1358. Abram, Nahor, and Haran were actual people after whom nations that were idolaters were also named, as is clear from the historical sections of the Word. That this was so in the case of Nahor has been shown already, for the city itself was called 'the city of Nahor', Genesis 24:10. At that time cities were nothing else than families dwelling together; and many families constituted a nation. That many nations were born from Abraham is clear not only from the descendants of Ishmael, who were the Ishmaelites, but also from the descendants of his many sons born to his wife Keturah, whose names are given in Genesis 25:1-4.

When the Bible talks about someone being comforted or consoled, it generally means that they are being offered ideas that will help bring them to a more peaceful spiritual state, whether it is a new state or the restoration of one that had been under attack. It's interesting; we tend to think of comforting someone as an emotional thing, offering our own feelings to help them feel better. But the Writings say that the spiritual meaning of 'comfort' is actually more intellectual, coming when a person gains new true ideas.

In Genesis 5:29, this signifies doctrine whereby what was perverted may be restored. (Arcana Coelestia 531)

In Genesis 27:42, this signifies intent to invert the current spiritual state.