'A nation,' as in Genesis 21:18, signifies the spiritual church which should receive the good of faith.

In Isaiah 1:4, this signifies evils of the will, or lusts, while people signify falsities of the understanding, or persuasions. (Arcana Coelestia 622)

In Psalm 106:5, this signifies the Lord's kingdom. (Arcana Coelestia 1416[5])

In Ezekiel 29:15, this signifies the gentiles who will no longer be under the dominion of external truths. (Arcana Coelestia 409, 410)

In Micah 7:16, this signifies people who trust in themselves. (Arcana Coelestia 249)

(References: Arcana Coelestia 2699; Jeremiah 5, 5:17, Jeremiah 17)