4499. Took each his sword. That this signifies falsity and evil, is evident from the signification of a “sword,” as being truth combating, and hence the defence of truth; and in the opposite sense, falsity combating, and hence the vastation of truth (see n. 2799). That “sword” here signifies evil also, is because Leviticus also was involved, by whom charity, thus good, was represented; and when this becomes evil it combats by falsity from evil, and what it then does is evil.