1166. In the Word 'Put' or Libya means cognitions drawn from the literal sense, which in a similar way confirm false assumptions. 'Put' also means simply such cognitions. This is clear from places quoted already where Cush is referred to. Because Cush too means cognitions, though interior ones, Put and Cush are mentioned together in the Word. Among the places quoted above, see Jeremiah 46:9; Ezekiel 30:4-6; Nahum 3:9; Daniel 11:43.

According to Swedenborg, a person's name in the Bible represents his or her entire spiritual nature, their whole state of love (good or evil) and thought (from heavenly wisdom to infernal insanity). This is why the name of the Lord is so important; it represents and embodies His perfect love and perfect wisdom, which is everything that we should worship and follow. It's easy to see that names are important in the Bible. Jehovah changed Abram and Sarai to Abraham and Sarah, changed Jacob to Israel and included in the Ten Commandments the order that believers "shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain." In the New Testament, Zacharias was told to name John the Baptist "John," and both Joseph (Matthew 1:21) and Mary (Luke 1:31) were told to name Jesus "Jesus." Jesus himself renamed Simon as Peter, and included the phrase "hallowed be thy name" in the Lord's prayer.

(Notae: Luke 1)