1020. That these things are signified is evident from the fact that all things put historically, from the first chapter of Genesis to Eber in the eleventh chapter, signify things quite different from those which appear in the letter, and the historical series is only made-up history, after the manner of the most ancient people, who when they would attest the truth of a thing, declared that “Jehovah said” it. Here however it is said that “God” said, because the subject treated of is the spiritual church. They used the same form of speaking when anything true was coming to pass, or had done so.