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{{Short description|Book on theology by Emanuel Swedenborg}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2023}}
{{italic title}}
{{italic title}}
The '''''Arcana Cœlestia, quae in Scriptura Sacra seu Verbo Domini sunt, detecta''''', usually abbreviated as ''Arcana Cœlestia'' (''Heavenly Mysteries'' or ''Secrets of Heaven'') or under its Latin variant, ''Arcana Cælestia'',<ref>Cf. [https://books.google.com/books?id=aRh1P-H8Q7sC&pg=PA1&lpg=PA1&dq=swedenborg+Arcana+Caelestia&source=bl&ots=y5kpqudrye&sig=yFc493-L8_U85q_cKcrR4cJhOO0&hl=fr&ei=kOnbTNzkDYSDhQe7h7nPAg&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=1&ved=0CBYQ6AEwADgy#v=onepage&q=swedenborg%20Arcana%20Caelestia&f=false Michelle Grier, 'Swedenborg and Kant on Spiritual Intuition'] in ''On the True Philosopher: Essays on Swedenborg'', ed. Stephen McNeilly (London: Swedenborg Society, 2002), p. 1. Accessed November 11, 2010.</ref> is the first and largest work published by [[Emanuel Swedenborg]] in his theological period. It was written and published in [[New Latin language|Neo-Latin]], in eight volumes, one volume per year, from 1749 to 1756.<ref>In the standard edition of the ''Arcana Coelestia'', revised and edited by Rev. John Faulkner Potts and published by the Swedenborg Foundation in 1956, the prefatory notes by the reviser contains a summary of the publishing history for the work originally published by Swedenborg.</ref>
The '''''Arcana Cœlestia, quae in Scriptura Sacra seu Verbo Domini sunt, detecta''''', usually abbreviated as ''Arcana Cœlestia'' (''Heavenly Mysteries'' or ''Secrets of Heaven'') or under its Latin variant, ''Arcana Cælestia'',<ref>Cf. [https://books.google.com/books?id=aRh1P-H8Q7sC&dq=swedenborg+Arcana+Caelestia&pg=PA1 Michelle Grier, 'Swedenborg and Kant on Spiritual Intuition'] in ''On the True Philosopher: Essays on Swedenborg'', ed. Stephen McNeilly (London: Swedenborg Society, 2002), p. 1. Accessed November 11, 2010.</ref> is an 8-volume theological work published by [[Emanuel Swedenborg]] in the 1750s.<ref>In the 12-volume standard English edition of the ''Arcana Coelestia'', revised and edited by Rev. John Faulkner Potts and published by the Swedenborg Foundation in 1956, the prefatory notes by the reviser contains a summary of the publishing history for the work originally published by Swedenborg.</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2013-04-12 |title=Redesigned Standard Edition Downloads - Swedenborg Foundation |url=https://swedenborg.com/emanuel-swedenborg/writings/rse-downloads/ |access-date=2023-08-23 |website=swedenborg.com |language=en-US}}</ref>
[[File:Arcana Caelestia 0001.jpg|right|thumb|''Arcana Cœlestia'', first edition (1749), title page]]
[[File:Arcana Caelestia 0001.jpg|right|thumb|''Arcana Cœlestia'', first edition (1749), title page]]


==Overview==
⚫
It consists of an exposition of the spiritual sense of the books of [[Book of Genesis|Genesis]] and [[Book of Exodus|Exodus]], according to the doctrine of [[correspondence (theology)]], and demonstrated by many supporting quotations from the [[Hebrew Bible]] and the [[New Testament]]. While not denying the historicity of the stories of the [[Patriarchs (Bible)]] and [[The Exodus]] from Egypt, it explains them as describing symbolically the process of spiritual growth and struggles in each individual person.
Swedenborg was born in Sweden in 1688. His father was a [[Christian]] pastor in the [[Lutheran Church]]. The first part of his life was devoted to studying sciences, especially metallurgy. In 1740 he published ''Oeconomia Regni Animalis'' (Dynamics of the Soul's Domain), where he looked at connections between the spiritual and physical worlds. In 1744 he underwent a spiritual awakening and started to record his experiences and visions. ''Arcana Cœlestia'' was his first theological publication. It was published in London, partly to avoid Swedish anti-heresy laws.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2013-03-01 |title=Swedenborg's Biography - Swedenborg Foundation |url=https://swedenborg.com/emanuel-swedenborg/about-life/ |access-date=2023-08-23 |website=swedenborg.com |language=en-US}}</ref>


