2913、“对赫的儿子们说话，说”表示那些一个新的属灵教会即将在其中的人，这从“赫”和“赫人”的含义清楚可知。迦南地有许多居民，他们在圣言的各处被一一列出来，其中就有赫人（参看创世记15:20；出埃及记3:8， 17；13:5；23:23；申命记7:1；20:17；约书亚记3:10；11:1， 3；12:8；24:11；列王纪上9:20；以及其它地方）。这些居民大部分来自古教会，古教会遍及许多地方，包括迦南地（参看1238， 2385节）。凡属于古教会的人都承认仁爱是首要或最重要的事物，他们的一切教义都与仁爱或生活有关。那些精心培育、制作信之教义的人被称为“迦南人”，并与迦南地的其他居民分开（民数记13:29；参看1062-1063， 1076节）。
在迦南地的居民当中，赫人算是比较好的。这一点从以下事实清楚看出来，即：亚伯拉罕住在他们中间，后来以撒和雅各也住在他们中间，并在那里获得他们的埋葬地；他们对待亚伯拉罕极为敬重，彬彬有礼，这从本章（尤其23:5-6， 10-11， 14-15）对他们的记载很清楚地看出来。赫人是一个正直的民族，所以代表并表示属灵教会或该教会的真理。但随着时间推移，和属于古教会的其他所有人一样，他们从仁爱或信之良善中衰退了；这解释了为何后来他们表示教会的虚假（如以西结书16:3， 45等）。然而，赫人仍是更尊贵的民族之一，这从以下事实明显看出来，即：有赫人与大卫在一起，如亚比米勒（撒母耳记上26:6）， 还有赫人乌利亚（撒母耳记下11:3， 6， 17， 21），他的妻子就是给大卫生所罗门的拔示巴（撒母耳记下12:24）。“赫”表示与生活有关的表面知识或外在认知，这些知识或认知构成属灵教会的外在真理（参看1203节）。
本节经文论述的主题是当前教会逝去时，主重新建立的新教会；接下来的几节经文论述的主题是在这些人当中，对信的接受。所论述的主题不是赫的儿子们当中的某个具体教会，而是在前教会逝去，或走到尽头后，主总体上对属灵教会的兴起。赫的儿子们只是那些代表并表示这个教会的人。关于这些教会，请参看前面的阐述，即：随着时间推移，一个教会逐渐萎缩并被玷污（494， 501， 1327， 2422节）。它远离仁爱，并制造邪恶和虚假（1834， 1835节）；那时，可以说教会被荒废，变得荒凉（407-411， 2243节）。一个教会在外邦人当中重新建立，为什么（1366节）。在一个正在被摧毁的教会中，教会的某种东西总是作为核心被保存下来（468， 637， 931， 2422节）。除非世上有一个教会，否则人类必灭亡（468， 637， 931， 2422节）。教会在大身体，也就是人类中如同心和肺（637， 931， 2054， 2853节）。属灵教会的性质（765， 2669节）。构成教会的是仁，而非与仁分离之信（809， 916节）。如果所有人都拥有仁爱，那么教会必为一，即便他们拥有不同的教义事物和不同的敬拜形式（1285， 1316， 1798， 1799， 1834， 1844， 2385节）。地上所有属于主教会的人虽分散在世界各地，但可以说仍构成一个整体，如在天上那样（2853节）。每个教会都有一个内在和一个外在，两者一起构成一个教会（409， 1083， 1098， 1100， 1242节）。如果没有内在教会，外在教会什么都不是（1795节）。教会被比作日升日落，还被比作一年四季和一日四时（1837节）。最后的审判就是教会的末期（900， 931， 1850， 2117， 2118节）。
Potts(1905-1910) 2913
2913. And spoke unto the sons of Heth, saying. That this signifies those with whom there was to be a new spiritual church, is evident from the signification of "Heth," and of the "Hittites." There were many inhabitants of the land of Canaan, who are enumerated in various places in the Word, and among them the Hittites (see Gen. 15:20; Exod. 3:8, 17; 13:5; 23:23; Deut. 7:1; 20:17; Josh. 3:10; 11:1, 3; 12:8; 24:11; 1 Kings 9:20; and other places). Most of these were from the Ancient Church (that this extended through many lands, and likewise through the land of Canaan, may be seen above, n. 1238, 2385). All who were of that church acknowledged charity as the principal, and all their doctrinal things were of charity or of life. Those who elaborated doctrinal things of faith were called "Canaanites," and were separated from the other inhabitants of the land of Canaan (Num. 13:29; see n. 1062-1063, 1076). [2] Among the better inhabitants of the land of Canaan were the Hittites, as is evident from the fact that Abraham dwelt among them, and afterwards Isaac and Jacob, and had their burial place there; also from their bearing themselves piously and modestly toward Abraham, as is very plain from what is related of them in this chapter (particularly in verses 5-6, 10-11, 14-15). And thus by the Hittites, as by a well-disposed nation, is represented and signified the spiritual church, or the truth of the church. But with these, as with the rest of the Ancient church, it came to pass that in course of time they declined from charity or the good of faith; and consequently the falsity of the church is afterwards signified by them (as in Ezek. 16:3, 45, and other places). That still the Hittites were among the