2439. Therefore he called the name of the city Zoar. That this signifies the affection of truth, is evident from the signification of Zoar,” as being the affection of good, namely, of the good of knowledge, that is, the affection of truth (see n. 1589); and from the signification of “calling a name,” as being to know the quality (see n. 144, 145, 1754, 2009); here that there was a little truth, for in the original language “Zoar” means “little,” or “small.” In comparison with those who are in the affection of good, they who are in the affection of truth have little truth because they have little good (see above, n. 2429).

[2] Moreover that truths which are in themselves truths are with one person more true, with another less true, and with some not true at all, and even false, is evident from almost all things which in themselves are true; for they are varied in the man with whom they are, in accordance with his affections. For example, the doing of a good work or a good of charity: in itself it is a truth that this is to be done; and with one person it is a good of charity, because it proceeds from charity; with another it is a work of obedience, because it proceeds from obedience; with some it is work of self-merit, because by it they desire to merit and to obtain salvation; but with others it is hypocritical, being done in order that they may seem charitable; and so on. It is the same with all other things that are called truths of faith. And this shows that there is much truth with those who are in the affection of good, and less truth with those who are in the affection of truth; for the latter regard good as being more remote from themselves, whereas the former regard good as being present in themselves.

2429. It is a little one. That this signifies from the little truth that he had, is evident from the signification of a “city,” as being truth, concerning which just above. Its being “little” signifies that there was little of truth; here, from the little that he had, as is evident from what precedes and what follows.

[2] As regards the thing itself, namely, that they who are in the affection of truth have little truth in comparison with those who are in the affection of good, this is evident from the fact that it is from the meager and obscure good appertaining to them that they regard truth. The truth in a man is exactly according to the good that is in him. Where there is little good, there is little truth. They are in a like ratio and in a like degree, or, as we say, they march with even step. This indeed may seem a paradox, but still the case is so. Good is the very essence of truth, and truth without its essence is not truth, although it appears as if it were; it is merely a sounding brass, and is like an empty vessel.

[3] In order that anyone may have truth in himself, he must not only know it, but also acknowledge it, and have faith in it; he then for the first time has truth, because it then affects him, and remains. It is otherwise when he only knows truth, and does not acknowledge it, and have faith in it; for in this case he has not the truth in himself. This is the case with many who are in evil: they are able to know truths, sometimes more than other men; but still they have not the truth; nay, they have it so much the less, because at heart they deny it.

[4] It is provided by the Lord that no one should have (that is, acknowledge and believe) more truth than he receives of good. Hence it is here said of the city, by which truth is signified, that it is a “little one,” and again in this verse, “Is it not a little one?” also in verse 22, that he called the name of the city “Zoar,” which in the original language means “little;” for the reason that those are here treated of who are in the affection of truth, and not so much in the affection of good.