3730. But the name of the city was Luz at the first. That this signifies the quality of the former state, is evident from the signification of “name,” as being the quality (see just above, n. 3729); and from the signification of “city,” as being that which is doctrinal of truth (n. 402, 2268, 2449, 2712, 2943, 3216). In the original tongue “Luz” means “recession,” thus disjunction, which comes to pass when that which is doctrinal of truth, or truth itself, is put in the first place, and good is neglected; thus when truth alone is in the ultimate of order. But when truth is together with good in the ultimate of order, there is then no recession or disjunction, but accession or conjunction; and this is the quality of the state which is signified by “Luz.”

3729. And he called the name of that place Bethel. That this signifies the quality of the state, is evident from the signification of “name” and of “calling a name,” as being the quality (n. 144, 145, 1754, 1896, 2009, 2724, 3006, 3421); and from the signification of “place,” as being state (n. 2625, 2837, 3356, 3387). The quality of the state is that which is signified by “Bethel.” In the original tongue “Bethel” means the “house of God;” and that this is good in the ultimate of order, may be seen above (n. 3720).