8798. No hand shall touch it. That this signifies that they who insert themselves through any self-confidence, is evident from the signification of “touching,” namely, the mountain, as being to insert themselves into Divine celestial good (see just above, n. 8797); and from the signification of “hand,” as being power (n. 4931-4937, 5327, 5328, 6292, 6947, 7188, 7189, 7518, 7673, 8050, 8153, 8281); consequently also self-confidence (n. 878, 5544).

7189. And by a strong hand shall he drive them out of his land. That this signifies that with all force and power they shall make them flee from their neighborhood, is evident from the signification of a “strong hand,” as being with all force and power (of which just above,n. 7188); from the signification of “driving them out,” as being to put to flight; and from the signification of “their land,” as being their neighborhood. (That the land where they of the spiritual church are infested by falsities is near the hells which infest, and is called the “lower earth,” see n. 7090.) Hence “from their land” denotes from their neighborhood.