In 2 Kings 1:2; Psalm 38:7; Exodus 15:26; Luke 6:17, this signifies temptations, and corresponds with the state of the man's spirit. (Arcana Coelestia 5711)

In Deuteronomy 7:15, this signifies the evils which assail people in faith separate from charity, and so in a life of evil. (Arcana Coelestia 8364)

In Matthew 4:24, disease or illness signifies various kinds of evils and falsities infesting the church and the human race, which if allowed to continue, would have induced spiritual death. (Arcana Coelestia 8364) 'Pestilence' denotes the vastation of good and truth.

(Reference: Arcana Coelestia 7102)

4492. 'All who went out of the gate of his city' means that they departed from the doctrine of the Church among the Ancients. This is clear from the meaning of 'going out' here as departing from, and from the meaning of 'the gate of the city' as doctrine, dealt with in 2943, 4477, here the doctrine of the Church among the Ancients, since it was the gate of 'his', that is, Shechem's, city. For 'Shechem' represents the truth of the Church among the Ancients, 4454, the phrase 'the Church among the Ancients' being used to mean that which descended from the Most Ancient Church, as also stated already. The implications of this will be evident from what follows next.