Here are some excerpts from Swedenborg's "Arcana Coelestia" that help explain the inner meaning of this chapter:
AC 1279. The subject treated of is the first Ancient Church, which was after the flood (verses 1 to 9).
AC 1280. Concerning its first state, that all had one doctrine (verse 1); its second state, that it began to decline (verse 2); its third, that the falsities of cupidities began to reign (verse 3); its fourth, that men began to exercise dominion by means of Divine worship (verse 4) and therefore the state of the church was changed (verses 5 and 6); so that none had the good of faith (verses 7 to 9).
AC 1281. The second Ancient Church is then treated of which was named from Eber--and its derivation and state, which finally ended in idolatry (verses 10 to 26).
AC 1282. The origin of a third Ancient Church is treated of, which from being idolatrous became representative (verses 27 to 32).
