The Bible

 

Ezekiel 28:23

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23 And I will send into her pestilence, and blood in her streets: and they shall fall being slain by the sword on all sides in the midst thereof: and they shall know that I am the Lord.

Commentary

 

Pestilence

  

In 2 Kings 1:2; Psalm 38:7; Exodus 15:26; Luke 6:17, this signifies temptations, and corresponds with the state of the man's spirit. (Arcana Coelestia 5711)

In Deuteronomy 7:15, this signifies the evils which assail people in faith separate from charity, and so in a life of evil. (Arcana Coelestia 8364)

In Matthew 4:24, disease or illness signifies various kinds of evils and falsities infesting the church and the human race, which if allowed to continue, would have induced spiritual death. (Arcana Coelestia 8364) 'Pestilence' denotes the vastation of good and truth.

(References: Arcana Coelestia 7102)

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)