3377. is separated or hidden away apart, differently than was the case with the people before the flood. For mankind is composed of nothing but offenses, see earlier [338]. This was an almost continuous offense with those before the flood. With the descendents after the flood it was made by the Lord disconnected, so to speak, which could never have been possible unless the offenses remained with mankind. So even the Lord became to them a [rock of] offense, as mentioned here and there in the Word [Rom. 9:32-3, 1 Cor. 1:23, Gal. 5:11, 1 Pet. 2:8]. Therefore also He suffered, and was crucified, so that the offenses would remain, for no otherwise could such a continuous offense be rendered disconnected and mankind thus be saved by the implanting of knowledge and understanding, so that then the offenses would not appear. 1748, 26, 27 Sept.