Words in Swedenborg
and Their Meanings in Modern English

by Rev. Frank Rose

CORRESPOND, REPRESENT, SIGNIFY

These three words are used frequently in Swedenborg, especially in explanations of the Scriptures. The different use of the words can be illustrated with a human smile.
CORRESPOND: If the smile is genuine, and originates in a happy feeling inside the person, the smile CORRESPONDS to the happiness. REPRESENT: If the smile is fake, or is on a photograph or drawing, the smile REPRESENTS happiness.
SIGNIFY: The word "smile" SIGNIFIES or MEANS "smile".

In general, living things CORRESPOND, people and things REPRESENT, and words and phrases SIGNIFY.

LEVELS WITHIN THE WORD

INMOST (OR SUPREME) SENSE

SPIRITUAL (OR INTERNAL) SENSE

INTERNAL HISTORICAL SENSE

LITERAL SENSE

These different levels are called "discrete degrees." Going from top to bottom is called "descending order" or "successive order."

If we imagine a slice-through view of the bottom layer, we see different areas on the same plane. These differences are called "continuous degrees" and the relationship is called "simultaneous order."

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