17. Verse 2 And the earth was a void and an emptiness, and there was thick darkness over the face ¹ of the deep; and the Spirit of God was hovering over the face ¹ of the waters. The person who has yet to be regenerated is called 'a void and an empty earth', and also 'ground', in which no good or truth at all has been sown - 'void' where there is no good, and 'empty' where there is no truth. Consequently there is 'thick darkness', or stupidity and lack of knowledge about anything that has to do with faith in the Lord and so anything that has to do with spiritual and celestial life. This kind of person is described by the Lord through Jeremiah,

My people are foolish, they know Me not; they are stupid children, having no understanding; they are wise to do evil, and know not how to do good. I looked to the earth, and, behold, a void and an emptiness; and towards the heavens, and they had no light. Jeremiah 4:22-23, 25.

फुटनोट:

10212. 'Throughout your generations' means members of the Church with whom the truths and forms of the good of faith are present. This is clear from the meaning of 'generations' as matters of faith and charity, dealt with in the places referred to in 10204. The reason why members of the Church are meant is that real truths and forms of the good of faith and love exist only with them, because with them the Word is present; and the children of Israel (it is their generations who should be understood here) mean the Church, see the places referred to in 9340.