7162. 'To put a sword in their hand to kill us' means that consequently such a burning desire to destroy the Church's truths by means of falsities exists in them. This is clear from the meaning of 'a sword' as falsity engaged in conflict and laying waste, dealt with in 2799, 6353, 7102; and from the meaning of 'killing' as destroying aspects of faith and charity, dealt with in 6767. Aspects of faith and charity are meant by 'the children of Israel', the ones who it says would be killed. For the essential elements of the spiritual Church, which is meant by 'the children of Israel', 6637, are charity and faith.