4891. That was at the fountains upon the way. That this signifies that it appeared as truth, is evident from the signification of “fountains,” as being the truths of the church (see n. 2702, 3096, 3424, 4861). It is said “upon the way,” because a “way” is predicated of truth, and in the opposite sense of falsity (n. 627, 2333, 3123, 3142); and as it is asked, “where is the harlot that was at the fountains upon the way?” thereby is signified whether it was falsity that appeared as truth.

2332. Wash your feet. That this signifies application to his natural, is evident from what was said in the preceding chapter (n. 2162), where are the same words. In former times, when they saw an angel of Jehovah, they believed that they were about to die (Exodus 19:12, 21, 24; 20:19; Judges 6:22-23; 13:22-23), for the reason that when the Divine Holy flows into the profane that is with man, its virtue is such as to cause it to be a devouring and consuming fire; and therefore when the Lord presents Himself to the view of any man, or even of any angel, He miraculously moderates and tempers the Holy that proceeds from Him, so that they may be able to endure it; or what is the same, He applies Himself to their natural. This then is what is signified in the internal sense by these words which Lot said to the angels: “Wash your feet.” And this shows what is the nature of the internal sense, for that this is the signification cannot be seen from the sense of the letter.