2085. To his seed after him. That this signifies those who should have faith in the Lord, is evident from the signification of “seed,” as being faith (explained before, n. 1025, 1447, 1610, 2034). Those are here signified by “seed” who have the faith of love, that is, who have love to the Lord; consequently the celestial, or those who are of the celestial church; for the seed from Isaac is treated of. But they who have the faith of charity, that is, who have charity toward the neighbor-consequently the spiritual, or those who are of the spiritual church-are signified by “Ishmael,” who is treated of in the verse that now follows. (What the distinction is between the celestial and the spiritual, may be seen above, n. 2069, 2078; and also what the distinction is between having love to the Lord and having charity toward the neighbor, n. 2023)

2019. And thy seed after thee. That this signifies conjunction with those who have faith in Him, is evident from the signification of “seed,” as being faith (treated of, n. 1025, 1447, 1610); and also from the signification of “after thee,” as being to follow. To “walk after” someone is an expression that is often made use of in the Word (as in Jeremiah 7:6 8:2 Ezekiel 20:16; also Mark 8:34; Luke 9:23, 14:27). In this passage therefore “thy seed after thee,” signifies those who are in faith and follow Him; in the internal sense, who are born of Him.