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創世記 13

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1 亞伯蘭帶著他的妻子與羅得,並一切所有的,都從埃及地去。

2 亞伯蘭的、牲畜極多。

3 他從地漸漸往伯特利去,到了伯特利和艾的中間,就是從前支搭帳棚的地方

4 也是他起先築地方;他又在那裡求告耶和華的名。

5 亞伯蘭同行的羅得也有牛群羊群、帳棚。

6 容不下他們;因為他們的財物甚多,使他們不能同居。

7 當時,迦南人與比利洗人在那居住亞伯蘭的牧人和羅得的牧人相爭。

8 亞伯蘭就對羅得:你我不可相爭,你的牧人和我的牧人也不可相爭,因為我們是骨肉(原文作弟兄)。

9 不都在你眼前麼?請你離開我:你向左,我就向右;你向右,我就向左。

10 羅得舉目見約但河的全平原,直到瑣珥,都是滋潤的,那耶和華未滅所多瑪、蛾摩拉以先如同耶和華的園子,也像埃及

11 於是羅得選擇約但河的全平原,往東遷移;他們就彼此分離了。

12 亞伯蘭迦南,羅得在平原的城邑,漸漸挪移帳棚,直到所多瑪

13 所多瑪人在耶和華面前罪大惡極。

14 羅得離別亞伯蘭耶和華亞伯蘭:從你所在的地方,你舉目向東西

15 凡你所見的一切,我都要賜你和你的後裔,直到永遠

16 我也要使你的後裔如同上的塵沙那樣多,若能數算上的塵沙才能數算你的後裔。

17 起來,縱橫走遍這,因為我必把這你。

18 亞伯蘭就搬了帳棚,到希伯崙幔利的橡樹那裡居住,在那裡為耶和華築了一座

   

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Arcana Coelestia #2909

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2909.

In Kiriath-arba, the same is Hebron in the land of Canaan. That this signifies in the church, is evident from the signification of “Kiriath-arba,” as being the church as to truth; and from the signification of “Hebron in the land of Canaan,” as being the church as to good. In the Word, and especially in the prophetical parts, where truth is treated of, good is treated of also, because of the heavenly marriage in everything of the Word (see n. 683, 793, 801, 2173, 2516, 2712); therefore here, when Kiriath-arba is mentioned, it is also said, “the same is Hebron in the land of Canaan.” (That the “land of Canaan” denotes the Lord’s kingdom, may be seen above, n. 1413, 1437, 1607; also that the places in that land were variously representative, n. 1585, 1866.)

[2] In regard to Kiriath-arba which is Hebron, it was the region where Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob dwelt. That Abraham dwelt there, appears from what was said in a preceding chapter: “Abraham came and dwelt in Mamre, which is in Hebron” (Genesis 13:18). That Isaac dwelt there, appears from what is said in a later chapter: “Jacob came unto Isaac his father, to Mamre, to Kiriath-arba, the same is Hebron, where Abraham and Isaac sojourned” (Genesis 35:27). That Jacob dwelt there is evident from Joseph being sent to his brethren by Jacob his father, from the valley of Hebron (Genesis 37:14). From the representation of the three, as spoken of above, it is plain that Kiriath-arba which is Hebron represented the church before Jerusalem did.

[3] That every church in process of time decreases, until it has nothing left of faith and charity, and then is destroyed, was also represented by Kiriath-arba which is Hebron, in its being possessed by the Anakim, by whom were signified dire persuasions of falsity (n. 581, 1673). That it was possessed by the Anakim, may be seen in several places (Numbers 13:21-22; Josh. 11:21 14:15; 15:13-14; Judges 1:10); and that it came to its end or consummation and was destroyed, was represented by all things therein being given by Joshua to the curse (Josh. 10:36-37; 11:21); and the Anakim being smitten by Judah and Caleb (Judges 1:10; Josh. 14:13-15; 15:13-14). And that there was again a new church, was represented by Hebron being assigned to Caleb for an inheritance, as to field and villages (Josh. 21:12); but the city itself was made a city of refuge (Josh. 20:7; 21:13); and a priestly city for the sons of Aaron (Josh. 21:10-11); in the inheritance of Judah (Josh. 15:54).

[4] Hence it is evident that Hebron represented the Lord’s spiritual church in the land of Canaan. And likewise on this account David was required by the command of Jehovah to go to Hebron, and was there anointed to be king over the house of Judah; and after he had reigned there seven years and six months, he went to Jerusalem and took possession of Zion (see 2 Samuel 2:1-11; 5:5; 1 Kings 2:11); and then for the first time the spiritual church of the Lord began to be represented by Jerusalem, and the celestial church by Zion.

  
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Thanks to the Swedenborg Foundation for the permission to use this translation.