8711. Men of truth, hating gain. That this signifies because the truths are pure without a worldly end, is evident from the signification of “men of truth,” as being pure truths; that “men of truth” denote pure truths is because by “men” are signified truths (see n. 3134, 5502), and by “truth,” faith (n. 3121), thus by “men of truth” are signified truths of faith, that is, pure truths; and from the signification of “hating gain,” as being aversion to persuasions from falsity and evil, for by “hating” is signified aversion, and by “gain,” the falsity and evil which persuade and draw away from truth and good. By “gain” in general is signified all the falsity from evil that perverts the judgments of the mind; and as this is the case with those who have the world as their end, therefore by “those who hate gain” are also signified those who are without a worldly end. That “gain” denotes all the falsity from evil which perverts the judgments of the mind and withdraws from truth and good, can be seen by everyone who reflects, and in this sense “gain” is frequently mentioned in the Word (as in Isaiah 33:15; 56:11; 57:17; in Jeremiah 6:13; 8:10; 22:17; and in Ezekiel 22:27; 33:31; in David also, Psalms 119:36).

3134. Saying, Thus spoke the man unto me. That this signifies the inclination of truth in the natural man, is in like manner evident from the affection in these words, and also from what the man, or Abraham’s servant, spoke to Rebekah; from which it is evident that it is the inclination that is signified; and also from the signification of a “man” as being truth (see n. 265, 749, 1007), here truth in the natural man from the Divine-because the man is here Abraham’s elder servant, by whom is signified the natural man (as may be seen above, n. 3019). In the Word, especially the prophetic, the word “man” [vir] often occurs; as “man and wife,” “man and woman,” “man and inhabitant,” also “man [vir] and man [homo]”; and in such places by “man” [vir] in the internal sense is signified that which is of the understanding, which is truth; and by “wife,” “woman,” “inhabitant,” and “man” [homo], that which is of the will, which is good. As in Isaiah:

I see, and there is no man; even among them, and there is no counselor (Isaiah 41:28);

“no man” denotes no one intelligent, thus no truth. Again:

I came, and there was no man; I called, and there was none to answer (Isaiah 50:2).

The meaning here being the same.

[2] Again:

Truth hath stumbled in the street, and uprightness cannot enter; and truth hath been taken away; and he that departeth from evil is mad. And Jehovah saw, and it was evil in His eyes that there was no judgment, and no man, and He was amazed (Isaiah 59:14-16).

“No man” plainly means no one intelligent, and thus in the universal sense no truth. It here treats of the last time of the church, when there is no longer any truth; and it is therefore said, “truth hath stumbled in the street, uprightness cannot enter, truth hath been taken away.” (That “street” also is predicated of truth, may be seen above, n. 2336; and “judgment” also, n. 2235.) In Jeremiah:

Run ye to and fro through the streets of Jerusalem, and see now, and know, and seek in the broad places thereof, if ye can find a man, if there be any that doeth judgment, that seeketh truth (Jeremiah 5:1).

Here a “man” evidently denotes one who is intelligent; and also truth.

In Zephaniah:

I will make their streets desolate, that none passeth by; their cities shall be devastated, so that there shall be no man; that there shall be no inhabitant (Zeph. 3:6).

“No man” denotes no truth; “no inhabitant,” no good (see above, n. 2268, 2451, 2712, and many other places).