Doctrine of Holy Scripture - Swedenborg Foundation

DOCTRINE OF HOLY SCRIPTURE 20979. In many places in the prophets where the church is treated of,the understanding of the Word is treated of, and it is taught thatthere is no church except where the Word is rightly understood,and that such as is the understanding of the Word with those in thechurch, such is the church. In many places also in the prophets thechurch with the Israelitish and Jewish nation is described as beingtotally destroyed and annihilated through their falsification of themeaning or understanding of the Word, for naught but thisdestroys the church.[2] The understanding of the Word, both true and false, isdescribed in the prophets by “Ephraim,” especially in Hosea, for inthe Word “Ephraim” signifies the understanding of the Word inthe church. And as the understanding of the Word makes thechurch, Ephraim is called,A dear son, and a child of delights (Jer. 31:20);The firstborn (Jer. 31:9);The strength of Jehovah’s head (Ps. 60:7; 108:8);Mighty (Zech. 10:7)Filled with the bow (Zech. 9:13);and the sons of Ephraim are called,Armed, and shooters with the bow (Ps. 78:9).The “bow” signifies doctrine from the Word fighting againstfalsities. Therefore also,Ephraim was passed over to Israel’s right hand, and was blessed; and wasalso accepted instead of Reuben (Gen. 48:5, 11–15).And therefore,