The original meaning of the word kisse, “throne,” requires no comment.
Since men of greatness and authority, as, e.g., kings, use the throne
as a seat, and “the throne” thus indicates the rank, dignity, and
position of the person for whom it is made, the Sanctuary has been
styled “the throne,” inasmuch as it likewise indicates the superiority
of Him who manifests Himself, and causes His light and glory to dwell
therein. Comp. “A glorious throne on high from the beginning is the
place of our sanctuary” (Jer. xvii. 12). For the same reason the
heavens are called “throne,” for to the mind of him who observes them
with intelligence they suggest the Omnipotence of the Being which has
called them into existence, regulates their motions, and governs the
sublunary world by their beneficial influence: as we read, “Thus saith
the Lord, The heavens are my throne and the earth my footstool” (Isa.
lxvi. 1); i.e., they testify to my Existence, my Essence, and my
Omnipotence, as the throne testifies to the greatness of him who is
worthy to occupy it.
This is the idea which true believers should entertain; not, however,
that the Omnipotent, Supreme God is supported by any material object;
for God is incorporeal, as we shall prove further on; how, then, can He
be said to occupy any space, or rest on a body? The fact which I wish
to point out is this: every place distinguished by the Almighty, and
chosen to receive His light and splendour, as, for instance, the
Sanctuary or the Heavens, is termed “throne”; and, taken in a wider
sense, as in the passage “For my hand is upon the throne of God” (Exod.
xvii. 16), “the throne” denotes here the Essence and Greatness of God.
These, however (the Essence and Greatness of God) need not be
considered as something separate from the God Himself or as part of the
Creation, so that God would appear to have existed both without the
throne, and with the throne; such a belief would be undoubtedly
heretical. It is distinctly stated, “Thou, O Lord, remainest for ever;
Thy throne from generation to generation” (Lam. v. 19). By “Thy throne”
we must, therefore, understand something inseparable from God. On that
account, both here and in all similar passages, the word “throne”
denotes God’s Greatness and Essence, which are inseparable from His
Being.
Our opinion will be further elucidated in the course of this Treatise.