SS79.在先知书的许多地方，凡论述教会的地方，论述的都是对圣言的理解；这些地方教导，教会只存在于正确理解圣言的地方，并且教会成员对圣言的理解如何，这个教会就如何，或也可说，一个教会的品质取决于教会成员对圣言的理解的品质。先知书中还有许多地方描述了以色列和犹太民族当中的教会，这个教会因对圣言的意义或理解的扭曲而被彻底摧毁和消灭，因为摧毁教会的，不是别的。
在先知书，尤其何西阿书，“以法莲”这个名字就象征对圣言的理解，无论对错，因为在圣言中，“以法莲”表示在教会中，对圣言的理解。正因对圣言的理解构成教会，所以以法莲被称为：
爱子，可喜悦的孩子。（耶利米书31:20）
长子。（耶利米书31:9）
耶和华头的力量。（诗篇60:7；108:8）
勇士。（撒迦利亚书10:7）
张弓的箭。（撒迦利亚书9:13）
以法莲的子孙被称为带着兵器，弓箭手。（诗篇78:9）
“弓”表示与虚假争战的取自圣言的教义。也正因如此，以法莲转到以色列的右手，受到祝福；取代流便而被接受（创世记48:5，11-15）。因此，在摩西祝福以色列人时，以法莲与他兄弟玛拿西一起，以他们的父亲约瑟之名，被摩西高举于众人之上（申命记33:13-17）。
当对圣言的理解被毁时，先知书，尤其何西阿书，也以“以法莲”来描述教会的品质，这从下列经文明显看出来：
以色列和以法莲必跌倒；以法莲必变为荒场。以法莲就受欺压，在审判中被压碎。我必向以法莲如狮子；我必撕裂而去，无人搭救。（何西阿书5:5，9，11-14）
以法莲哪，我可向你怎样行呢？你的圣洁如同黎明的云雾，又如速散的朝露。（何西阿书6:4）
他们必不得住耶和华的地；以法莲却要回到埃及，必在亚述吃不洁之物。（何西阿书9:3）
“耶和华的地”是指教会；“埃及”是指属世人的记忆知识；“亚述”是指基于这些记忆知识的推理；就对圣言的理解而言，圣言通过这两者被歪曲；这就是为何经上说：“以法莲要回到埃及，必在亚述吃不洁之物”。
又：
以法莲以风为食，且追赶东风。他终日增添虚谎和荒凉，与亚述立约，油被带下埃及。（何西阿书12:1）
“以风为食”、“追赶东风”、“增添虚谎和荒凉”是指歪曲真理，并以这种方式摧毁教会。
“以法莲的淫行”所表相同，因为“淫行”表示歪曲对圣言的理解，也就是歪曲圣言的纯正真理。可参看下列经文：
我知道以法莲，他竟然行淫，以色列被玷污了。（何西阿书5:3）
在以色列家，我见了肮脏的事；在那里以法莲行淫，以色列被玷污。（何西阿书6:10）
“以色列”是指教会本身，“以法莲”是对圣言的理解，这种理解是教会的源头，并决定了教会的品质，故经上说：“以法莲行淫，以色列被玷污”。
由于犹太人当中的教会因对圣言的歪曲已经被彻底摧毁，故经上论到以法莲说：
以法莲哪，我怎能舍弃你？以色列啊，我怎能把你交出？我怎能使你如押玛？怎能使你如洗扁？（何西阿书11:8）
由于何西阿书从第一章到最后一章都是论述对圣言的歪曲和由此对教会的摧毁，还由于“行淫”表示对教会中的真理的歪曲，所以为叫该先知可以代表教会的这种状态，他被吩咐娶妓女为妻，和她生孩子（何西阿书第1章）；并且再次被吩咐与一个作奸妇的妇人建立关系（何西阿书第3章）。
引用上述经文是为了叫读者知道，并从圣言证实：教会中对圣言的理解如何，该教会就如何，或说，一个教会的品质取决于教会中对圣言的理解的品质：如果这种理解来自圣言的纯正真理，那么教会就是杰出的，极为珍贵；如果这种理解来自被歪曲的真理，那么教会就会沦为废墟，甚至是污秽的。为进一步确认“以法莲”表示对圣言的理解，在反面意义上表示导致教会毁灭的一种歪曲理解，你可以查考一些论述以法莲的其它经文（如何西阿书4:17-18；7:1，11；8:9，11；9:11-13，16；10:11；11:3；12:1，8，14；13:1，12；以赛亚书17:3；28:1；耶利米书4:15；31:6，18；50:19；以西结书37:16；48:5；俄巴底亚书1:19；撒迦利亚书9:10）。
79. There are many passages in the prophets about our understanding of the Word, passages about the church, where it tells us that the church exists only where the Word is properly understood, and that the quality of a church depends on the quality of the understanding of the Word among its members. There are also many passages in the prophets that describe the church among the Israelite and Jewish people, a church that was utterly destroyed and annihilated by the distortion of the Word’s meaning or message, for this is exactly what destroys a church.