==Structure==
What follows is the opening paragraph of ''Arcana Coelestia'' Volume 1, and therefore the opening statement of the whole corpus of theological work that Swedenborg claimed was revealed to him.<ref>https://newchristianbiblestudy.org/swedenborg/</ref>
⚫
The publication is a spiritual interpretation of [[Book of Genesis|Genesis]] and [[Book of Exodus|Exodus]] (the first two books of the [[Bible]]), according to the doctrine of [[correspondence (theology)]], and demonstrated by many supporting quotations from the [[Hebrew Bible]] and the [[New Testament]]. While not denying the historicity of the stories of the [[Patriarchs (Bible)|Patriarchs]] and [[the Exodus]] from Egypt, it explains them as describing symbolically the process of spiritual growth and struggles in each individual person.
⚫
{{quotation| From the mere letter of the Word of the Old Testament no one would ever discern the fact that this part of the Word contains deep secrets of heaven, and that everything within it both in general and in particular bears reference to the Lord, to His heaven, to the church, to religious belief, and to all things connected therewith; for from the letter or sense of the letter all that anyone can see is that ̶ to speak generally ̶ everything therein has reference merely to the external rites and ordinances of the Jewish Church. Yet the truth is that everywhere in that Word there are internal things which never appear at all in the external things except a very few which the Lord revealed and explained to the Apostles; such as that the sacrifices signify the Lord; that the land of Canaan and Jerusalem signify heaven ̶ on which account they are called the Heavenly Canaan and Jerusalem ̶ and that Paradise has a similar signification. (Arcana Cœlestia #1)|}}


The Latin volumes are laid out as follows;<ref name="Theological Writings of Emanuel Swedenborg">{{cite web | url=https://www.thelordsnewchurch.org/books-of-the-third-testament.html | title=Theological Writings of Emanuel Swedenborg }}</ref>
⚫
==Editions==
⚫
There have been several translations made of ''Arcana Cœlestia'' (together with the rest of Swedenborg's theological work). Three are currently available:


*Volume 1, Genesis Chapters 1–15
⚫
===Swedenborg Foundation Standard Edition (12 volumes) ===
*Volume 2, Genesis Chapters 16–21
*Volume 3, Genesis Chapters 22–30
*Volume 4, Genesis Chapters 31–40
*Volume 5, Genesis Chapters 41–50
*Volume 6, Exodus Chapters 1–15
*Volume 7, Exodus Chapters 16–24
*Volume 8, Exodus Chapters 25–40


The English volumes are laid out as follows;<ref name="Theological Writings of Emanuel Swedenborg" />
⚫
Volumes of the Standard Edition were originally issued from 1929 to 1956, with the majority in 1938.


*Volume 1, Genesis Chapters 1–9
(a) A redesigned (not retranslated) hardback is available from the Swedenborg Foundation for purchase.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://swedenborg.com/bookstore/redesigned-standard-edition/|title=Redesigned Standard Edition for purchase|website=Swedenborg Foundation}}</ref>
*Volume 2, Genesis Chapters 10–17
*Volume 3, Genesis Chapters 18–22
*Volume 4, Genesis Chapters 23–27
*Volume 5, Genesis Chapters 29–31
*Volume 6, Genesis Chapters 32–38
*Volume 7, Genesis Chapters 39–43
*Volume 8, Genesis Chapters 44–50
*Volume 9, Exodus Chapters 1–12
*Volume 10, Exodus Chapters 13–21
*Volume 11, Exodus Chapters 22–28
*Volume 12, Exodus Chapters 29–40


==Preface==
(b) The Swedenborg Foundation also provides a volume-by-volume downloadable version at no cost.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://swedenborg.com/emanuel-swedenborg/writings/rse-downloads/|title=Redesigned Standard Edition Downloads|website=Swedenborg Foundation}}</ref>


