521. And many men died of the waters.- This signifies that all who were of such a character perished by means of the falsities into which the truths of the Word were changed, is evident from the signification of many in the Word, which are all who are of such a nature and from the signification of dying, as denoting to perish as to spiritual life, and to be damned (concerning this see n. 78, 186, 383, 487); and from the signification of waters, as denoting falsities, in this case the falsities of evil, because they became wormwood. For all spiritual life, which is also called life in the Word, and life eternal, comes to man by means of truths, and all spiritual death, which is damnation, comes upon him through the falsities of evil, and especially the falsities of evil, into which he converts the truths of the Word. The meaning of many men died of the waters, because they were made bitter, is therefore evident from these things.