3730. 'Though Luz was the name of the city previously' means the nature of the previous state. This is clear from the meaning of 'name' as the essential nature, dealt with immediately above in 3729, and from the meaning of 'the city' as doctrine that teaches the truth, dealt with in 402, 2268, 2449, 2712, 2943, 3216. In the original language 'Luz' means a moving back and so a severance, which takes place when doctrine that teaches the truth, or truth itself, is placed first and good is disregarded, and so when truth alone stands in the ultimate degree of order. But when truth together with good stands in the ultimate degree of order, no moving back or severance takes place but a coming and joining together. This is the nature of the state meant by 'Luz'.

3729. 'And he called the name of [that] place Bethel' means the nature of the state. This is clear from the meaning of 'name' and 'calling the name' as the essential nature, dealt with in 144, 145, 1754, 1896, 2009, 2724, 3006, 3421, and from the meaning of 'place' as state, dealt with in 2625, 2837, 3356, 3387. The nature of the state is what 'Bethel' means. In the original language Bethel means God's house, which is good as it exists in the ultimate degree of order, see 3720.