(c) A searchable, online edition is available on the New Christian Bible Study website.<ref>https://newchristianbiblestudy.org/exposition/translation/arcana-coelestia-potts/intro/0</ref>
The opening paragraph of ''Arcana Coelestia'' Volume 1 is the opening statement of the corpus of theological work that Swedenborg claimed was revealed to him.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://newchristianbiblestudy.org/swedenborg/|title = The Writings of Emanuel Swedenborg - New Christian Bible Study}}</ref>
⚫
{{blockquote| From the mere letter of the Word of the Old Testament no one would ever discern the fact that this part of the Word contains deep secrets of heaven, and that everything within it both in general and in particular bears reference to the Lord, to His heaven, to the church, to religious belief, and to all things connected therewith; for from the letter or sense of the letter all that anyone can see is that - to speak generally - everything therein has reference merely to the external rites and ordinances of the Jewish Church. Yet the truth is that everywhere in that Word there are internal things which never appear at all in the external things except a very few which the Lord revealed and explained to the Apostles; such as that the sacrifices signify the Lord; that the land of Canaan and Jerusalem signify heaven - on which account they are called the Heavenly Canaan and Jerusalem - and that Paradise has a similar signification. (Arcana Cœlestia #1)|}}


⚫
==Editions==
(d) Sacred Texts provides a DVD version for purchase and an online version at no cost.<ref>http://www.sacred-texts.com/swd/ac/index.htm</ref>
⚫
There have been several translations made of ''Arcana Cœlestia'' (together with the rest of Swedenborg's theological work), including:


===Swedenborg Society (12 volumes) ===
=== Swedenborg Foundation Standard Edition (12 volumes) ===


⚫
Volumes of the Standard Edition were originally issued from 1929 to 1956, with the majority in 1938.
This is a new contemporary translation, available in hardback and paperback for purchase.<ref>http://www.newchurchbooks.com/SearchResults.asp?Search=elliot&Submit=Search</ref>


=== Swedenborg Foundation New Century Edition (2 of 12 volumes currently available)===
=== Swedenborg Society (12 volumes) ===
⚫
This also is a new contemporary edition, the translation of which is still in progress<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://swedenborg.com/emanuel-swedenborg/writings/new-century-edition/|title=The New Century Edition|date=2013-04-02|website=Swedenborg Foundation|language=en-US|access-date=2019-08-06}}</ref>. The two volumes that have been released so far can be purchased in e-book, paperback, and hardcover formats, or downloaded for free as PDF or EPUB files.<ref>Volume 1: https://swedenborg.com/product/secrets-heaven-1-nce/


This is a new contemporary translation.
Volume 2: https://swedenborg.com/product/secrets-heaven-2-nce/</ref>


⚫
=== Swedenborg Foundation New Century Edition (3 of 15 volumes currently available) ===
⚫
===The Neo-Latin original===
⚫
This edition was updated in the 1900s.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://swedenborg.com/emanuel-swedenborg/writings/new-century-edition/|title=The New Century Edition|date=2013-04-02|website=Swedenborg Foundation|language=en-US|access-date=2019-08-06}}</ref>


⚫
=== The Neo-Latin original (8 volumes)===
Swedenborg's theological works were written in [[New Latin language|Neo-Latin]].


(a) The Neo-Latin first edition published by Swedenborg is available online at no charge.<ref>http://newchristianbiblestudy.org/exposition/translation/arcana-coelestia/gen-1/10</ref>
Swedenborg's theological work the Arcana Coelestia, published from 1749 to 1756 were originally written in [[Neo-Latin]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://newchristianbiblestudy.org/exposition/translation/arcana-coelestia/gen-1/10|title = Arcana Coelestia #1 (Original Latin) - New Christian Bible Study}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=BaysideChurch.org - Scan of the First Edition of Swedenborg's Writings |url=https://www.baysidechurch.org/writings/ |access-date=2023-08-23 |website=www.baysidechurch.org}}</ref>


⚫
=== The first translation into English ===
(b) Here is another source for that text:<ref>{{cite web|url=http://heavenlydoctrines.org/Writings%20Latin_title.html |title=Archived copy |accessdate=2013-03-04 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130924163247/http://heavenlydoctrines.org/Writings%20Latin_title.html |archivedate=2013-09-24 }}</ref>


The translation from Neo-Latin into English was commissioned by Swedenborg himself.
(c) Photographic images of the actual pages of the Neo-Latin first edition, again published by Swedenborg, are available online at no charge.<ref>http://www.baysidechurch.org/writings/</ref>

⚫
===The first translation into English===

[https://web.archive.org/web/20070811034143/http://www.thelordsnewchurch.com/online_books/english/Arcana_Caelestia_or_Heavenly_Secrets_chapter_16_1750_English_Translation_200dpi.pdf First Translation of Swedenborg's theological writings - 16th Chapter of Genesis as explained in the Arcana Cœlestia] - This translation from Neo-Latin into English was commissioned by Swedenborg himself and is a photocopy of a first edition copy. A preface by Swedenborg is included. (PDF - 12MB).


