9344. Thou shalt not make a covenant with them, and with their gods. That this signifies no communication with evils and falsities, is evident from the signification of “making a covenant,” as being to be conjoined (see n. 665, 666, 1023, 1038, 1864, 1996, 2003, 2021, 6804, 8767, 8778), thus also to be communicated, for they who communicate together are conjoined; from the signification of “the inhabitants of the land,” who in this case are those with whom they were not to make a covenant, as being evils (of which just above, n. 9342); and from the signification of “gods,” as being falsities (n. 4402, 4544, 7873, 8867, 8941).

8767. And keep My covenant. That this signifies life in good and the consequent conjunction, is evident from the signification of “keeping the covenant,” as being to live according to the commandments, thus in good, and thus to be conjoined with the Lord. That “keeping the covenant” denotes living according to the commandments, thus in good, and thus being conjoined with the Lord, is because the articles of the covenant were all the things that were commanded, which were called “testimonies,” “judgments,” “laws,” and “statutes;” specifically, the ten commandments. All these were also called “the covenant,” because by means of these it was made. That “to keep” these denotes to live according to them, is evident from the signification of “keeping,” in the Word, for frequent mention is there made of “hearing the commandments,” and “keeping them,” and by “hearing” is signified receiving them in faith, and by “keeping” receiving them in the life, that is, living according to them. That “to keep a covenant” denotes to be conjoined, is because in the universal sense by “a covenant” is signified conjunction (see n. 665, 666, 1023, 1038, 1864, 1996, 2003, 2021, 6804). This is for the reason that he who lives according to the commandments is conjoined with the Lord; for the commandments teach life and also give life, and thus open the way to heaven, and the sight to the Lord.