10488. 'Put everyone his sword on [his] thigh' means truth springing from good engaged in conflict against falsity arising from evil. This is clear from the meaning of 'sword' as truth engaged in conflict against falsity, dealt with in 2799, 8294; and from the meaning of 'the thigh' as the good of love, dealt with in 3021, 4277, 4280, 5050-5062, 9961. The words 'sword on the thigh' are used because truth that is engaged in conflict against falsity and evil and is overcoming them must spring from good. All the power truth possesses is derived from it. Without good truth is not even truth, for it is no more than lifeless factual knowledge; consequently truth without good possesses no power at all. By truth springing from good a life in keeping with truth should be understood, for good is connected with life. From this it is evident why it says that the sword was to be put on the thigh, as also in David where what is said refers to the Lord,

Gird Your sword on Your thigh, O Hero, in Your glory and Your honour! Psalms 45:3.

8294. 'I will unsheathe the sword' means unceasing conflict on the part of falsity arising from evil. This is clear from the meaning of 'the sword' as truth engaged in conflict against falsity and evil, and in the contrary sense as falsity engaged in conflict against truth and good, dealt with in 2799, 4499; and from the meaning of 'unsheathing', or baring it, as unceasing conflict until the enemy has been laid low. Unceasing conflict is likewise meant by an unsheathed or drawn sword in Moses, I will scatter you among the nations, and unsheathe a sword after you. Leviticus 26:33.

In Ezekiel,

I will scatter to every wind all his troop; and I will unsheathe the sword after them. Ezekiel 12:14.

In the same prophet,

Thus said Jehovah, Behold Me against you; I will draw my sword out of its sheath, and will cut off from you the righteous and the wicked. My sword will go out of its sheath against all flesh from south to north; so that all flesh may know that I Jehovah have drawn My sword out of its sheath, and it is not going to return any more. Ezekiel 21:3-5.

Here 'unsheathing' or 'drawing the sword' stands for not ceasing to engage in conflict until enemies have been laid low, and so stands for unceasing conflict. Unceasing conflict against evils and falsities is also meant by the unsheathed sword of the Prince of the army of Jehovah whom Joshua saw when he entered the land of Canaan, Joshua 5:13. It was a sign to them that they were to fight the nations there and to destroy them. By 'the nations' in possession of the land of Canaan at that time are meant those who before the Lord's Coming occupied the region of heaven which was subsequently given to members of the Lord's spiritual kingdom, 6914, 8054.