9156. Upon every word of transgression. That this signifies whatsoever injury and whatsoever loss, is evident from the signification of "transgression," as being everything that is contrary to the truth of faith, thus that injures or extinguishes it, consequently all injury and loss thereof whatsoever. In the Word, evils are sometimes called "sins," sometimes "iniquities," and sometimes "transgressions;" but what is meant specifically by these several terms is not clear except from the internal sense. Those evils are called "transgressions" which are done contrary to the truths of faith; those are called "iniquities," which are done contrary to the goods of faith; and those are called "sins," which are done contrary to the goods of charity and of love. The first two proceed from a perverted understanding, but the last from a depraved will. As in David:
Wash me from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin; for I acknowledge my transgressions, and my sin is ever before me (Ps. 51:2, 3);
"iniquity" denotes evil contrary to the goods of faith; "sin," evil contrary to the goods of charity and love; and "transgressions," evil contrary to the truths of faith. As the latter is evil proceeding from a perverted understanding, and thus is known from the truths of faith, it is said, "I acknowledge my transgressions." [2] Again:
Remember, O Jehovah, Thy mercies, and Thy compassions; remember not the sins of my youth, and my transgressions (Ps. 25:6-7);
sins" denote evils from a depraved will; and "transgressions," evils from a perverted understanding. In Isaiah:
Behold for iniquities were ye sold, and for transgressions was your mother put away (Isa. 50:1);
"iniquities" denote evils contrary to goods, and "transgressions," evils contrary to the truths of faith of the church; the "mother" denotes the church, which is said to be "put away" when it departs from faith. In Micah:
For the transgression of Jacob is all this, and for the sin of the house of Israel. What is the transgression of Jacob? Is it not Samaria? She was the beginning of sin to the daughter of Zion; for the transgressions of Israel were found in thee (Micah 1:5, 13);
here in like manner "sin" denotes what is contrary to the good of charity and love; and "transgression" what is contrary to the truth of faith; for "Samaria" denotes the church of perverted faith, and so does "Israel" in this passage. [3] As "transgressions" denote evils that are contrary to the truths of faith, they are also "trespasses" and "revolts," which moreover, in the original tongue are signified by the same expression, as is evident in David:
For the multitude of their transgressions thrust out those who rebel against Thee (Ps. 5:10);
"to rebel" is said when there are both revolt and trespass. And in Isaiah:
Are ye not children of transgression, the seed of a lie; who have heated yourselves with gods under every green tree; who slay the children in the rivers? (Isa. 57:4-5). That "transgression" denotes evil contrary to the truths of faith is very evident from these passages, for the "children of transgression" denote the falsities which destroy the truths of faith; and therefore they are also called "the seed of a lie," for "a lie" denotes falsity (n. 8908); and therefore it is said of them that they "heat themselves with gods under every green tree," by which in the internal sense is meant worship from falsities; for "gods" denote falsities (n. 4402, 4544, 7873, 8867); and a "green tree," the perception of falsity from a perverted understanding (n. 2722, 4552); and therefore it is also said "ye slay the children in the rivers," by which is meant the extinction of the truths of faith by means of falsities; for "to slay" denotes to extinguish; "children" or "sons" denote the truths of faith (n. 489, 491, 533, 1147, 2623, 2813, 3373); and "rivers" denote falsities (n. 6693).
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