The Bible generally uses two different terms for large groups: “people” and “nations.” When it uses “nation,” it is talking about a group with the desire for good as its ultimate underlying motivation; when it uses the term “people” it is talking about a group whose deep motivation is to seek true ideas and concepts. As with all symbolism in the Bible, this can be also used in a negative sense, to describe groups with the lust for evil or those driven by false concepts. It can also be used in the abstract, with “nation” representing desires for good themselves and “people” representing true ideas themselves. In a way, these meanings make sense if we look at the two words themselves. “People” brings to mind a collection of individuals, and that is somewhat how it is with ideas -- you can have many of them that inter-relate, but also stand somewhat on their own, individually. “Nation” is a more unified term, reflecting the way that a desire for good tends to unify other feelings.

'Word,' as in Isaiah 9:8, signifies the doctrine of internal and external worship. 'Word,' as in Psalms 119:6-17, stands for doctrine in general.

'The Word,' as in Psalms 147:18, signifies divine good united with divine truth.

The whole Word is nothing but the doctrine of love towards the Lord, and love towards our neighbor, as in Matthew 22.

(Referencat: Arcana Coelestia 1288)