433. And their faces were as the faces of men, signifies that they appeared to themselves to be wise. By "man," in the Word, is signified one wise and intelligent (n. 243); and by his "face," wisdom and intelligence; hence it is, that by "their faces as the faces of men," is signified that they appeared to themselves to be wise. They are also called wise, learned, and erudite, although they are among the foolish virgins, who had no oil in their lamps (Matthew 25:1-2). "Oil" signifies love and charity; and among the foolish means among those who hear the Lord, that is, read the Word, and do not do it (Matthew 7:26).
