A "house" is essentially a container -- for a person, a family, several families or even a large group with shared interests (think of the term "houses of worship.") In the Bible, a "house" is also a container, but for spiritual things rather than natural things. In various uses a "house" can represent part of the mind, the whole mind, a whole person or even a church. The other nuance to the word "house" is that it is generally used in regards to our affections and desires rather than our thoughts and principles. This makes sense; we tend to engage our thoughts and rationality when we are out in the world doing our work, but when we are inside our houses we are driven most by love for our families and the desire to be good to those we love. So "house" tends to represent the things we want and care about -- which are ultimately the things that define us.

9076. 'If expiation has been imposed on him' means in order that he may be made free from damnation. This is clear from the meaning of 'expiation' as in order that he may be free from damnation. For acts of expiation were imposed on those who did not do evil on purpose or with guile. Those acts were various, and when one was performed it was called 'a redeeming of the soul', since life was redeemed by means of it. But those outward things were signs of inward ones; that is to say, 'an expiation' meant deliverance from damnation, and 'redeeming' consequently meant amendment of spiritual life through active repentance. Since 'expiation' meant deliverance from damnation, therefore it also meant being pardoned of sins, and so being cleansed.