1187. 'He built Nineveh, and Rehoboth city, and Calah' means that in this way they formulated for themselves doctrinal teachings concerning faith. This is clear from the meaning of 'Nineveh and Rehoboth and Calah', to be dealt with in the paragraphs following immediately after this, and from the meaning of 'a city' in the Word, as doctrine, true or heretical, as shown already in 402.

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)