10491. 'And the sons of Levi did according to the word of Moses' means put into effect by those in possession of truths springing from good. This is clear from the representation of 'the sons of Levi' as those in possession of truths springing from good, and in the abstract sense, without reference to persons, as truths springing from good, dealt with above in 10485; and from the meaning of 'doing according to the word of Moses' as putting into effect.

In most cases, the meaning of "before" is pretty straightforward, both as a way of assessing relative time, and in its use meaning "in someone's presence." It takes on a deeper significance, though, when used in connection with the Lord. To be "before" the Lord means not just in His presence, but also receiving the desire for good and the understanding of truth from Him, and living according to them. And when used as an assessment of time in connection with the Lord, "before" means "from eternity," and refers to a spiritual state rather than time as we experience it.

(参考: Apocalypse Revealed 366, 617; Arcana Coelestia 6983, 8439, 9888)