2678. 'He sent her away' means that He left the exterior man immersed in the proprium. This becomes clear from the meaning of 'being sent away' when this is done by Abraham, who represents the Lord; and also from the first state of those who are being reformed and becoming spiritual. Their first state is a state when they imagine that they do what is good and think what is true of themselves, thus from what is properly their own. Nor during this state do they know anything different. And when they are told that everything good and everything true originates in the Lord, they do not, it is true, reject the idea; yet they do not in their hearts accept it because they do not feel or inwardly perceive that anything flows in from any other source than themselves. Such being the state at first of all who are being reformed, the Lord therefore leaves them immersed in the proprium. Nevertheless without their knowing it they are led by means of their proprium.