===Summaries and comments===
===Summaries and comments===


1. See Editor's Preface and the Reviser's Preface in the opening pages of the Standard Edition, Volume 1.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://swedenborg.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/swedenborg_foundation_arcana_coelestia_01.pdf|title=Arcana Coelestia Vol. 1|website=Swedenborg Foundation}}</ref> The Reviser Preface contains a summary of the publishing history for the work originally published by Swedenborg.
The Reviser Preface contains a summary of the publishing history for the work originally published by Swedenborg.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://swedenborg.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/swedenborg_foundation_arcana_coelestia_01.pdf|title=Arcana Coelestia Vol. 1|website=Swedenborg Foundation}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Arcana Caelestia vol. 1, Elliott, hardback |url=http://www.newchurchbooks.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=ACE%2D0V1%2DH%2DSS |access-date=2023-08-23 |website=www.newchurchbooks.com}}</ref>

2. See contents summary in text in box at bottom of this page.<ref>http://www.newchurchbooks.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=ACE%2D0V1%2DH%2DSS</ref>


==Notes==
==Notes==
Line 56: Line 72:


== Bibliography ==
== Bibliography ==
{{wikisource|Arcana Coelestia}}
* {{ISBN|0-87785-214-6}}
* {{ISBN|0-87785-214-6}}
* {{ISBN|978-0-87785-214-8}}
* {{ISBN|978-0-87785-214-8}}
* Sigstedt, C.,[http://www.swedenborgdigitallibrary.org/ES/epicfor.htm ''The Swedenborg Epic. The Life and Works of Emanuel Swedenborg''] (New York: Bookman Associates, 1952, Chapter 27)
* Sigstedt, C., [http://www.swedenborgdigitallibrary.org/ES/epicfor.htm ''The Swedenborg Epic. The Life and Works of Emanuel Swedenborg''] (New York: Bookman Associates, 1952, Chapter 27)


{{Emanuel Swedenborg}}
{{Swedenborgianism}}
{{Swedenborgianism}}
{{Book of Genesis}}
{{Book of Exodus}}


{{DEFAULTSORT:Arcana Coelestia}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Arcana Coelestia}}
[[Category:Works by Emanuel Swedenborg]]
[[Category:Works by Emanuel Swedenborg]]
[[Category:Old Testament theology]]
[[Category:Old Testament theology]]
[[Category:Biblical exegesis]]
[[Category:Biblical studies]]
[[Category:Biblical studies]]
[[Category:Swedenborgianism]]
[[Category:Swedenborgianism]]
Line 70: Line 91:
[[Category:Book of Genesis]]
[[Category:Book of Genesis]]
[[Category:Book of Exodus]]
[[Category:Book of Exodus]]
[[Category:18th-century books in Latin]]

Latest revision as of 20:00, 13 July 2024

The Arcana Cœlestia, quae in Scriptura Sacra seu Verbo Domini sunt, detecta, usually abbreviated as Arcana Cœlestia (Heavenly Mysteries or Secrets of Heaven) or under its Latin variant, Arcana Cælestia,[1] is an 8-volume theological work published by Emanuel Swedenborg in the 1750s.[2][3]

Arcana Cœlestia, first edition (1749), title page

Overview

[edit]

Swedenborg was born in Sweden in 1688. His father was a Christian pastor in the Lutheran Church. The first part of his life was devoted to studying sciences, especially metallurgy. In 1740 he published Oeconomia Regni Animalis (Dynamics of the Soul's Domain), where he looked at connections between the spiritual and physical worlds. In 1744 he underwent a spiritual awakening and started to record his experiences and visions. Arcana Cœlestia was his first theological publication. It was published in London, partly to avoid Swedish anti-heresy laws.[4]

Structure

[edit]

The publication is a spiritual interpretation of Genesis and Exodus (the first two books of the Bible), according to the doctrine of correspondence (theology), and demonstrated by many supporting quotations from the Hebrew Bible and the New Testament. While not denying the historicity of the stories of the Patriarchs and the Exodus from Egypt, it explains them as describing symbolically the process of spiritual growth and struggles in each individual person.

