1185. That 'out of that land went Asshur' means that those with whom such external worship existed started to engage in reasoning about the internal aspects of worship becomes clear from the meaning of 'Asshur' in the Word as reason and reasoning, to be dealt with immediately below. This verse can be read in two different ways - that is to say, 'Asshur went out of that land' or 'Nimrod went out of that land into Asshur (or Assyria)'. It is worded in this way because both ideas are meant, both the idea that reasoning concerning spiritual and celestial things is the outcome of such worship, meant by Asshur's going out of the land of Shinar, and also the idea that such worship engages in reasoning concerning spiritual and celestial things, meant by Nimrod's going out of the land into Asshur or Assyria.

6679. 'And did not do as the king of Egypt spoke to them' means that the intention of those under the influence of falsities was not carried out. This is clear from the meaning of 'did not do as he spoke' as the fact that their intention was not carried out, that is, they were unable to destroy the truths meant by 'the boys', even though their intention was to destroy them by whatever method they could, 6676; and from the meaning of 'the king of Egypt' as separated factual knowledge that is opposed to the Church's truth, dealt with in 6651, thus falsity since that factual knowledge is false.