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.

1951. 'And he will dwell in opposition to ¹ all his brothers' means incessant strife against things of faith, but rational truth will nevertheless be the conqueror. This is clear from what has just been stated, and the matter is described more fully still where the descendants of Ishmael are referred to, in these words,

They dwelt from Havilah to Shur which is opposite Egypt ² as you come towards Asshur. (His lot) fell opposite all his brothers. ³ Genesis 25:18.

The internal sense of these words is evident from the meaning of Havilah, Shur, Egypt, and Assyria. 'Havilah' means that which is connected with intelligence, as is evident from what has been shown in 115. 'Shur' means truth stemming from facts, dealt with above in 1928, 'Egypt' everything that is connected with knowledge, 1164, 1165, 1186, 1462, and 'Assyria' that which is connected with reason, 119, 1186. From the meanings of these names when used together so as to present a single concept it is clear that Ishmael represents such a rational. In the next life such truth is represented in various ways, but always as that which is strong, powerful, and hard, to such a degree that it cannot be resisted at all. The mere thought of such truth produces in spirits a sense of terror for the reason that its nature is such that it does not yield, and so does not retreat. These considerations also show what is meant by 'dwelling in opposition to ¹ all his brothers'. Anyone may recognize that an arcanum lies within this description, but up to now the nature of it has not been known.

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