2513. God came to Abimelech. That this signifies the Lord’s perception concerning the doctrine of faith, is evident from the signification of “God coming,” and from the signification of “Abimelech.” That “God coming” signifies to perceive, is evident, for perception is nothing else than the Divine advent or influx into the intellectual faculty. (That “Abimelech” signifies the doctrine of faith was shown above, n. 2504, 2509, 2510.)

2509. And Abimelech king of Gerar sent. That this signifies the doctrine of faith, is evident from what was said above (n. 2504), namely, that by “Philistia” is signified the memory-knowledge of the knowledges of faith (n. 1197, 1198); by “Gerar,” which was in Philistia, faith (n. 1209, 2504); and by a “king,” the truth itself of faith (n. 1672, 2015, 2069). Hence by “Abimelech” is signified the doctrine of faith, but the doctrine of faith looking to rational things; as will be manifest from what now follows.