In Genesis 11:4, this signifies the worship of self, which consists of a person exalting himself above others, even to the point of worship. This is why self-love, which is arrogance and pride, is called 'height,' 'loftiness,' and 'lifting up,' and is described with anything high. Self-love in worship, or the worship of self is called 'a tower,' because 'a city' signifies doctrine, and ancient cities were fortified with towers with guards. Towers were also built on the borders of a country. This is why they were called guard towers, or watchmen in 2 Kings 9:17, 17:9, 18:8, and watch-towers, in Isaiah 23:13.

In Matthew 21:33; Isaiah 5:2, this signifies interior truths into which there is influx, and communication with heaven. (Arcana Coelestia 918[4])

In Psalm 48:12, this signifies to consider the higher or interior things of that church. (Arcana Coelestia 453[10])

'To build a tower,' as in Luke 14:27, signifies acquiring interior truths.

(Odkazy: Arcana Coelestia 4599; Isaiah 25, 30, 30:25)

1296. “来吧, 我们要作砖” 表他们为自己制造虚假. 这从 “砖” 的含义明显可知. 在圣言中, “石头” 表真理, 因此, “砖” 因是人造的, 故表虚假, 因为砖是人造的石头. “砖” 有这样的含义, 可从以下经文进一步看出来. 以赛亚书:

我整天伸手招呼那悖逆的百姓, 他们随自己的意念行不善之道, 在园中献祭, 在砖上烧香. (以赛亚书 65:2-3)

“在砖上烧香” 表出于编造和虚假之物的敬拜; 因此, 经上说这些人 “随自己的意念行走”. 同一先知书:

以法莲和撒玛利亚的居民凭骄傲自大的心说, 砖墙塌了, 我们却要凿石头建筑. (以赛亚书 9:9-10)

“以法莲” 表误入歧途, 视假或 “砖头” 为真的聪明人. “凿石头” 表编造之物. 那鸿书:

你要打水预备受困, 要坚固你的保障, 踹土和泥, 修补砖窑. 在那里火必烧灭你, 刀必杀戮你. (那鸿书 3:14-15)

此处 “踹土” 表虚假, “修补砖窑” 表基于它们的敬拜. “火” 是对恶欲的惩罚, “刀” 是对虚假的惩罚. 以西结书:

你要拿一块砖摆在你面前, 将一座耶路撒冷城刻在其上. (以西结书 4:1)

他还受命围攻它, 其中所预言的事就暗示这敬拜被歪曲. “砖” 表虚假, 这从 “石头” 的含义进一步看出来, 稍后将论述, “石头” 表真理.