In Genesis 14:15, Damascus, being the chief city of Syria, signifies knowledge of good and truth. (Arcana Coelestia 1715)

In Ezekiel 27:18, this signifies external knowledge. (Apocalypse Explained 376[18])

In Isaiah 17:3, this signifies people who value religion for knowing only external things. (The Inner Meaning of the Prophets and Psalms 17)

Damascus and Aroer (Isaiah 17:1, 2) signify knowledge of truth and good. See Eliezer of Damascus.

(Reference: Apocalypse Explained 911)

'Forty' represents completeness because 'four' and 'ten' both mean what is complete. Forty is the product of four and ten. Compound numbers have a meaning similar to the simple numbers which compose them, and all numbers in the Word represent spiritual realities.

(Reference: Arcana Coelestia 9437; Exodus 24:18)