2723. But in regard to Beersheba—“Beersheba” signifies the state and quality of the doctrine, namely, that it is Divine and it is that to which what is of human reason is adjoined-as is evident from the series of things treated of from verse 22 this verse (see n. 2613, 2614); and also from the signification of the word itself in the original language, which is “the well of the oath,” and “of seven.” That a “well” is the doctrine of faith may be seen above (n. 2702, 2720); that an “oath” is conjunction (n. 2720); and that a “covenant made by an oath,” has the same meaning (n. 1996, 2003, 2021, 2037); and that “seven” denotes what is holy and thus Divine (n. 395, 433, 716, 881); from all which it is evident that “Beersheba” signifies doctrine which is in itself Divine together with things of human reason or appearances adjoined.

[2] That the name Beersheba comes from all this is manifest from Abraham’s words:

Because these seven ewe lambs shalt thou take from my hand, that it may be a witness unto me that I have digged this well; therefore he called that place Beersheba, because there they sware both of them; and they struck a covenant in Beersheba (Genesis 21:30-32).

In like manner from Isaac’s words in chapter 26:

It came to pass on that day that Isaac’s servants came and told him concerning the well which they had digged, and said unto him, We have found water; and he called it Shibah (an “oath” and “seven”); therefore the name of the city is Beersheba unto this day (Genesis 26:32-33).

There also wells are spoken of about which there was contention with Abimelech, and a covenant with him is treated of; and by “Beersheba” are signified the things of human reason again adjoined to the doctrine of faith; and because they are again adjoined, and the doctrine thus became adapted to human comprehension, it is called a “city” (that a “city” signifies doctrine in its complex may be seen above, n. 402, 2268, 2450, 2451). Moreover Beersheba is mentioned with a similar signification as to the internal sense in other places (Genesis 22:19; 26:22-23; 28:10; 46:1, 5; Josh. 15:28; 19:1-2; 1 Samuel 8:2; 1 Kings 19:3; and also in the opposite sense, Amos 5:5; 8:13-14).

[3] The extension of the celestial and spiritual things belonging to doctrine is signified in the internal sense, where the extent of the land of Canaan is described by the expression “from Dan even to Beersheba;” for by the land of Canaan is signified the Lord’s kingdom, and also His church, consequently the celestial and spiritual things of doctrine; as in the book of Judges:

All the sons of Israel went out, and the congregation was assembled as one man from Dan even to Beersheba (Judg. 20:1).

In the book of Samuel:

All Israel from Dan even to Beersheba (1 Samuel 3:20).

And again:

To transfer the kingdom from the house of Saul, and to set up the throne of David over Israel and over Judah, from Dan even to Beersheba (2 Samuel 3:10).

And again:

Hushai said to Absalom, Let all Israel be gathered together, from Dan even unto Beersheba (2 Samuel 17:11).

And again:

David told Joab to go through all the tribes of Israel from Dan even to Beersheba (2 Samuel 24:2, 7).

And again:

There died of the people from Dan even to Beersheba seventy thousand men (2 Samuel 24:15).

In the book of Kings:

Judah dwelt under his vine and under his fig-tree, from Dan even to Beersheba, all the days of Solomon (1 Kings 4:25).

1308. And let us make us a name. That this signifies that thereby they might have a reputation for power, may be seen from the signification of “making oneself a name.” For they knew that everyone desires to be in some worship; for this is common to all, and exists among all nations. For everyone who beholds the universe, and still more who considers the order of the universe, acknowledges some supreme being or entity [summum ens], and as he desires his own prosperity, he pays adoration to that entity. Moreover there is something within, which dictates this, for such a dictate flows in from the Lord through the angels who are with every man.

The man who is not like this, and who does not acknowledge a God, is under the dominion of infernal spirits. Knowing this, they who build Babylonish towers make themselves a name by means of doctrinal and holy things, for otherwise they could not be worshiped, which is signified in what next follows by their otherwise being scattered over the faces of the whole earth, that is, they would not be acknowledged. And from this it follows that the higher such men can lift up the head to heaven, the more they make themselves a name. Their dominion is greatest over those who have some conscience; for these they lead whithersoever they will; but as to those who have not conscience, they rule all such by means of various external bonds.