10641. 'Lest by chance it become a snare in your midst' means consequently being led astray in the Word itself. This is clear from the meaning of 'becoming a snare' as being held captive and led astray by one's own evil and falsity, dealt with in 7653, 9348; and from the representation of 'Moses' as the Word, dealt with in the places referred to in 9372, so that 'in his midst' means in the Word itself. The implications of this are clear from what has been stated immediately above in 10640.

2971. 'The field and the cave which was in it' means as regards the good and truth of faith. This is clear from the meaning of 'the field' as the Church and also good itself which constitutes the Church (that which is celestial - or good that stems from love to the Lord and charity towards the neighbour - is compared to 'the ground' as well as to the field, and is actually called these, because that which is celestial - or good - is the recipient of the truths of faith; and these truths are compared to and are also actually called 'seeds'); and from the meaning of 'a cave' as the truth of faith which is enveloped in obscurity, dealt with in 2935. It is said to be in obscurity because it is with spiritual people, see 1043, 2708, 2715.