[2] The name Ephraim in the prophets, especially in Hosea, symbolizes both true and false understandings of the Word, because Ephraim in the Word means the understanding of the Word in the church. It is because the understanding of the Word makes a church that Ephraim is called “a precious child, and one born of delights” (Jeremiah 31:20), “the firstborn” (Jeremiah 31:9), “the strength of Jehovah’s head” (Psalms 60:7; 108:8), “powerful” (Zechariah 10:7), and “filled with a bow” (Zechariah 9:13); and the children of Ephraim are called “armed” and “bow-shooters” (Psalms 78:9). The bow means a body of teaching from the Word fighting against what is false.
So too, Ephraim was transferred to the right of Israel and blessed, and accepted in place of Reuben (Genesis 48:5, 11, and following; [1 Chronicles 5:1]). And therefore Ephraim, together with his brother Manasseh, was exalted over all by Moses in his blessing of the children of Israel in the name of their father Joseph (Deuteronomy 33:13-17).
[3] The prophets, especially Hosea, also use “Ephraim” to describe what the church is like when its understanding of the Word has been lost, as we can see from the following:
Israel and Ephraim will stumble. Ephraim will be desolate. Ephraim is oppressed and broken in judgment. I will be like a lion to Ephraim: I will tear them and leave; I will carry them off and no one will rescue them. (Hosea 5:5, 9, 11, 14)
What shall I do to you, Ephraim? Your holiness goes away like a cloud at dawn and like the morning dew that falls. (Hosea 6:4)
[4] They will not dwell in the land of Jehovah: Ephraim will go back to Egypt and will eat what is unclean in Assyria. (Hosea 9:3)
The land of Jehovah is the church, Egypt is the preoccupation of the earthly self with mere facts, and Assyria is rationalizing based on those facts; all of which lead to distortion of the Word in regard to the way it is understood. That is why it says that Ephraim will go back to Egypt and will eat what is unclean in Assyria.
[5] Ephraim feeds on the wind and chases the east wind. Every day he increases lies and devastation. He makes a covenant with Assyria, and oil is carried down into Egypt. (Hosea 12:1)
To feed on the wind, chase the east wind, and increase lies and devastation is to distort what is true and in this way destroy the church.
[6] Much the same is also meant by Ephraim’s whoredom, since whoredom means distortion of the way the Word is understood - that is, distortion of its genuine truth. See the following passages:
I know Ephraim; he has committed whoredom in every way and Israel has been defiled. (Hosea 5:3)
I have seen something foul in the house of Israel: Ephraim has committed whoredom there, and Israel has been defiled. (Hosea 6:10)
Israel is the church itself and Ephraim is the understanding of the Word that is the source of the church and that determines its quality, so it says that Ephraim has committed whoredom and Israel has been defiled.
[7] Since the church among Jews had been completely destroyed because of its distortions, it says of Ephraim,
Am I to give you up, Ephraim? Am I to hand you over, Israel? Like Admah? Shall I make you like Zeboiim? (Hosea 11:8)
Since the book of the prophet Hosea, from the first chapter to the last, is about the distortion of the Word and the consequent destruction of the church, and since whoredom means the distortion of truth in the church, the prophet was commanded to represent that state of the church by taking a whore as his wife and fathering children by her (chapter 1); and also by forming a relationship with a woman who was committing adultery (chapter 3).
