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.

In Genesis 9:27, 'God spreading out Japheth' signifies his enlightenment. In a literal sense 'to spread out' signifies extending the borders, but in a spiritual sense, it signifies being enlightened. Enlightenment is the extension of the borders of wisdom and intelligence. In Isaiah 54:2, it signifies spiritual illumination or enlightenment. A member of the external church stretches out when he is instructed in the truths and goods of faith. As he is in charity, so he is more and more confirmed, and the more he is instructed, the more the cloud of his intellect is dissipated, which is where his charity and conscience resides.

(Odkazy: Arcana Coelestia 1101)