2459. Lot went up out of Zoar. That this signifies when they were no longer in the affection of truth, is evident from the signification of “Zoar,” as being the affection of truth (see n. 2439); and as there follows the statement that “he dwelt in the mountain because he feared to dwell in Zoar,” the signification is “when they were no longer in the affection of truth,” and this because all the good of truth had been vastated, as is evident from verse 26. In this verse therefore there is described the fifth state of the church which was represented by Lot, which state was that after there was no longer any affection of truth, a kind of impure good, or good of falsity, infused itself.

2439. Therefore he called the name of the city Zoar. That this signifies the affection of truth, is evident from the signification of Zoar,” as being the affection of good, namely, of the good of knowledge, that is, the affection of truth (see n. 1589); and from the signification of “calling a name,” as being to know the quality (see n. 144, 145, 1754, 2009); here that there was a little truth, for in the original language “Zoar” means “little,” or “small.” In comparison with those who are in the affection of good, they who are in the affection of truth have little truth because they have little good (see above, n. 2429).

[2] Moreover that truths which are in themselves truths are with one person more true, with another less true, and with some not true at all, and even false, is evident from almost all things which in themselves are true; for they are varied in the man with whom they are, in accordance with his affections. For example, the doing of a good work or a good of charity: in itself it is a truth that this is to be done; and with one person it is a good of charity, because it proceeds from charity; with another it is a work of obedience, because it proceeds from obedience; with some it is work of self-merit, because by it they desire to merit and to obtain salvation; but with others it is hypocritical, being done in order that they may seem charitable; and so on. It is the same with all other things that are called truths of faith. And this shows that there is much truth with those who are in the affection of good, and less truth with those who are in the affection of truth; for the latter regard good as being more remote from themselves, whereas the former regard good as being present in themselves.