2565. Abimelech took. That this signifies the doctrine of faith, is evident from the signification of “Abimelech,” as being the doctrine of faith (see n. 2504, 2509, 2510).

2510. That “Abimelech” is the doctrine of faith looking to rational things is evident from the fact that he looked upon Sarah, not as Abraham’s wife, but as his sister; and by Sarah as a sister is signified rational truth (n. 2508). The same is also manifest from what follows; for the doctrine of faith is there treated of, as to whether it has its origin from the rational, or from the celestial. Hence “Abimelech” signifies the doctrine of faith looking to rational things. Doctrine is said to look to rational things when nothing is acknowledged as truth of doctrine except what can be comprehended by the reason, so that the consideration of all the things which are of doctrine is from the rational. Yet that the doctrine of faith is not from a rational but from a celestial origin, is taught in the internal sense in what follows.