionem, et "duodecim Tribus" Ecclesiam quoad omnia ejus, est quia "Tribus" et "Sceptrum" in Lingua Hebraea una vox sunt, ac "Sceptrum" est Regnum, ac Regnum Domini est Caelum et Ecclesia.
Footnotes:
1. 8-24 pro "9-21"
2. xxxv. pro "xxv."
3. 5-57 pro "5-56"
4. xlviii. pro "xlvii."
5. 15-21 pro "15-24"