2980. 'At the cave of the field of Machpelah facing Mamre' means that in this way they were regenerated to the extent that they could be. This is clear from the meaning of 'the cave' as the truth of faith enveloped in obscurity, dealt with in 2935; from the meaning of 'the field' as the good of faith, dealt with in 2971; from the meaning of 'Machpelah facing (or before) Mamre', as the nature and extent of regeneration, dealt with in 2970. Thus the meaning is that they were regenerated by means of the good and truth of faith to the extent that they could be, that is, according to their ability and understanding, 2913, 2928, 2975.

2975. 'Before the eyes of the sons of Heth' means according to their understanding, that is to say, the understanding of those who belong to the new spiritual Church. This is clear from the meaning of 'the eyes' as the understanding, dealt with in 212, 2701, and from the meaning of 'the sons of Heth' as those who belonged to the new spiritual Church, dealt with in 2913, 2928. In verse 16 above it was said that 'Abraham spoke in the ears of the sons of Heth', which meant according to their ability, 2965, 2967. Here however the words 'before the eyes of the sons of Heth' are used, which mean according to their understanding. The first statement implies that which conformed to their will, the second that which conformed to their understanding, for a person is reformed as to both these parts. Indeed unless will and understanding are in agreement so as to make one a person remains unregenerate, that is, unless good and truth, or what amounts to the same, charity and faith, make one; for charity belongs to the will but faith to the understanding. This explains why earlier on the words 'in the ears of the sons of Heth' are used, but here 'before the eyes of the sons of Heth'.