9022. Dying he shall die, signifies damnation (as above, n. 9008, 9016, 9020). How the particulars in the internal sense cohere together, is evident from what has been said and shown. For the internal sense treats in a series of the denial, blaspheming, and profanation of the truth and good which are from the Lord. But in the external sense no such series appears, for in this sense various things are treated of; as those who smite a man so that he dies; those who kill a companion with deceit; those who smite father and mother; those who steal a man and sell him; and those who curse father and mother. Such is the Word in its particulars, namely, that in the internal sense things follow in order and as it were in a chain; although in the external sense, that is, in the sense of the letter, they are scattered, and in many places disconnected.

9017. Verses 16-17. And he that stealeth a man, and selleth him, and if he shall be found in his hand, dying he shall die. And he that curseth his father and his mother, dying he shall die. “And he that stealeth a man, and selleth him,” signifies the application of the truth of faith to evil, and alienation; “and he shall be found in his hand,” signifies nevertheless the acknowledgment of it; “dying he shall die,” signifies damnation; “and he that curseth his father and his mother,” signifies the denial in every possible way of the Lord and of His kingdom by those who are of the church, and thus profanation of the good and truth of the church; “dying he shall die,” signifies damnation.