Description In Secrets of Heaven Volume 10, Swedenborg reveals the inner meaning of biblical stories using what he calls “correspondences.” Below are three examples from this volume. Baby Moses Hidden in a Basket When Moses is placed in a basket and hidden among the reeds of the Nile (Exodus 2), Swedenborg unpacks this iconic moment as a metaphor for divine truth being born within us—but initially concealed. The river represents worldly falsities and confusion, while the basket covered in tar and pitch reflects how, early in our spiritual awakening, truth is wrapped in external, imperfect layers. Yet, like Moses, this truth is protected by divine care until it grows strong enough to emerge. For Swedenborg, this story becomes a tender image of how our spiritual understanding often begins quietly, even hidden, before it transforms us. The Midwives of Egypt: Protecting Innocence and Truth A second example is Swedenborg’s understanding of the story of Pharaoh commanding the Hebrew midwives to kill newborn boys (Exodus 1), Swedenborg reveals a spiritual struggle that resonates beyond the literal. He explains that the “sons” represent truths being born within the human mind, while the oppressive Egyptian king symbolizes worldly knowledge corrupted by selfishness and materialism. The midwives’ defiance—sparing the boys—symbolizes moments in our spiritual journey when simple, humble forms of goodness within us protect truth from being destroyed by worldly cynicism. Swedenborg shows how even when external pressures push us toward spiritual compromise, there is a divine force ensuring that innocence and truth survive. Teachings on Neighborly Love: Who Is My Neighbor? In his “Teachings on Neighborly Love” that frame the book’s biblical exposition, Swedenborg offers a profound rethinking of a well-known Christian concept. Rather than seeing “neighbor” as simply anyone in need, he explains that our neighbor is the goodness within others—goodness that comes from the Lord. He describes how acting in love means discerning how best to serve, recognizing that helping someone committed to harming others is different from uplifting those pursuing good. It’s a nuanced, soul-searching teaching that asks readers to reconsider the purpose and depth of their kindness. Presented in a clear, modern translation, this Portable New Century Edition offers an accessible entry point to Swedenborg’s visionary theology. Since its original publication in Neo-Latin as Arcana Coelestia in the mid-1700s, Swedenborg’s Secrets of Heaven series has been providing a compelling perspective on the hidden wisdom within scripture to biblical scholars, spiritual seekers, and individuals exploring the deeper layers of faith.
