In most cases, the meaning of "before" is pretty straightforward, both as a way of assessing relative time, and in its use meaning "in someone's presence." It takes on a deeper significance, though, when used in connection with the Lord. To be "before" the Lord means not just in His presence, but also receiving the desire for good and the understanding of truth from Him, and living according to them. And when used as an assessment of time in connection with the Lord, "before" means "from eternity," and refers to a spiritual state rather than time as we experience it.

(Odkazy: Apocalypse Revealed 366, 617; Arcana Coelestia 6983, 8439, 9888)

1344. Verse 15 And Shelah lived after he begot Eber four hundred and three years; and he begot sons and daughters.

'Shelah lived after he begot Eber four hundred and three years' means duration and state, 'Shelah' here, as previously, being that which is the offspring of knowledge, 'Eber' here, as previously, the worship in general of this Church. 'And he begot sons and daughters' means matters of doctrine.