2685. 'Withdrawing herself about a bowshot' means the extent to which the state was away from the doctrine of truth. This is clear from the meaning of 'being withdrawn from' as being away from, and from the meaning of 'a bow' as the doctrine of truth, dealt with in the next paragraph. 'Shot' means that it was as far away as possible, as far away as an arrow could be shot from a bow. Here the expression 'a bowshot' is used because the bow is used in reference to the spiritual man, who is also called 'an archer', as he is in verse 20 - 'and he dwelt in the wilderness, and was an archer'.

1231. That 'Lud' means cognitions of truth is clear from the fact that cognitions of truth are obtained in this manner, namely from the Lord through charity and so through faith, by means of reason and knowledge. It is clear also in Ezekiel,

Persia and Lud and Put were in your army, as your men of war; they hung the shield and helmet in you, they gave you your splendour. Ezekiel 27:10.

This refers to Tyre. 'Lud and Put' stands for cognitions, which are spoken of as being 'in its army' and as being 'men of war' because cognitions with the support of reason serve to defend truths, which is also 'hanging the shield and helmet'. That 'Put' means exterior cognitions of the Word, see above at verse 6 of this chapter.