[8] These instances have been presented so that readers may know and be assured from the Word that the quality of a church depends on the quality of the understanding of the Word in it - outstanding and priceless if its understanding comes from genuine truths from the Word, but in ruins, actually filthy, if it comes from distortions.
For further evidence that Ephraim means the understanding of the Word, and in its opposite sense a distorted understanding leading to the destruction of the church, you may check some other passages that deal with Ephraim: Hosea 4:17-18; 7:1, 11; 8:9, 11; 9:11-13, 16; 10:11; 11:3; 12:1, 8, 14; 13:1, 8, 14; Isaiah 17:3; 28:1; Jeremiah 4:15; 31:6, 18; 50:19; Ezekiel 37:16; 48:5; Obadiah verse 19; Zechariah 9:10.
79. In many places in the Prophets the subject is an understanding of the Word when referring to the church, and the teaching is that the church exists only where the Word is rightly understood, and that the character of the church is such as the understanding of the Word among the people in the church.
Many places in the Prophets also describe the church that existed in the Israelite and Jewish nation, saying that it was entirely destroyed and ended by the people’s falsifying the sense and meaning of the Word. For nothing else destroys the church.
[2] Ephraim in the Prophets describes both a true understanding of the Word and a false one, especially in Hosea, for Ephraim in the Word symbolizes the understanding of the Word in the church. And because an understanding of the Word is what forms the church, therefore Ephraim is called a “dear son” and “a pleasant child” (Jeremiah 31:20); the “firstborn” (Jeremiah 31:9); “the helmet” of Jehovah’s head (Psalms 60:7, 108:8); “a mighty man” (Zechariah 10:7); “fitted with the bow” (Zechariah 9:13). And the children of Ephraim are called “armed” and “shooters of the bow” (Psalms 78:9). A bow symbolizes doctrine from the Word battling against falsities.
Ephraim was also therefore shifted to Israel’s right hand and blessed, and taken in place of Reuben (Genesis 48:5, 11ff.).
And Ephraim, with his brother Manasseh, under the name of their father Joseph, was therefore praised above all the others by Moses in his blessing the children of Israel (Deuteronomy 33:13-17).
[3] At the same time, the character of the church when any understanding of the Word has been lost is also described by Ephraim in the Prophets, especially in Hosea, as is apparent from the following:
...Israel and Ephraim shall stumble.... Ephraim shall be desolate.... Ephraim is oppressed and shaken in judgment.... ...I will be like a lion to Ephraim.... I...will seize them and go away; I will take them away and not rescue them. (Hosea 5:5, 9, 11-14)
O Ephraim, what shall I do to you? ...For your holiness is like a morning cloud, and like the falling morning dew it goes away. (Hosea 6:4)
[4] They shall not dwell in Jehovah’s land, but Ephraim shall return to Egypt, and shall eat unclean food in Assyria. (Hosea 9:3)
Jehovah’s land is the church. Egypt is the factual knowledge of the natural man. Assyria is his resulting reasoning, by which the Word is falsified as regards any understanding of it. That is why we are told that Ephraim shall return to Egypt and eat unclean food in Assyria.
[5] Ephraim feeds on the wind, and pursues the east wind; he daily increases lies and desolation. He makes a covenant with the Assyrians, and oil is carried down into Egypt. (Hosea 12:1)
To feed on the wind, to pursue the east wind, and to increase lies and desolation is to falsify truths and so destroy the church.
[6] The harlotry of Ephraim, too, has the same symbolic meaning. For harlotry symbolizes the falsifying of an understanding of the Word, that is, of its genuine truth. As in the following:
I know Ephraim..., (that he surely) has committed harlotry, (and) Israel is defiled. (Hosea 5:3)
I have seen a foul thing in the house of Israel: there Ephraim committed harlotry, (and) Israel is defiled. (Hosea 6:10)
Israel is the church, and Ephraim is its understanding of the Word, which forms the church and its character. That is why Ephraim is said to have committed harlotry and Israel to be defiled.
