2428. 'Behold now, this city is near to flee to it' means that he would be allowed [to think and act] from the truth of faith. This is clear from the meaning of 'a city' as doctrinal teaching, and so the truth of faith, dealt with in 402, 2268. It is said to be 'near' because truth is closely related to good. Consequently 'to flee to it' means that he would be allowed to do so from that truth because he would be unable to do so from good, 2422.

2268. 'Will You for five destroy the whole city?' means, Will mankind perish for the small amount that is lacking? This is clear from the meaning of 'five' as small, referred to immediately above, and from the meaning of 'a city' as truth, also dealt with already. The human mind as regards truths is in the Word compared to and also called 'a city', and as regards the goods that are present within truths is there compared to and also called 'the inhabitants'. For a similarity indeed exists, in that if the truths in a person's two memories ¹ and in the thoughts of his mind are devoid of goods, they are like a city that has no residents and so is vacant and empty. Indeed it can also be said of angels that they dwell so to speak in a person's truths and implant affections for good from the Lord when that person leads a life abiding in love to the Lord and in charity towards the neighbour, for they are delighted so to dwell, that is, to live, with such persons. It is different in the case of those with whom some truths exist but no goods that flow from charity.

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