1177. He was a mighty one in the earth. That this signifies that such a religion prevailed in the church, may be seen from what presently follows. That the “earth” is the church has been shown before n. 620, 636, 662, and elsewhere).

621. That the earth is said to be “corrupt” on account of their dreadful persuasions, and “filled with violence” because of their foul cupidities, is evident from the signification of the verb to “corrupt” and of the word “violence.” In the Word one term is never taken for another, but uniformly that word is employed which fitly expresses the thing of which it is predicated; and this so exactly that from the words alone which are used, what is in the internal sense at once appears, as here from the words “corrupt” and “violence.” “Corrupt” is predicated of the things of the understanding when it is desolated; “violence” of the things of the will, when vastated. Thus “to corrupt” is predicated of persuasions; and “violence” of cupidities.