Metaphysical meaning of Ashkenaz (mbd)
Ashkenaz (A. V., Jer. 51:27, Ashchenaz), ash'-ke-naz (Heb.)--fire that spreads; latent fire; hidden fire.
a Grandson of Japheth, Noah's son (Gen. 10:3). b A tribe descended from Ashkenaz, and a State in Armenia where these people lived. Ashkenaz was named with Ararat and Minni as kingdoms whose inhabitants the Lord was going to send against Babylon to overthrow it (Jer. 51:27).
Meta. Babylon signifies confusion. The fire that spreads to assist in doing away with the confused state of mind that Babylon represents is the life thought founded in Spirit (Ashkenaz). When this thought is taken up consciously by man it extends quickly to the whole consciousness and overthrows sense confusion and its inharmonies (Babylon). Fire is generally used in the Bible as a symbol of the destruction of evil and error. It stands for cleansing and purification. In its real, true essence, it is the fire of Spirit, or the divine energy, which never ceases its life-giving, purifying glow; but when its cleansing work is completed in man's mind and body, there is no more error to be consumed and it then manifests in purified man as his eternal life.
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Preceding Entry: Ashkelon
Following Entry: Ashnah
