2436. Verse 22 Make haste, escape to it, for I cannot do anything until you come to it. Therefore he called the name of the city Zoar.

'Make haste, escape to it' means that he should remain in that position because he could not go further. 'For I cannot do anything until you come to it' means that before judgement is effected on the evil those with the affection for truth have to be saved. 'Therefore he called the name of the city Zoar' means the affection for truth.

2428. 'Behold now, this city is near to flee to it' means that he would be allowed [to think and act] from the truth of faith. This is clear from the meaning of 'a city' as doctrinal teaching, and so the truth of faith, dealt with in 402, 2268. It is said to be 'near' because truth is closely related to good. Consequently 'to flee to it' means that he would be allowed to do so from that truth because he would be unable to do so from good, 2422.