624. Verse 5. And in their mouth was found no deceit, signifies that they do not, from cunning and design, speak and persuade to falsity and evil. By "the mouth" is signified speech, preaching, and doctrine (n. 452), and by "deceit" is signified persuasion to evil by falsity, properly from cunning and design; for he who persuades to anything from cunning or deceit also persuades from design; for cunning or deceit proposes something to itself, conceals its purpose, and does it when opportunity offers. By a "lie," in the Word, is signified falsity and false speaking; by "deceit" is signified both from design; as in the following passages:
Jesus said of Nathanael, Behold, an Israelite indeed, in whom is no deceit (John 1:47). The remnant of Israel shall not speak a lie, neither shall a deceitful tongue be found in their mouth (Zeph. 3:13). He did no violence, neither was deceit in His mouth (Isa. 53:9). For the rich men are filled with violence, and the inhabitants speak a lie, and their tongue is deceitful in their mouth (Micah 6:12). Thou shalt destroy them that speak a lie, Jehovah will abhor a man of blood and deceit (Ps. 5:6). Deliver my soul, O Jehovah, from lying lips and a tongue of deceit (Ps. 120:2-3). They have taught their tongue to speak a lie, thine habitation is in the midst of deceit; through deceit they refuse to know Me (Jer. 9:5). Ephraim hath encompassed Me with a lie, and the house of Israel with deceit (Hos. 11:12). If anyone had a design to kill his companion with deceit, thou shalt take him from Mine altar and he shall die (Exod. 21:14). Cursed be he that doeth the work of Jehovah with deceit (Jer. 48:10). Besides other passages as (Jer. 5:26-27; 8:5; 14:14; 23:26; Hos. 7:16; Zeph. 1:9; Ps. 17:1; 24:4; 35:20, 21; 36:3; 50:19; 52:2, 4; 72:14; 109:2; 119:118; Job 13:7; 27:4). The deceitful are signified in the Word by poisonous "serpents," and by "crocodiles" and "vipers," and deceit is signified by their "poison."
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