2347. 'They surrounded the house' means that they were set against the good that flows from charity. This is clear from the meaning of 'a house' as celestial good, which is nothing else than good flowing from love and charity, dealt with in 2048, 2233, and also from the meaning of 'surrounding' as being opposed to that good, that is, approaching it with hostile intent and attacking it.

2233. That 'house' means people governed by goods is clear from the meaning of 'house' as good, dealt with in 710, 1708, 2048. In a similar way 'house', or those born in the house, means in the abstract sense goods, but when used in reference to man it is all who are governed by goods.