7162. To put a sword into their hand to slay us. That this signifies that hence they have so great an ardor to destroy the truths of the church by means of falsities, is evident from the signification of a "sword," as being falsity combating and vastating (see n. 2799, 6353, 7102); and from the signification of "slaying," as being to destroy the things of faith and charity n. 6767). The things of faith and charity are signified by the "sons of Israel," of whom it is said that they should be "slain;" for the essentials of the spiritual church, which is signified by the "sons of Israel" (n. 6637), are charity and faith.