1672. And the kings that were with him. That this signifies the apparent truth which is of that good, is evident from the signification of “kings” in the Word. “Kings,” “kingdoms,” and “peoples,” in the historical and the prophetical parts of the Word, signify truths and the things which are of truths, as may be abundantly confirmed. In the Word an accurate distinction is made between a “people” and a “nation;” by a “people” are signified truths, and by a “nation” goods, as before shown (n. 1259, 1260). “Kings” are predicated of peoples, but not so much of nations. Before the sons of Israel sought for kings, they were a nation, and represented good, or the celestial; but after they desired a king, and received one, they became a people, and did not represent good or the celestial, but truth or the spiritual; which was the reason why this was imputed to them as a fault (see 1 Samuel 8:7-22, concerning which subject, of the Lord’s Divine mercy elsewhere). As Chedorlaomer is named here, and it is added, “the kings that were with him,” both good and truth are signified; by “Chedorlaomer,” good, and by “the kings,” truth. But what was the quality of the good and truth at the beginning of the Lord’s temptations has already been stated.

7226. 'And Jehovah spoke to Moses and to Aaron' means instruction once again from the law of God and at the same time from doctrinal teachings. This is clear from the meaning of 'speaking to' as instruction once again, for in what follows next they are given instructions about what they are to do; from the representation of 'Moses' as the law of God, dealt with in 6723, 6752; and from the representation of 'Aaron' as teachings presenting what is good and true, dealt with in 6998. For the difference between the law of God and doctrinal teachings, see 7009, 7010, 7089.