4393. And Jacob came to Shalem, a city of Shechem. That this signifies the interior truths of faith which are of tranquillity, is evident from the signification of "Shalem," as being the tranquillity of peace (see below); and from the signification of a "city of Shechem," as being interior truths of faith (concerning which in the following chapter, where Shechem and his city are treated of). (That a "city" denotes truth in faith, may be seen n. 402, 2268, 2449, 2451, 2712, 2943, 3216.) That "Shalem" signifies the tranquillity of peace, may be seen in David:
In Judah is God known, His name is great in Israel; in Shalem also is His tent, and His dwelling place in Zion; there brake He the live coals of the bow, the shield, and the sword, and the war (Ps. 76:1-3);
where it is evident that "Shalem" denotes the tranquillity of peace, for it is said that "He there brake the live coals of the bow, the shield, and the sword, and the war;" and also from its signification in the original language, for "Shalem" means tranquillity and perfection. (What the tranquillity of peace is, may be seen, n. 1726, 3696.) In this peace there are interior truths; that is, those who are in interior truths in faith and in life. But so long as men are in exterior truths, and especially when they are coming from exterior into interior truths, the state is then untranquil, for then there are temptation combats. The same is also here represented by Jacob, in that after he had been in fear and anxiety on account of Esau, he had now arrived at a state of tranquillity.
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