4827. 'And he was in Kezib as she was giving birth to him' means the state. This is clear from the meaning of 'Kezib' as the state, namely that of idolatry meant by 'Shelah' which existed among the Jewish nation, and from the meaning of 'giving birth' as being joined in action, dealt with in 3905, 3915, 3919. And because it was joined to the evil present in that idolatry, it is said that 'she' called his name Shelah, as is evident from the original language; for 'she' - the daughter of Shua - means evil begotten by falsity springing from evil, 4818, 4819.

4819. 'And his name was Shua' means the essential nature of this. This is clear from the meaning of 'name' as the essential nature, dealt with above in 4817, in this case the essential nature of evil begotten by falsity springing from evil, also dealt with above, in 4818.