5813. 'And should he leave his father, [his father] will die' means that, if separated, the Church would perish. This is clear from the meaning of 'leaving' as being separated, as immediately above in 5812; and from the meaning of 'dying' as existing no more, dealt with in 494, and so perishing. Since this truth joined to spiritual good constitutes the Church, 5806, the Church would therefore perish if such truth were separated from this good. Furthermore Israel, to whom 'father' refers here, represents the Church, 4286, though not if this truth is not there.