1324. That 'Jehovah scattered them over the face ¹ of the whole earth' means that they were not acknowledged is clear from what has been stated already at verse 4 where the same words occur.

[1324a] That 'they left off building the city' means that such doctrine was not received is clear from the meaning of 'a city' as doctrine, as shown already in 402, and also from what has been stated above at verses 4-5, about building a city and a tower. These considerations show that such doctrine or worship which inwardly contains love of self, that is, worship of self, was not allowed with this Ancient Church, and the reason is given in the very next verse.

Fusnotat: