9953. And on his sons with him. That this signifies such a state there in the external things proceeding therefrom, is evident from the signification of “putting on,” as being to induce a state such as is represented by the garments (of which just above, n. 9952); here such a state as is represented by the garments of the sons of Aaron, which is a state of the external things that proceed from Divine truth in the spiritual kingdom; for by “sons,” and so also by their “garments,” is signified that which proceeds (according to what was said just above, n. 9950).

2451. And all the inhabitants of the cities. That this signifies that all goods were taken away from them, in order that they might have nothing but evils, is evident from the signification of “inhabitants,” when predicated of a city, as being goods; which may be confirmed by many things in the Word. The same is also evident from the fact that when a “city” signifies truth (as already shown), an “inhabitant” denotes good; for truth is that in which good dwells; and truth in which there is no good, is like a city empty, or without an inhabitant. Moreover as regards the fact that all goods are separated from the evil, so that they may have nothing but evils, see above (n. 2449).