2506. Abraham said. That this signifies thought, is evident from the signification of “saying,” in the historicals of the Word, as being to perceive, as well as to think (see n. 1898, 1919, 2061, 2080, 2238, 2260, 2271, 2287).

2061. God said unto Abraham. That this signifies perception, is evident from the signification of “God’s saying,” in the historical sense, as being in the internal sense to perceive, n. 815, 1819, 1822, 1898, 1919). As another subject here begins to be treated of, namely, that signified by “Sarai” and “Sarah,” and also that signified by the promise of a “son” from Sarah, and by Ishmael’s becoming a “great nation,” it is introduced by a new perception of the Lord, which is expressed by “God said unto Abraham,” as in other places.