8665. And they asked a man his companion as to peace. That this signifies a mutual Divine celestial state, is evident from the signification of “asking as to peace,” as being consociation in respect to a Divine celestial state (of which below); and from the signification of “a man to his companion,” as being mutually. That “asking as to peace” denotes consociation in respect to a Divine celestial state, is because in the internal sense “to ask as to peace” is to ask about the life, its prosperity and happiness; but in the supreme sense, where Divine good and truth Divine are the subject treated of, “to ask as to peace” denotes consociation in respect to a Divine celestial state. For in the supreme sense “peace” signifies the Lord, and from this the state of the inmost heaven, where they are who are in love to the Lord, and from this in innocence. These moreover are above all others in peace, because in the Lord; and their state is called “Divine celestial.” Hence it is that by “peace” is here meant such a state. (What “peace” denotes in the supreme sense, and what in the internal sense, see n. 3780, 4681, 5662, 8455)

3780. And he said into them, Hath he peace? That this signifies, Is not this good from the Lord’s kingdom? is evident from the signification of “peace,” concerning which in what follows. In the historical sense inquiry is made concerning Laban, as to whether he hath peace, but in the internal sense the inquiry is concerning the good which is represented by Laban. That Laban represents the collateral good of a common stock, that is, such good as exists among the Gentiles, who are in the general church, that is, in the Lord’s kingdom, may be seen just above (n. 3778). From this it is evident what is signified by the words, “Is not this good from the Lord’s kingdom?”

[2] In regard to peace, in the supreme sense it signifies the Lord Himself, and hence in the internal sense His kingdom, and it is the Lord’s Divine inmostly affecting the good in which are those who are therein. That these things are signified in the Word by “peace,” is evident from many passages; as in Isaiah:

Unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given; and the government shall be upon His shoulder and His name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, God, Hero, Father of Eternity, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of His government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon His kingdom (Isaiah 9:6-7); where the “Prince of Peace” manifestly denotes the Lord; and “the increase of His government and peace” denotes the things which are in His kingdom, thus His kingdom itself. Again:

The work of righteousness shall be peace, and the labor of righteousness quietness and security for ever; and My people shall dwell in a habitation of peace (Isaiah 32:17-18);

in which passage the Lord’s kingdom is treated of, where peace, quietness, and security succeed each other; a “habitation of peace” denotes heaven.

[3] Again:

The angels of peace weep bitterly; the paths are laid waste, the wayfaring man hath ceased (Isaiah 33:7-8);

“angels of peace” denote those who are in the Lord’s kingdom, thus that kingdom itself, and in the supreme sense the Lord; the “paths being laid waste, and the wayfaring man ceasing,” signifies that there is no longer truth anywhere. (That “paths” and “ways” are truths, see above, n. 627, 2333). Again:

How delightful upon the mountains are the feet of him that bringeth good tidings, that publisheth peace; that saith unto Zion, Thy God ¹ reigneth (Isaiah 52:7); where “he that bringeth good tidings and publisheth peace” denotes the Lord’s kingdom. Again:

The mountains shall depart, and the hills be removed; but My mercy shall not depart from thee, neither shall the covenant of My peace be removed (Isaiah 54:10).

Again:

The way of peace have they not known; and there is no judgment in their tracks (Isaiah 59:8).

In Jeremiah:

I will take away My peace from this people, saith Jehovah, even compassion and mercy (Jeremiah 16:5).

[4] Again:

The folds of peace are laid waste, because of the burning of the anger of Jehovah (Jeremiah 25:37).

Again:

The prophet who prophesieth of peace, when the word of the prophet ² shall come to pass, then shall the prophet be known, that Jehovah hath sent him (Jeremiah 28:9).

Again:

I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith Jehovah, thoughts of peace (Jeremiah 29:11).

So in Haggai:

The glory of this latter house shall be greater than that of the former; for in this place will I give peace (Haggai 2:9).

And in Zechariah:

They shall be a seed of peace; the vine shall give her fruit, and the earth shall give her increase, and the heavens shall give their dew (Zech. 7:12).

In David:

Keep integrity ³ and behold the upright, because the end for that man is peace (Psalms 37:37).

In Luke:

Jesus saith to His disciples, Into whatsoever house ye enter, first say, Peace be to this house. And if the son of peace be there, your peace shall rest upon it; but if not, it shall turn to you again (Luke 10:5-6).

In John:

Peace I leave with you, My peace I give unto you; not as the world giveth, give I unto you (John 14:27).

Again:

Jesus said, These things have I spoken unto you that in Me ye may have peace (John 16:33).

[5] In all these passages in the supreme sense “peace” signifies the Lord; and in the representative sense His kingdom, and good from the Lord therein, thus the Divine which flows into good, or into the affections of good, which also causes joy and happiness from the inmost. From this it is manifest what is meant by these words of the benediction:

Jehovah lift up His faces upon thee and give thee peace (Numbers 6:26);

and what by the salutation used of old, “Peace be unto you;” and the same addressed by the Lord to the apostles (John 20:19, 21, 26). See also what is said concerning peace elsewhere (n. 92, 93, 1726, 2780, 3170, 3696).

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