The Latin volumes are laid out as follows;[5]

  • Volume 1, Genesis Chapters 1–15
  • Volume 2, Genesis Chapters 16–21
  • Volume 3, Genesis Chapters 22–30
  • Volume 4, Genesis Chapters 31–40
  • Volume 5, Genesis Chapters 41–50
  • Volume 6, Exodus Chapters 1–15
  • Volume 7, Exodus Chapters 16–24
  • Volume 8, Exodus Chapters 25–40

The English volumes are laid out as follows;[5]

  • Volume 1, Genesis Chapters 1–9
  • Volume 2, Genesis Chapters 10–17
  • Volume 3, Genesis Chapters 18–22
  • Volume 4, Genesis Chapters 23–27
  • Volume 5, Genesis Chapters 29–31
  • Volume 6, Genesis Chapters 32–38
  • Volume 7, Genesis Chapters 39–43
  • Volume 8, Genesis Chapters 44–50
  • Volume 9, Exodus Chapters 1–12
  • Volume 10, Exodus Chapters 13–21
  • Volume 11, Exodus Chapters 22–28
  • Volume 12, Exodus Chapters 29–40

Preface

[edit]

The opening paragraph of Arcana Coelestia Volume 1 is the opening statement of the corpus of theological work that Swedenborg claimed was revealed to him.[6]

From the mere letter of the Word of the Old Testament no one would ever discern the fact that this part of the Word contains deep secrets of heaven, and that everything within it both in general and in particular bears reference to the Lord, to His heaven, to the church, to religious belief, and to all things connected therewith; for from the letter or sense of the letter all that anyone can see is that - to speak generally - everything therein has reference merely to the external rites and ordinances of the Jewish Church. Yet the truth is that everywhere in that Word there are internal things which never appear at all in the external things except a very few which the Lord revealed and explained to the Apostles; such as that the sacrifices signify the Lord; that the land of Canaan and Jerusalem signify heaven - on which account they are called the Heavenly Canaan and Jerusalem - and that Paradise has a similar signification. (Arcana Cœlestia #1)

Editions

[edit]

There have been several translations made of Arcana Cœlestia (together with the rest of Swedenborg's theological work), including:

Swedenborg Foundation Standard Edition (12 volumes)

[edit]

Volumes of the Standard Edition were originally issued from 1929 to 1956, with the majority in 1938.

Swedenborg Society (12 volumes)

[edit]

This is a new contemporary translation.

Swedenborg Foundation New Century Edition (3 of 15 volumes currently available)

[edit]

This edition was updated in the 1900s.[7]

The Neo-Latin original (8 volumes)

[edit]

Swedenborg's theological work the Arcana Coelestia, published from 1749 to 1756 were originally written in Neo-Latin.[8][9]

The first translation into English

[edit]

The translation from Neo-Latin into English was commissioned by Swedenborg himself.

Summaries and comments

[edit]

The Reviser Preface contains a summary of the publishing history for the work originally published by Swedenborg.[10][11]

Notes

[edit]
  1. ^ Cf. Michelle Grier, 'Swedenborg and Kant on Spiritual Intuition' in On the True Philosopher: Essays on Swedenborg, ed. Stephen McNeilly (London: Swedenborg Society, 2002), p. 1. Accessed November 11, 2010.
  2. ^ In the 12-volume standard English edition of the Arcana Coelestia, revised and edited by Rev. John Faulkner Potts and published by the Swedenborg Foundation in 1956, the prefatory notes by the reviser contains a summary of the publishing history for the work originally published by Swedenborg.
  3. ^ "Redesigned Standard Edition Downloads - Swedenborg Foundation". swedenborg.com. 12 April 2013. Retrieved 23 August 2023.
  4. ^ "Swedenborg's Biography - Swedenborg Foundation". swedenborg.com. 1 March 2013. Retrieved 23 August 2023.
  5. ^ a b "Theological Writings of Emanuel Swedenborg".
  6. ^ "The Writings of Emanuel Swedenborg - New Christian Bible Study".
  7. ^ "The New Century Edition". Swedenborg Foundation. 2 April 2013. Retrieved 6 August 2019.
  8. ^ "Arcana Coelestia #1 (Original Latin) - New Christian Bible Study".
  9. ^ "BaysideChurch.org - Scan of the First Edition of Swedenborg's Writings". www.baysidechurch.org. Retrieved 23 August 2023.
  10. ^ "Arcana Coelestia Vol. 1" (PDF). Swedenborg Foundation.
  11. ^ "Arcana Caelestia vol. 1, Elliott, hardback". www.newchurchbooks.com. Retrieved 23 August 2023.

Bibliography

[edit]
Wikisource has original text related to this article:
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