[7] Since the church with the Jews was utterly destroyed by its falsifications of the Word, therefore regarding Ephraim we read the following:
...will I give you up, Ephraim? ...will I hand you over, Israel? ...like Admah? (Or) will I set you like Zeboiim? (Hosea 11:8)
Now because the prophet Hosea, from the first chapter to the last, has as his subject the falsification of the Word and its destruction of the church, and because harlotry symbolizes a falsification of the truth in it, therefore the prophet was commanded to represent the state of the church by taking himself a harlot as his woman and producing children by her (chapter 1), and a second time by taking an adulteress as his woman (chapter 3).
[8] We have cited these passages to make it known from the Word and confirmed by it that the character of the church is such as the understanding of the Word in it: an excellent and precious church if its understanding is formed by genuine truths drawn from the Word, but a destroyed church, indeed a foul one, if its understanding is formed by truths falsified.
As confirmation that Ephraim symbolizes an understanding of the Word, and in an opposite sense that understanding falsified, and that the result is the destruction of the church, all the other passages dealing with Ephraim could be presented, such as Hosea 4:17-18, 7:1, 11, 8:9, 11, 9:11-13, 16, 10:11, 11:3, 12:1, 8, 14, 13:1, 12; Isaiah 17:3, 28:1; Jeremiah 4:15, 31:6, 18, 50:19; Ezekiel 37:16, 48:5; Obadiah 1:19; Zechariah 9:10.
79. The Prophets in many passages treat of the understanding of the Word where the subject is the Church; and they teach that the Church exists only where the Word is rightly understood; and that the nature of the Church is according to the understanding of the Word with those who are in the Church. The Prophets also in many passages describe the Church among the Israelitish and Jewish nation as totally destroyed and brought to nought because they falsified the meaning or understanding of the Word; for nothing else destroys the Church.
[2] The understanding of the Word, both true and false, is described in the Prophets, particularly in Hosea, by Ephraim; for the understanding of the Word is signified in the Word by Ephraim. Since the understanding of the Word constitutes the Church, therefore Ephraim is called:
A dear son, and a pleasant child. Jeremiah 31:20;
The first born. Jeremiah 31:9;
The strength of the head of Jehovah. Psalms 60:7; 108:8;
A mighty man. Zechariah 10:7
Filled with the bow. Zechariah 9:13
And the sons of Ephraim are called "armed, and shooters with the bow", in Psalms 78:9; for a bow signifies doctrine from the Word fighting against falsities.
For the same reason also Ephraim was transferred to Israel's right hand and blessed; and accepted in place of Reuben. Genesis 48:5, 11-15.
For the same reason also Ephraim with his brother Manasseh, under the name of their father Joseph, was exalted above all the rest by Moses in his blessing of the sons of Israel. Deuteronomy 33:13-17.
[3] The nature of the Church when the understanding of the Word is destroyed is also described in the Prophets by Ephraim, particularly in Hosea; as is clear from the following passages:
Israel and Ephraim shall fall together... Ephraim shall be desolate... Ephraim is oppressed and broken in judgment. I will be unto Ephraim as a lion... I will tear and go away; I will take away, and none shall rescue him. Hosea 5:5, 9, 11-14.
O Ephraim, what shall I do unto thee? for your holiness (A.V. goodness) is as a morning cloud, and as the early dew it goeth away. Hosea 6:4.
They shall not dwell in the land of Jehovah; but Ephraim shall return to Egypt, and shall eat an unclean thing in Assyria. Hosea 9:3.
[4] The land of Jehovah is the Church; Egypt is the scientific principle of the natural man, and Assyria is reasoning therefrom; by these two the Word as to the understanding of it is falsified; and therefore it is said that Ephraim shall return to Egypt, and shall eat an unclean thing in Assyria.
[5] Ephraim feedeth on wind, and followeth after the east wind: he daily increaseth lies and desolation; and he maketh (A.V. they do make) a covenant with the Assyrians, and oil is carried into Egypt. Hosea 12:1.
To feed on wind, to follow after the east wind and to increase lies and desolation, is to falsify truths and so destroy the Church.
