The Bible

 

Jeremiah 50:23

Study

       

23 How is the hammer of the whole earth cut asunder and broken! how is Babylon become a desolation among the nations!

Commentary

 

Cut off name and remnant

  

In Isaiah 14:22, this signifies all truths (or falsities) from firsts to lasts. (Apocalypse Explained 724[34])

Commentary

 

Sword

  

A 'sword,' as in Ezekiel 21:9-15, signifies a person so desolated that he can see nothing good and true, but only falsities and contradictions. A 'sword,' in the Word, signifies the truth of faith combating and the vastation of truth. In an opposite sense, it signifies falsity combating and the punishment of falsity.

The 'sword,' in Revelation 1:16, represents a dispersion of falsities by the Lord because the sword came out from His mouth, which means it comes from the Word. Because the Word is understood by doctrine taken from it, this is also symbolically meant. It is called a sharp two-edged sword because it pierces the heart and soul.

A 'flaming sword which turned every way,' as in Genesis 3:24, signifies divine truth in extremes, which, like the Word in its literal sense, can be turned.

(References: Arcana Coelestia 2799)