Doctrine of Holy Scripture - Swedenborg Foundation

DOCTRINE OF HOLY SCRIPTURE 175is also comprehended that every Divine work is complete andperfect in its ultimate; and likewise that the whole is in theultimate, which is a trine, because the prior things are together, orsimultaneously, in it. 2629. It is from this that by “three” in the Word in the spiritualsense is meant what is complete and perfect; and also the wholesimultaneously. And as this is the signification of the number three,it is employed in the Word whenever any such thing is marked outfor notice. As in the following passages:Isaiah went naked and barefoot three years (Isa. 20:3).Jehovah called Samuel three times, and Samuel ran three times to Eli, andEli understood him the third time (1 Sam. 3:1–8).David said to Jonathan that he would hide himself in the field three days;and Jonathan afterwards shot three arrows at the side of the stone; and afterthat David bowed himself down three times before Jonathan (1 Sam. 20:5,12–41).Elijah stretched himself three times over the widow’s son (1 Kings 17:21).Elijah commanded that they should pour water on the burnt-offering threetimes (1 Kings 18:34).Jesus said, The kingdom of the heavens is like unto leaven, which a womantook and hid in three measures of meal, till the whole was leavened (Matt.13:33).Jesus said unto Peter that he should deny him thrice (Matt. 26:34).The Lord said three times unto Peter, Lovest thou me? (John 21:15–17).Jonah was in the whale’s belly three days and three nights (Jonah 1:17).26. That is, the two prior degrees are in the ultimate degree in simultaneous order;for a full explanation of which see below at n. 38, and also Angelic Wisdomconcerning Divine Love and Wisdom (n. 205–207). [Translator]