. The king of Sodom went out to meet him. That this signifies that the evil and falsity submitted themselves, is evident from the signification of "the king of Sodom," as being the evil and falsity against which was the combat; and from the signification of "going out to meet," as being to submit one‘s self. The king of Sodom is here spoken of, because the fact that evil and falsity submitted themselves occurs here in the series; but he is specially treated of in (verse 21).
. After his return from smiting Chedorlaomer and the kings that were with him. That this signifies the liberation and vindication of the apparent goods and truths, is evident from the things which precede, and from what was said above concerning Chedorlaomer and the kings that were with him.
. At the valley of Shaveh, this is the king’s valley. That this signifies the state of the external man as to goods and truths at that time, may be seen from the signification of "the valley of Shaveh," and also of "the king‘s valley." "The valley of Shaveh" signifies the goods of the external man; and "the king’s valley" signifies the truths of the same. The external man is called a "valley" from the fact that it is below. That which is more external is also lower, as that which is more internal is also higher. That a "king" signifies truth, has been said before (n. 1672).
GENESIS 14:17previous
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