6549. 'Which Abraham had bought with the field' means those whom the Lord had redeemed. This is clear from the meaning of 'buying' as redemption, dealt with in 6458, 6461; from the representation of 'Abraham' as the Lord, dealt with in 1965, 1989, 2011, 2172, 2198, 3245, 3305 (end), 3439; 3703, 4615, 6098, 6185, 6276; and from the meaning of 'the field' as the Church, dealt with in 2971, 3766. From all this it is evident that 'which Abraham had bought with the field' means those belonging to the Church, whom the Lord had redeemed.

2971. 'The field and the cave which was in it' means as regards the good and truth of faith. This is clear from the meaning of 'the field' as the Church and also good itself which constitutes the Church (that which is celestial - or good that stems from love to the Lord and charity towards the neighbour - is compared to 'the ground' as well as to the field, and is actually called these, because that which is celestial - or good - is the recipient of the truths of faith; and these truths are compared to and are also actually called 'seeds'); and from the meaning of 'a cave' as the truth of faith which is enveloped in obscurity, dealt with in 2935. It is said to be in obscurity because it is with spiritual people, see 1043, 2708, 2715.