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).

9342. For I will give into your hand the inhabitants of the land. That this signifies command over evils, is evident from the signification of “giving into the hand,” as being to conquer and command; and from the signification of “the inhabitants of the land,” as being the evils of the church; for by “inhabitants” are signified goods (see n. 2268, 2451, 2712, 3613), consequently in the opposite sense, evils; because by the nations of the land of Canaan were signified the evils and falsities which infest and destroy the goods and truths of the church (n. 9327).