5. 1. What the spiritual meaning is. The spiritual meaning is not the sense that shines from the literal one when one is studying the Word and interpreting it in order to confirm some dogma of the church. This sense is the Word’s literal sense. Rather its spiritual meaning is one not apparent in the literal one. The spiritual meaning lies within the literal one, like the soul within the body, like thought within the eyes, and affection within the face, which operate in concert, like cause and effect.

That spiritual meaning is what principally causes the Word to be spiritual, not only for people, but also for angels. Consequently that meaning is the means by which the Word communicates with the heavens.

29. It is owing to this that the number three in the Word means, in the spiritual sense, something complete and perfect, and everything together. And because this is the symbolic meaning of the number, it is therefore employed in the Word whenever something of that sort is indicated, as in the following instances:

That Isaiah walked naked and barefoot three years (Isaiah 20:3).

That Jehovah called Samuel three times, that Samuel three times ran to Eli, and that Eli understood the third time (1 Samuel 3:1-8).

That David told Jonathan he would hide in the field three days; that Jonathan later shot three arrows to the side of the stone; and that David afterward bowed three times before Jonathan (1 Samuel 20:5, 12-41).

That Elijah stretched himself out on the widow’s son three times (1 Kings 17:21).

That Elijah ordered the people to pour water on the burnt offering three times (1 Kings 18:34).

That Jesus said the kingdom of heaven is like leaven, which a woman took and hid in three measures of meal till it was all leavened (Matthew 13:33).

That Jesus told Peter he would deny Him three times (Matthew 26:34).

That the Lord three times said to Peter, “Do you love Me?” (John 21:15-17).

That Jonah was in the belly of the great fish three days and three nights (Jonah 1:17).

That Jesus said they would destroy the Temple, and in three days He would rebuild it (John 2:19, Matthew 26:61).

That Jesus prayed three times in Gethsemane (Matthew 26:39-44).

That Jesus rose on the third day (Matthew 28:1)

And so on in many other places where three is mentioned. And it is mentioned wherever the subject is a finished and perfect work, because that is the symbolic meaning of the number.