3730. 'Though Luz was the name of the city previously' means the nature of the previous state. This is clear from the meaning of 'name' as the essential nature, dealt with immediately above in 3729, and from the meaning of 'the city' as doctrine that teaches the truth, dealt with in 402, 2268, 2449, 2712, 2943, 3216. In the original language 'Luz' means a moving back and so a severance, which takes place when doctrine that teaches the truth, or truth itself, is placed first and good is disregarded, and so when truth alone stands in the ultimate degree of order. But when truth together with good stands in the ultimate degree of order, no moving back or severance takes place but a coming and joining together. This is the nature of the state meant by 'Luz'.

2268. 'Will You for five destroy the whole city?' means, Will mankind perish for the small amount that is lacking? This is clear from the meaning of 'five' as small, referred to immediately above, and from the meaning of 'a city' as truth, also dealt with already. The human mind as regards truths is in the Word compared to and also called 'a city', and as regards the goods that are present within truths is there compared to and also called 'the inhabitants'. For a similarity indeed exists, in that if the truths in a person's two memories ¹ and in the thoughts of his mind are devoid of goods, they are like a city that has no residents and so is vacant and empty. Indeed it can also be said of angels that they dwell so to speak in a person's truths and implant affections for good from the Lord when that person leads a life abiding in love to the Lord and in charity towards the neighbour, for they are delighted so to dwell, that is, to live, with such persons. It is different in the case of those with whom some truths exist but no goods that flow from charity.

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