more honored, is evident from the fact that there were Hittites with David, as Abimelech (1 Sam. 26:6), and Uriah, who was a Hittite (2 Sam. 11:3, 6, 17, 21), whose wife was Bathsheba, of whom Solomon was born to David (2 Sam. 12:24). (That "Heth" signifies the more external knowledges regarding life, which are the external truths of the spiritual church, may be seen above, n. 1203.) [3] This verse treats of the new church that the Lord sets up anew when the former church expires; and the verses that follow treat of the reception of faith with them. A church among the sons of Heth is not treated of; but the raising up by the Lord of the spiritual church in general, after the former ceases or is consummated; the sons of Heth are merely those who represent and signify this. See what has been said above concerning churches, namely: That in process of time a church decreases and is contaminated (n. 494, 501, 1327, 2422): That it recedes from charity, and produces evils and falsities (n. 1834, 1835): That then the church is said to be laid waste and desolate (n. 407-411, 2243): That a church is set up anew with the Gentiles, and why (n. 1366). That in the church which is being vastated, there is always preserved something of the church as a nucleus (n. 468, 637, 931, 2422): That unless there were a church on earth, the human race would perish (n. 468, 637, 931, 2422): That the church is as the heart and lungs in the grand body, that is, in the human race (n. 637, 931, 2054, 2853): The quality of the spiritual church (n. 765, 2669): That charity constitutes the church, not faith separate (n. 809, 916): That if all had charity, the church would be one, although they should differ as to doctrinal things and worship (n. 1285, 1316, 1798, 1799, 1834, 1844, 2385): That all men on earth who are in the Lord's church, though scattered through the world, still as it were make a one, as in the heavens (n. 2853): That every church is internal and external, and both together constitute one church (n. 409, 1083, 1098, 1100, 1242): That the external church is nothing, if there is no internal church (n. 1795): That the church is compared to the rising and the setting of the sun, also to the seasons of the year, and the times of the day (n. 1837): That the Last Judgment is the last time of the church (n. 900, 931, 1850, 2117, 2118).
Elliott(1983-1999) 2913
2913. 'And spoke to the sons of Heth, saying' means those with whom a new spiritual Church was to exist. This becomes clear from the meaning of 'Heth' and of Hittite. Many were the nations inhabiting the land of Canaan who are mentioned one by one in various places in the Word, among them the Hittites, see Gen 15:20; Exod 3:8, 17; 13:5; 23:23; Deut 7:1; 20:17; Josh 3:10; 11:1, 3; 12:8; 24:11; 1 Kings 9:20; and elsewhere. Most of them belonged to the Ancient Church which was spread through many lands, including the land of Canaan, see 1238, 2385. All who belonged to that Church acknowledged charity as the chief thing, and everything they taught was about charity or life. People who cultivated teachings about faith were called Canaanites and were separate from the rest of the inhabitants in the land of Canaan, Num. 13:29 - see 1062, 1063, 1076.
