1672. And the kings that were with him. That this signifies the apparent truth which is of that good, is evident from the signification of “kings” in the Word. “Kings,” “kingdoms,” and “peoples,” in the historical and the prophetical parts of the Word, signify truths and the things which are of truths, as may be abundantly confirmed. In the Word an accurate distinction is made between a “people” and a “nation;” by a “people” are signified truths, and by a “nation” goods, as before shown (n. 1259, 1260). “Kings” are predicated of peoples, but not so much of nations. Before the sons of Israel sought for kings, they were a nation, and represented good, or the celestial; but after they desired a king, and received one, they became a people, and did not represent good or the celestial, but truth or the spiritual; which was the reason why this was imputed to them as a fault (see 1 Samuel 8:7-22, concerning which subject, of the Lord’s Divine mercy elsewhere). As Chedorlaomer is named here, and it is added, “the kings that were with him,” both good and truth are signified; by “Chedorlaomer,” good, and by “the kings,” truth. But what was the quality of the good and truth at the beginning of the Lord’s temptations has already been stated.

7503. On the horses, on the asses, on the camels. That this signifies the intellectual things and the memory-knowledges of the truth that is of faith, is evident from the signification of “horses,” as being things of the intellect (n. 2761, 2762, 3217, 5321, 6125, 6534); from the signification of “asses,” as being things that are of service to the intellect, thus also memory-knowledges (n. 5492, 7024); and from the signification of “camels,” as being memory-knowledges in general (n. 3048, 3071, 3143, 3145). These three animals signify things that belong to the intellectual part; the other animals, which pertain to the herd and to the flock, signify things that are of the will part. As regards the intellectual part, it is this which receives the truths of faith; for the intellect is the internal sight, which is enlightened by the light of heaven, and insofar as it is enlightened, it notices, sees, and acknowledges the truths of faith when it reads the Word. Hence it is that they who are in perception of the truth of faith, are called “intelligent” and “wise,” and also “enlightened.” (That the intellectual is the recipient of the truth of faith, see n. 5114, 6125, 6222)