1723. 'At the valley of Shaveh, which is the king's valley' means the state of the External Man as regards goods and truths at that time. This becomes clear from the meaning of 'the valley of Shaveh' and also of the 'king's valley'. 'The valley of Shaveh' means the goods of the External Man, 'the king's valley' the truths of the same Man. The External Man is called 'a valley' on account of its being below. That which is more external is also lower, just as that which is more internal is also higher. That 'a king' means truth has been stated already in 1672.

1671. 'Chedorlaomer came' means apparent good in the External Man. This is clear from the meaning of 'Chedorlaomer', dealt with in the previous verse, as apparent good and truth - here good alone, because the words are also added, 'and the kings who were with him', by whom truth is meant.