[2] The Hittites belonged among those in the land of Canaan who were more acceptable. This is also made clear by the fact that Abraham, and subsequently Isaac and Jacob, dwelt among them and had a burial-place there, and also by the fact that they treated Abraham with greatest respect, as is quite clear from what is recorded about them in this chapter, especially verses 5, 6,10, 11, 14, 15. Since they were an upright nation they therefore represent and mean the spiritual Church, or the truth of the Church. But it happened that like all the others who belonged to the Ancient Church the Hittites fell away in the course of time from charity or good that goes with faith; and this explains why later on they mean the falsity of the Church, as in Ezek. 16:3, 45, and elsewhere. Yet the Hittites did belong among those who were more honourable, as may be seen from the fact that David had Hittites with him, such as Ahimelech, 1 Sam. 26:6, and Uriah, who was a Hittite, 2 Sam. 11:3, 6, 17, 21 - by whose wife Bathsheba David begot Solomon, 2 Sam. 12:24. 'Heth' means exterior cognitions that have regard to life and which constitute the external truths of the spiritual Church,a see 1203.
[3] The subject in the present verse is a new Church which the Lord establishes when the previous one breathes its last, and in the verses which follow the subject is the reception of faith among those people. The subject is not some particular Church among the sons of Heth but in general the re-establishment by the Lord of a spiritual Church after its predecessor fades away and approaches its end. The sons of Heth are simply those who represent and carry a spiritual meaning. Please see what has been stated already about Churches in the following places:
In course of time a Church goes into decline and decay, 494, 501, 1327, 2422. It departs from charity, and brings forth evils and falsities, 1834, 1835. At that point the Church is said to be vastated and made desolate, 407-411, 2243. The Church is established among gentiles; the reason why, 1366. Within a Church undergoing vastation something of the Church is always preserved as a nucleus, 468, 637, 931, 2422. If the Church did not exist in the world the human race would perish, ibid. The Church is like the heart and lungs in that vast body, of which every member of the human race is a part, 637, 931, 2054, 2853. The nature of the spiritual Church, 765, 2669. Charity constitutes the Church, not faith separated from charity, 809, 916. If all possessed charity the Church would be one even though they differ in matters of doctrine and in forms of worship, 1285, 1316, 1798, 1799, 1834, 1844, 2385. All people on earth who belong to the Lord's Church, though they are scattered throughout the entire world, still so to speak make a single whole, as is the case in heaven, 2853. Every Church is internal and external, and both together constitute a single Church, 409, 1083, 1098, 1100, 1242. The external Church is valueless if there is no internal Church, 1795. The Church is compared to the rise and the setting of the sun, to the seasons of the year, and also to the periods of the day, 1837. The Last Judgement is the final period of the Church, 900, 931, 1850, 2117, 2118.
