621. The earth ¹ is called 'corrupt' on account of dreadful persuasions and 'filled with violence' on account of filthy desires. This is clear from the meaning of the expression 'to corrupt' and of the expression 'violence'. In the Word one expression is never used for another. Without fail the exact one is used that properly expresses the matter under discussion. Indeed so true is this that from the very expressions that are used it is immediately evident what the internal sense contains, as in the case here with the expressions 'to corrupt' and 'violence'. 'To corrupt' has reference to the things that belong to the understanding once it has been made desolate, 'violence' to those that belong to the will once this has been laid waste. 'To corrupt' accordingly relates to persuasions, and 'violence' to evil desires.

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