[6] The same is also signified by the whoredom. of Ephraim; for whoredom. signifies the falsification of the understanding of the Word, that is, of its genuine truth, as in these passages:
I know Ephraim ... he has altogether committed whoredom, and Israel is defiled. Hosea 5:3.
I have seen an horrible thing in the house of Israel: there is the whoredom of Ephraim, and Israel is defiled. Hosea 6:10.
Israel is the Church itself, and Ephraim, the understanding of the Word from which and according to which the Church exists; therefore it is said that Ephraim commits whoredom and Israel is defiled.
[7] As the Church among the Jews was totally destroyed by falsifications of the Word, therefore it is thus said of Ephraim:
I will give thee up, Ephraim, I will deliver thee up, Israel, I will make thee as Admah, I will set thee as Zeboim. Hosea 11:8.
Now since the Prophet Hosea, from the first chapter to the last, treats of the falsification of the Word and the consequent destruction of the Church, and since by whoredom is signified the falsification of truth in the Word, therefore he was commanded to represent this state of the Church, by taking a harlot for his wife, and begetting children by her. Hosea 1; and again, by taking a woman who was an adulteress. Hosea 3.
[8] These passages are quoted that it may be known and proved from the Word that the nature of the Church is according to its understanding of the Word-excellent and precious if its understanding is founded on genuine truths from the Word, but ruined and indeed defiled if founded on truths falsified. In confirmation that by Ephraim is signified the understanding of the Word, and in the opposite sense that understanding falsified from which results the destruction of the Church, the other passages where Ephraim is treated of may be consulted:
As Hosea 4:17-18; 7:1, 11; 8:9, 11; 9:11-13, 16; 10:11; 11:3; 12:1, 8, 14; 13:1, 12; Isaiah 17:3; 28:1; Jeremiah 4:15; 31:6, 18; Ezekiel 37:16; 48:5; Obadiah 19; Zechariah 9:10.
79. In many places in the Prophets where the church is treated of, the understanding of the Word is treated of, and it is taught that there is no church except where the Word is rightly understood, and that such as is the understanding of the Word with those in the church, such is the church. In many places also in the Prophets the church with the Israelitish and Jewish nation is described as being totally destroyed and annihilated through their falsification of the meaning or understanding of the Word, for naught but this destroys the church.
[2] The understanding of the Word, both true and false, is described in the prophets by "Ephraim," especially in Hosea, for in the Word "Ephraim" signifies the understanding of the Word in the church. And as the understanding of the Word makes the church, Ephraim is called,
A dear son, and a child of delights (Jeremiah 31:20);
The firstborn (Jeremiah 31:9);
The strength of Jehovah's head (Psalms 60:7; 108:8);
Mighty (Zechariah 10:7)
Filled with the bow (Zechariah 9:13);
and the sons of Ephraim are called,
Armed, and shooters with the bow (Psalms 78:9).
The "bow" signifies doctrine from the Word fighting against falsities. Therefore also,
Ephraim was passed over to Israel's right hand, and was blessed; and was also accepted instead of Reuben (Genesis 48: 5, 11-15).
And therefore,
Ephraim, together with his brother Manasseh (under the name of Joseph their father), was exalted above all by Moses when he blessed the sons of Israel (Deuteronomy 33:13-17).
[3] The quality of the church when the understanding of the Word has been destroyed, is also described in the prophets by "Ephraim," especially in Hosea, as is evident from the following passages:
Israel and Ephraim shall stagger; Ephraim shall be in the solitude; Ephraim is oppressed and shattered in judgment. I will be unto Ephraim as a lion; I will tear and go away; I will carry off, and there shall be none to deliver (Hosea 5: 5, 9, 11-14).
O Ephraim, what shall I do unto thee? For thy holiness is as a cloud of the dawn, and like the dew that falleth in the morning, it goeth away (Hosea 6:4)
They shall not dwell in the land of Jehovah; but Ephraim shall return to Egypt, and shall eat in Assyria that which is unclean (Hosea 9:3).
[4] The "land of Jehovah" is the church; "Egypt" is the memory-knowledge [scientificum] of the natural man; "Assyria" is the derivative reasoning: by these two the Word is falsified in respect to the understanding of it, and therefore it is said that "Ephraim shall return to Egypt, and shall eat in Assyria that which is unclean."
