Damascus
In Genesis 14:15, Damascus, being the chief city of Syria, signifies knowledge of good and truth. (Arcana Coelestia 1715)
In Ezekiel 27:18, this signifies external knowledge. (Apocalypse Explained 376[18])
In Isaiah 17:3, this signifies people who value religion for knowing only external things. (The Inner Meaning of the Prophets and Psalms 17)
Damascus and Aroer (Isaiah 17:1, 2) signify knowledge of truth and good. See Eliezer of Damascus.
(Verweise: Apocalypse Explained 911)
The Inner Meaning of the Prophets and Psalms #17
17. Internal Meaning of Isaiah, Chapter 17 (8)
Those who place religion in nothing but knowing knowledges [scientia cognitionum], which is Damascus. (2)
1-2 They are to be destroyed. (2)
3 This [knowledge] will be serviceable to the new church. (11, 2)
4-6 The knowledge of knowledges will then be rare, (11, 2, 3)
7-8 but they are to be instructed by the Lord. (11, 2)
9-14 Those who do not suffer themselves to be instructed by the Lord will lack all things, and will seize upon falsities for truths. (11, 2)
