Arcana Coelestia #4248
4248. 'And four hundred men with him' means its state now, set to take up the first position. This is clear from the meaning of 'four hundred' strictly speaking as temptations and the time these lasted, dealt with in 2959, 2966. This is the state that is meant, as becomes clear from the details that follow, namely that he was exceedingly afraid and was distressed and therefore divided his camp into two, verses 7-8, and also that out of fear he prayed intensely to Jehovah, verses 9-12, and finally wrestled with an angel, by which wrestling is meant temptation, as will be clear from the explanation of that wrestling later on in this chapter. When the state of one who is being regenerated is turned around, that is, when good takes up the first position, temptations arrive. He is unable to undergo them prior to that because he does not as yet possess the cognitions with which he may defend himself and to which he may resort to receive comfort. For this reason also no one undergoes temptations until he reaches adult life, temptations being experiences which unite truths to good, 2272, 3318, 3696, 3928. From this it is evident that 'four hundred men with him' means a state when good is set to take up the first position.
Genesis 32:9-12
9
Jacob said, "God of my father Abraham, and God of my father Isaac, Yahweh, who said to me, 'Return to your country, and to your relatives, and I will do you good,'
10
I am not worthy of the least of all the loving kindnesses, and of all the truth, which you have shown to your servant; for with just my staff I passed over this Jordan; and now I have become two companies.
11
Please deliver me from the hand of my brother, from the hand of Esau: for I fear him, lest he come and strike me, and the mothers with the children.
12
You said, 'I will surely do you good, and make your seed as the sand of the sea, which can't be numbered because there are so many.'"
