9251. Thou shalt not be after many to do evils. This signifies no association with such things as those mentioned above, namely, listening to falsities, obedience to malignities, and affirmation of such things as are contrary to the good of charity. These are the evils which are meant. By "being after many" is signified being with many, thus associating; for in the original tongue it is said "to be after," "to go after," and "to walk after;" and the meaning is to be with and to follow; thus also to be associated with (as in Jer. 7:9; 11:10; 1 Sam. 17:13; 1 Kings 14:8; Deut. 4:3; 8:19; and elsewhere).
