287. And the number of them was myriads of myriads, and thousands of thousands, signifies all in truths and in goods. By "number," in the natural sense, is meant that which has relation to measure or weight, but by "number," in the spiritual sense, that which has relation to quality; and here their quality is described by their being "myriads of myriads, and thousands of thousands," for "a myriad" is predicated of truths, and "a thousand" of goods. The reason why "a myriad" is predicated of truths, and "a thousand" of goods, is because a myriad is the greater number, and a thousand a less, and truths are manifold, but goods are simple; also because where truths are treated of in the Word, goods are treated of also, on account of the marriage of good and truth existing in every particular, otherwise it would have been sufficient to have said "myriads of myriads." Since these two numbers have such a signification, they are mentioned also in other places, as in the following:
The chariots of God are two myriads, thousands of angels of peace, the Lord is in them, Sinai in the sanctuary (Ps. 68:17).
I saw, when the Ancient of Days did sit, a thousand thousands ministered unto Him, and myriads of myriads stood before Him (Dan. 7:9-10).
Moses said of Joseph:
His horns are the horns of a unicorn; with them he shall push the people together to the ends of the earth; and they are the myriads of Ephraim, and the thousands of Manasseh (Deut. 33:17).
Thou shalt not be afraid for the pestilence that creepeth in thick darkness, nor for the death that wasteth at noonday, a thousand shall fall at thy side, and a myriad at thy right hand (Ps. 91:5-7).
Our flocks are thousands, myriads in our streets (Ps. 144:13).
Is Jehovah delighted with thousands of rams, or with myriads of rivers of oil? (Micah 6:7).
When the ark rested, Moses said:
Return, Jehovah, unto the myriads of the thousands of Israel (Num. 10:36).
In all these places "myriads" are spoken of truths, and "thousands" of goods.