4600. 'And it happened while Israel was residing in that land' means during this state, namely that of good arising out of truth. This is clear from the meaning of 'residing' as living, for residing is similar in meaning to 'dwelling', the difference being that 'residing' has reference to truth but 'dwelling' to good - 'dwelling' meaning being and living, and so state, see 3384; and from the meaning of 'land' as the Church as regards good, dealt with in 566, 662, 1066, 1067, 1262, 1413, 1607, 1733, 1850, 2117, 2118, 2571, 2928, 3355, 4447, 4535, in this case as regards the good of truth. A state involving this good which Israel had now arrived at is the state meant here.

1262. From this it now becomes clear that 'the earth' here also means the Church; for when the earth is mentioned, one's only perception is of the nation or people there, and when a nation or people is envisaged one's only perception is of their character. Consequently 'the earth' means nothing other than the Church, as shown already in 662, 1066.