3465. And he called it Shibah. That this signifies the conjunction of confirmed truth by means of these things, is evident from the signification of “calling by name,” as being the quality (see n. 144, 145, 1754, 1896, 2009, 3421 and that “names” thus signify a thing or state, n. 1946, 2643, 3422), here therefore the conjunction of confirmed truth by means of doctrinal things; for in the original tongue “Shibah” means “an oath,” which signifies confirmation (n. 2842, 3375). That is called the conjunction of confirmed truth, when interior truths conjoin themselves with exterior truth, which are doctrinal things from the literal sense of the Word. That with such persons there is conjunction by means of the truths which are of faith, and not so much by means of the goods which are of charity, was stated above (n. 3463).

1946. And thou shalt call his name Ishmael. This signifies the state of the life. In ancient times names were bestowed on sons and daughters that were significant of the state in which the parents were, especially the mothers when they conceived, or while they were with child, or when they brought forth; or the state in which the infants were when born, so that the names were significative. From what Ishmael had his name is here explained, namely, “because Jehovah hearkened to the affliction,” referring to his mother’s state. But what Ishmael represents is described in the verse following.