5374. To buy. That this signifies appropriation therefrom, is evident from the signification of “buying,” as being to procure for one’s self, thus to appropriate. Procuring and appropriating spiritually are effected by means of good and truth. To this corresponds the procuring and appropriating that in the world are effected by means of silver and gold; for in the spiritual sense “silver” is truth, and “gold” is good. Hence “buying” signifies appropriation, as also in the following passages in the Word:

Everyone that thirsteth come ye to the waters, and he that hath no silver; come ye, buy and eat; yea, come, buy wine and milk without silver and without price (Isaiah 55:1; and also in Jeremiah (Jeremiah 13:1-2, 11).

In Matthew:

The kingdom of the heavens is like unto treasure hid in the field; which when a man hath found, he hideth, and in his joy he goeth and selleth all that he hath, and buyeth that field. Again, the kingdom of the heavens is like unto a merchantman, seeking goodly pearls, and he went and sold all that he had, and bought it (Matthew 13:44-46).

Again:

The prudent virgins said to the foolish ones, Go ye to them that sell, and buy for yourselves. And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came (Matthew 25:9-10).

[2] As “buying” signifies appropriation, therefore in the Word the things bought with silver are well distinguished from those otherwise obtained. Moreover, the servants bought with silver were as one’s own, and in a lower degree like those born in the house; and therefore they are often mentioned together, as in Genesis:

Circumcising he shall be circumcised that is born in thy house, and he that is bought with thy silver (Genesis 17:13);

and in Leviticus:

If a priest buy any soul with the purchase of silver, he and one that is born in his house, they shall eat of his bread (Leviticus 22:11).

Hence it is evident what is signified by the “redeemed (or those bought back) of Jehovah,” in the Word, namely, those who have received good and truth, and thus those to whom the things of the Lord have been appropriated.

620. That by the “earth” is signified the race which has been treated of before, is evident from what has already been told respecting the signification of “earth” and of “ground.” The “earth” ¹ is a term very often used in the Word; and by it is signified the “land” where the true church of the Lord is, as the “land” of Canaan; also a “land” where there is not a church, as the “land” of Egypt, and of the Gentiles. Thus it denotes the race that dwells there; and as it denotes the race, it denotes likewise everyone of the race who is there. The church is called the “land” from celestial love, as the “land of Canaan;” and the “land of the Gentiles” from impure loves. But it is called “ground” from faith which is implanted; for, as has been said, the land or country is the containant of the ground, and the ground is the containant of the field, just as love is the containant of faith, and faith is the containant of the knowledges of faith which are implanted. Here the “earth” is taken for a race in which everything of celestial love and of the church had perished. What is predicated is known from the subject.

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