[5] Again:
Ephraim feedeth on wind, and followeth after the east wind; every day he multiplieth lying and wasteness; he maketh a covenant with Assyria, and oil is carried down into Egypt (Hosea 12:1).
To "feed on wind," to "follow after the east wind," and to "multiply lying and wasteness" is to falsify truths, and thus destroy the church.
[6] The like is signified also by the "whoredom" of Ephraim (for "whoredom" signifies the falsification of the understanding of the Word, that is, of its genuine truth) in the following passages:
I know Ephraim, that he hath altogether committed whoredom, and Israel is defiled (Hosea 5:3).
In the house of Israel I have seen a foul thing; there Ephraim hath committed whoredom, and Israel hath been defiled (Hosea 6:10).
"Israel" is the church itself, and "Ephraim" is the understanding of the Word, from and according to which is the church, and therefore it is said "Ephraim hath committed whoredom, and Israel hath been defiled."
[7] As the church among the Jews had been utterly destroyed through falsifications of the Word, it is said of Ephraim,
I will give thee up, Ephraim, I will deliver thee over, Israel, as Admah, and I will set thee as Zeboim (Hosea 11:8).
Now as the prophet Hosea, from the first chapter to the last, treats of the falsification of the Word, and of the destruction of the church thereby; and as the falsification of truth is there signified by "whoredom," therefore in order that he might represent this state of the church, that prophet was commanded to take unto himself a harlot for a woman, and of her to beget sons (chapter 1); and, a second time, to take a woman who was an adulteress (chapter 3).
[8] These passages have been adduced in order that it may be known and confirmed from the Word that such as is the understanding of the Word in the church, such is the church: excellent and precious if this understanding is from genuine truths of the Word, but ruined and even foul if it is from truths falsified. In confirmation of the truth that Ephraim signifies the understanding of the Word, and in the opposite sense the same falsified, and that the destruction of the church comes from this, the other passages in which Ephraim is treated of may be consulted,
As Hosea 4:17-18; 7:1, 7:11; 8:9, 8:11; 9:11-13, 9:16; 10:11; 11:3; 12:1, (Hosea 12:8), 12:14; 13:1, 13:12; Isa. 17:3; 28:1; Jeremiah 4:15; 31:6, 31:18; 50:19; Ezekiel 37:16; 48:5; Obadiah 1:19; Zechariah 9:10.
79. In multis locis apud Prophetas agitur de intellectu Verbi ubi agitur de ecclesia, et docetur quod non alibi sit ecclesia quam ubi Verbum juste intelligitur, et quod talis sit ecclesia qualis est intellectus Verbi apud illos qui in illa sunt. Multis in locis apud Prophetas etiam describitur ecclesia apud gentem Israeliticam et Judaicam, quod prorsus destructa et nulla facta sit per id, quod sensum seu intellectum Verbi falsificaverint, nam aliud non destruit ecclesiam. Intellectus Verbi tam verus quam falsus describitur apud Prophetas per Ephraimum, imprimis apud Hoscheam; nam per "Ephraimum" in Verbo significatur intellectus Verbi in ecclesia: et quia intellectus Verbi facit ecclesiam, ideo Ephraim vocatur,
"Filius pretiosus," et "natus deliciarum" (Jeremias 31:20); 1
"Primogenitus" (Jeremias 31:9); 2
"Robur capitis Jehovae" (Psalm 60:9; 108:9) 3; 4
"Potens" (Sacharias 10:7);
"Impletus arcu" (Sacharias 9:13):
Et filii Ephraimi vocantur,
"Armati" et "jaculatores arcus" (Psalm 78:9);
Per "arcum" significatur doctrina ex Verbo pugnans contra falsa. Ideo etiam,
Ephraim ad dextram Israelis translatus est, et benedictus: tum loco Reubenis acceptatus (Genesis 48:5, 11, seq.).
Et ideo,
Ephraim una cum fratre suo Menasse, a Mose in benedictione filiorum Israelis sub nomine Josephi patris illorum supra omnes exaltatus est (Deuteronomius 33:13-17).
