10504. And now, if Thou wilt forgive their sin. That this signifies that nevertheless this turning away from the Divine will not hinder, is evident from the signification of “sin,” as being a turning away from the Divine (as above, n. 10498, 10502); and from the signification of “forgiving” it, as being nevertheless not to hinder the internal things of the Word, of the church, and of worship, from being raised from their externals, thus effecting communication with the heavens. For when this communication is nevertheless effected, the turning away is not attended to, and that which is not attended to is said to be “forgiven.”

10502. And said, I beseech Thee, this people hath sinned a great sin. That this signifies that although this nation has completely turned away and removed itself from the Divine, is evident from the signification of “sinning a great sin,” as being to completely turn away and estrange itself from the Divine (see above, n. 10498). It is said “although it has turned itself away” for the sake of the connection of the subject in the internal sense, for those who are in this sense do not attend to the letter, but to the sense of the things in their order.