Exploring the Meaning of Genesis 11
Napsal(a) New Christian Bible Study Staff
Here are some excerpts from Swedenborg's "Arcana Coelestia" that help explain the inner meaning of this chapter:
AC 1279. The subject treated of is the first Ancient Church, which was after the flood (verses 1 to 9).
AC 1280. Concerning its first state, that all had one doctrine (verse 1); its second state, that it began to decline (verse 2); its third, that the falsities of cupidities began to reign (verse 3); its fourth, that men began to exercise dominion by means of Divine worship (verse 4) and therefore the state of the church was changed (verses 5 and 6); so that none had the good of faith (verses 7 to 9).
AC 1281. The second Ancient Church is then treated of which was named from Eber--and its derivation and state, which finally ended in idolatry (verses 10 to 26).
AC 1282. The origin of a third Ancient Church is treated of, which from being idolatrous became representative (verses 27 to 32).
Arcana Coelestia # 1280
1280. Its first state, in which all its members had one doctrine, is dealt with in verse 1; its second state when it began to decline, in verse 2; its third, when falsities produced by evil desires began to reign, in verse 3; its fourth, when people began to dominate others by means of Divine worship, in verse 4. The state of the Church was consequently changed, verses 5-6, so that nobody possessed the good present in faith, verses 7-9.