Generally in the Bible a "country" means a political subdivision ruled by a king, or sometimes a tribe with a territory ruled by a king or chieftain. Others are what we now call city-states, with surrounding farm areas. In almost all cases these countries were far smaller than our modern idea of countries, though Egypt and Assyria would be exceptions. Sometimes the word is used to refer to countryside, a wide area with no consideration of boundaries as when the twelve Israelites were sent to spy out the country.

(References: Arcana Coelestia 3816 [3], 6818, 6820, 6821; Charity 83, 85; True Christian Religion 305)

In Exodus 28:33, this signifies the outermost where man's natural is. In the inmost heavens goods and truths are celestial, in the middle they are spiritual, and in the outermosts, or borders, natural. (Arcana Coelestia 9917)

In Lamentations 1:9, this signifies sinful deeds and works. (Arcana Coelestia 9917[4])

In Nahum 3:5, this signifies removing outward things so that the inward feelings and motives may be seen that include hatred, revenge, and adultery. (Arcana Coelestia 9917[5])

In Jeremiah 13:22, this signifies external truths, and heels outermost goods. (Arcana Coelestia 3540)