5613. For except we had lingered. That this signifies tarrying in a state of doubt, is evident from the signification of “lingering,” as being a state of doubt; for as “going,” “advancing,” “journeying,” and “sojourning” signify states of life (see n. 5605), so “lingering” signifies a state of doubt, because when the state of life is in a state of doubt, then the external is in a state of lingering. Moreover, this is to be seen in man himself; for when his mind hangs in any doubt, he halts and deliberates. The reason is that doubt makes the state of life hesitating and wavering, and consequently the outward progression, which is the effect. Hence it is plain that tarrying in a state of doubt is signified by “except we had lingered.”