AC 2943 - Cities and Gates

AC 2943

Of all that went in at the gate of his city, saying.
(Genesis 23: 10)

That this signifies as to the doctrinal things
through which there is faith,
is evident from the signification of "gate,"
as being entrance,
thus that which introduces
(in like manner as "door,";)
and from the signification of "city,"
as being the truth of faith.
Cities in the Ancient Church were not like
the cities of later times and of the present day,
that is, assemblages and gatherings of people;
but they were the dwelling together
of separate families.
The family of one parent constituted a city,
as for instance the city of Nahor
(to which Abraham's servant came
when he was to betroth Rebekah to Isaac)
was Nahor's family which was there;
and Shalem, the city of Shechem
(to which Jacob came
when he journeyed from Paddan-aram, )
was the family of Hamor and Shechem,
which was there;
and so with the other cities of that time.

[2] And as they had learned
from the most ancient people
that nations and families
represented the heavenly societies,
and thus the things of love and charity,
so when a "city" is mentioned instead of a family,
and "people" instead of nation,
truth is signified which is of faith.
So also the "city of God" and the "holy city,"
in the genuine sense signify faith in the Lord;
and as a walled town or city signified faith,
the "gate" of the city signified doctrinal things,
because these introduce to faith.
This in the representative Jewish Church
was also signified by the judges and the elders
sitting in the gate of the city and judging there . . ..