Latin(1748-1756) 2913
2913. `Et locutus est ad filios Heth, dicendo': quod significet illos apud quos nova Ecclesia spiritualis, constare potest a significatione Heth et Hittaei. Plures fuerunt incolae terrae Canaanis qui passim enumerantur in Verbo, et inter eos Hittaei, videatur Gen. xv 20; Exod. iii 8, 17; xiii 5; xxiii 23; Deut. vii I; xx 17; Jos. iii 10; xi 1, 3; xii 8; xxiv 11; I Reg. ix 20; et alibi; fuerunt plerique illorum ex Antiqua Ecclesia, quae quod per plures terras extensa fuerit et quoque per terram Canaanem, videatur n. 1238, 2385: omnes qui ab illa Ecclesia fuerunt, pro principali agnoverunt charitatem; et doctrinalia eorum omnia fuerunt charitatis seu vitae; qui doctrinalia fidei excoluerunt, dicti sunt Canaanitae, et separati e ceteris incolis terrae Canaanis, Num. xiii 29, videatur n. 1062, 1063, 1076; [2] inter meliores in terra Canaane fuerunt Hittaei, quod etiam inde constare potest quod Abraham inter eos habitaret, et postea Jishak et Jacob, et quod sepultura ibi illis, tum quod pie et modeste erga Abrahamum se gererent, ut manifeste patet ab illis quae in hoc capite de iis memorantur, imprimis vers. 5, 6, 10, 11, 14, 15; inde est quod {1}per illos ut per gentem probam, repraesentetur et significetur Ecclesia spiritualis seu Ecclesiae veram; sed factum est cum his sicut cum reliquis ab Ecclesia Antiqua, quod successu temporis a charitate seu bono fidei desciverint, inde est quod per illos dein significetur Ecclesiae falsum, ut Ezech. xvi 3, 45, et alibi; quod usque Hittaei inter honoratiores essent, constare potest ex eo quod Hittaei essent apud Davidem, ut Ahimelech, I Sam. xxvi 6; et Uriah, {2}qui Hittaeus, 2 Sam. xi 3, 6, 17, 21, cujus uxor Bathsheba, ex qua Davidi Salomo, 2 Sam. xii 24; quod `Heth' significet cognitiones exteriores quae spectant vitam, quae sunt vera Ecclesiae spiritualis {3}externa, videatur n. 1203. [3] Agitur in hoc versu de nova Ecclesia quam Dominus cum prior exspirat, instaurat; et in sequentibus de receptione fidei apud illos; non agitur de aliqua Ecclesia apud filios Heth, sed in communi de resuscitatione Ecclesiae spiritualis a Domino postquam prior decedit seu consummatur; filii Heth sunt modo qui repraesentant et significant. Videantur quae de Ecclesiis prius dicta sunt, nempe, quod Ecclesia temporis tractu decrescat et contaminetur, n. 494, 501, 1327, 2422 quod recedat a charitate, et producat mala et falsa, n. 1834, 1835: quod tunc dicatur Ecclesia vastata et desolata, n. 407-411, 2243 quod Ecclesia apud gentes instauretur, cur, n. 1366: quod semper aliquid Ecclesiae in Ecclesia quae {4}vastatur, ut nucleus, conservetur, n. 468, 637, 931, 2422 nisi Ecclesia in tellure, quod genus humanum periret, ibid.: quod Ecclesia sit sicut cor et pulmo in {5}maximo corpore, hoc est, in genere humano, n. 637, 931, 2054, 2853: qualis Ecclesia spiritualis, n. 765, 2669: quod charitas non fides separata constituat Ecclesiam, n. 809, 916: quod Ecclesia foret una si omnibus charitas, tametsi quoad doctrinalia et cultus differrent, n. 1285, 1316, 1798, 1799, 1834, 1844, 2385: quod omnes homines in terris qui in Ecclesia Domini sunt, tametsi sparsi per orbem, usque sicut unum faciant, {6}ut in caelis, n. 2853: quod omnis Ecclesia sit interna et externa, et utraque simul unam constituat, n. 409, 1083, 1098, 1100, 1242; quod Ecclesia externa {7}nihili sit, si non sit interna, n. 1795 quod Ecclesia comparetur ortui et occasui solis, temporibus anni, tum temporibus diei, n. 1837: quod ultimum judicium sit ultimum tempus Ecclesiae, n. 900, 931, 1850, 2117, 2118. @1 i nunc$ @2 quod Chittaeus esset$ @3 externae A is probably the correct reading.$ @4 consummatur, sicut$ @5 in maxima societate humana$ @6 sicut$ @7 nihil I$