SS 40, 42 - The Literal Sense of the Word

SS 40

The truths in the Word’s literal sense
are in part not naked truths,
but appearances of truth,
and are seemingly images and metaphors
taken from the kinds of things found in nature . . ..
However, because they are correspondent terms,
they are the receptacles and homes of genuine truth.
They are like vessels enclosing such truths
and containing them,
like a crystal goblet filled with vintage wine,
or like a silver dish containing tasty foodstuffs.
Or they are like garments clothing them,
as swaddling cloths clothe a baby,
or a pretty dress a maiden.
They are also like the facts known by the natural self,
which embrace within them
the perceptions of and affections for truth
belonging to the spiritual self.

The naked truths themselves
which are enclosed, contained, clothed and embraced
are those found in the Word’s spiritual sense,
and the naked goods are those
found in its celestial sense.

SS 42

Since our Word in its inmost embrace is,
owing to its celestial sense,
like a flame that kindles,
and since in its intermediate embrace it is,
owing to its spiritual sense,
like a light that enlightens,
therefore the Word in its outmost embrace is,
owing to its natural sense
and the two inner senses it contains,
like a ruby and a diamond —
like a ruby because of the celestial flame,
and like a diamond because of the spiritual light.

Because that is the nature of the Word
in its literal sense as regards its transparence,
therefore the Word in that sense is meant by
-- the foundations of the wall of Jerusalem,
-- by the Urim and Thummim in the ephod of Aaron,
-- by the Garden of Eden
in which the King of Tyre had been;
-- and also by the curtains and veils of the Tabernacle,
-- and by the outer arrangements
of the Temple in Jerusalem.
However, it is meant in its real glory
by the Lord when He was transfigured.