3583. And let thy mother’s sons bow down themselves to thee. That this signifies over all other affections of truth, is evident from the signification of “sons,” as also being truths (see n. 489, 491, 533, 1147, 2623, 3373); and from the signification of mother,” as being the affection of spiritual truth, and thence the church; because the church is and is so called from truth and the affection thereof (n. 289, 2691, 2717).

534. Verse 32. And Noah was a son of five hundred years; and Noah begat Shem, Ham, and Japheth. By “Noah” as has been said, is signified the Ancient Church. By “Shem, Ham, and Japheth” are signified three Ancient Churches, the parent of which was the Ancient Church called “Noah.”