Qualis autem ecclesia est, quando intellectus Verbi est deperditus, per Ephraimum etiam apud Prophetas describitur, imprimis apud Hoscheam; ut patet ex his:-
"Israel et Ephraim corruent... Ephraim in solitudinem erit Ephraim oppressus et concussus judicii... Ego ero ut leo Ephraimo rapiam et ibo, auferam et non eripiens" (Hoscheam 5:5, 9, 11-14).
"Quid faciam tibi Ephraim?... quia sanctitas tua, sicut nubes aurorae, et sicut ros mane cadens, abit" (Hoscheam 6:4).
"Non habitabunt in terra Jehovae, ... revertetur Ephraim (in) Aegyptum, et in Assyria immundum comedet" (Hoscheam 9:3):
"terra Jehovae" est ecclesia Aegyptus" est scientificum naturalis hominis, "Assyria" est ratiocinatio inde, ex quibus Verbum quoad intellectum ejus falsificatur; ideo dicitur, quod "Ephraim in Aegyptum revertetur, et in Assyria immundum comedet."
"Ephraim pascens ventum, et pesequitur eurum; omni die mendacium et vastationem multiplicat; foedus cum Assyrio pangit, et oleum in Aegyptum defertur" (Hoscheam 12:2): 5
"pascere ventum," "persequi eurum," ac "multiplicare mendacium et vastationem," est falsificare vera, et sic destruere ecclesiam. Simile etiam significatur per "scortationem Ephraimi," (nam "scortatio" significat falsificationem intellectus Verbi, hoc est, genuini veri ejus,) in his:-
"Ego novi Ephraimum, ... quod omnino scortatus sit... et pollutus sit Israel" (Hoscheam 5:3).
"In domo Israelis vidi rem foedam; ibi scortatus est Ephraim, et pollutus est Israel" (Hoscheam 6:10):
"Israel" est ipsa ecclesia, et "Ephraim" est intellectus Verbi, ex quo et secundum quem est ecclesia; quare dicitur, "Scortatus est Ephraim, et pollutus est Israel." Quoniam ecclesia apud Judaeos per falsificationes Verbi plane destructa fuit, ideo de Ephraimo ita dicitur,
"Dabo te Ephraim, tradam te Israel, sicut Adamam, et ponam te sicut Zeboim" (Hoscheam 11:8).
Nunc quia apud Prophetam Hoscheam, a primo capite ad ultimum ibi, agitur de falsificatione Verbi, et de destructione ecclesiae per illam, et quia per "scortationem" significatur falsificatio veri ibi, ideo mandatum est illi prophetae, ut representaret illum statum ecclesiae per quod acciperet sibi scortum in mulierem, et ex illa gigneret filios (Hoschea 1); ac iterum, ut acciperet mulierem adulteram (Hoschea 3). Haec allata sunt, ut ex Verbo sciatur et confirmetur, quod ecclesia talis sit qualis est intellectus Verbi in illa; praestans et pretiosa, si intellectus ejus sit ex genuinis veris ex Verbo; at destructa, immo foeda, si ex falsificatis. Ad confirmationem quod per "Ephraimum" significetur intellectus Verbi, et in opposito sensu ille falsificatus, et quod inde sit destructio ecclesiae, conferri possunt reliqua loca, in quibus de Ephraimo agitur :-
Ut Hoscheam 4:17-18; 7:1, 11; 8:9, 11; 9:11-13, 16; 10:11; 11:3; 12:1, 8, 14; 13:1, 12: 6Esaias 17:3; 28:1: Jeremias 4:15; 31:6, 18; 50:19: Ezechiel 37:16; 48:5: Obadias 1:19: 7Sacharias 9:10.
Footnotes:
1. 20 pro "21"
2. 9 pro "20"
3. B. A. habet Psalm 60:7 pro "Psalm 60:9"
4. B. A. habet Psalm 108:8 pro "Psalm 108:9"
5. B. A. habet Hoscheam 12:1 pro "12:2"
6. B. A. habet Hoscheam 12:1, 8, 14 pro "Hoscheam 12:1, 9, 15"
7. 19 pro "9"