428. 'And their torment was as the torment of a scorpion when it stings a man' signifies that this results from their persuasiveness. This follows from the things now stated (n. 427); for by the 'torment' is signified the stupefaction that their persuasiveness induces on the understanding, just as the scorpion induces stupefaction on the body when it stings. 'A scorpion' signifies that persuasiveness (n. 425). In the spiritual world there exists a persuasiveness that takes away the understanding of what is true and induces stupefaction and thus anguish of mind, but this persuasiveness is unknown in the natural world.