58. However, in Atzilut there are twelve partzufim: The four partzufim of Keter, which are called Atik and Nukba, Arikh and Nukba; the four partzufim of Bina, which are called Abba and Imma Ila’in and Yisrael Sabba and Tevuna; and the four partzufim of Ze’er Anpin and Nukba, which are called the “big” Ze’er Anpin and Nukba and the “small” Ze’er Anpin and Nukba.139The ascent of Malkhut to Bina in the second constriction ultimately resulted in a situation in which each partzuf is now paired with a “female” partzuf.
Thus, Atik and Arikh, partzufim of the level of Keter, are each paired with Nukba, a partzuf of Malkhut. Similarly, the first three of Bina (mentioned in the earlier sections – see sections 41 – 43 for useful background on this section) become the “male” and “female” partzufim of Abba and Imma Ila’in (the supernal father and mother). The lower seven of Bina become the pairing of Yisrael Sabba and Tevuna.
Finally, there are two “sizes” of Ze'er Anpin and Nukba, for a total of four partzufim structures between them. The author of the Sulam elaborates on these structures in the following sections.