10035. And the flesh of the bullock. That this signifies the evil of the former loves there, is evident from the signification of “flesh,” as being the good of love, and in the opposite sense the evil of love (of which below); and from the signification of “the bullock,” as being the external or natural (of which above). For by a “bullock” and a “calf” in a good sense is signified the external or natural of man in respect to the good of innocence and of charity; but in the opposite sense, the external or natural of man in respect to the evil which is contrary to the good of innocence and of charity; for in the Word most things have also an opposite sense. That “the flesh of the bullock” here signifies the evil of the former loves in the external or natural man, is because by “flesh” is signified man’s will, thus his own, for that which is of the will is his own; and as by “flesh” is signified the will or own, therefore by it is also signified the good of love, or the evil of love. For in man there are two faculties called understanding and will. To the understanding pertain truths or falsities; but to the will, goods or evils. Thus to the understanding pertain the things of faith, and to the will the things of love, because the things of love are perceived as goods, and the things of faith are perceived as truths. Moreover, with those who are in falsities and evils, falsities are of faith, and evils are of love.

[2] From this it can be seen what is meant by the own of the will, which is signified by “flesh” in both senses. Be it known further that all the own of the will of man is evil, because from himself man loves nothing but himself and the world, and if he loves his neighbor it is for the sake of himself. Therefore he must be regenerated, and through regeneration receive a new will; but the will which he receives through regeneration is not of the man, but of the Lord with the man. When this will or will part is meant by “flesh,” then “flesh” signifies the good of love. (But see what has already been shown concerning “flesh,” and concerning own, namely, that “flesh” signifies the Lord’s own which is Divine good, and from this it signifies all the good of love with the regenerate man, n. 3813, 7850, 9127; and that in the opposite sense it signifies the own of the will of man, which is the evil of love, n. 999, 3813, 8409.) (That the Lord’s own denotes the Divine good, and from this the good of love to Him and toward the neighbor, because the Lord’s own is that which gives the life of heaven to man when he is being regenerated, see n. 1023, 1044, 1937, 1947, 3812, 5660, 5786, 8480; and that man’s own is nothing but evil, n. 210, 215, 694, 874-876, 987, 1047, 3812, 4328, 5660, 5786, 8480, 8497.) That by “the flesh of this bullock” is signified the evil of love, is evident from what follows in this verse, namely, that the flesh, the skin, and the dung were to be burned without the camp, because they were sin. But what was represented by the command that the flesh of the sacrifice was to be eaten by the priest and by the people in the holy place, will be seen below (n. 10040).

7850. And they shall eat the flesh. That this signifies the enjoyment of good, is evident from the signification of “to eat,” as being enjoyment (of which just above, n. 7849); and from the signification of “flesh,” as being what is man’s own vivified by the Divine Human of the Lord, thus all celestial and spiritual good with man (see n. 3813, 6968). That “flesh” has this signification was well known among the ancients, and yet at this day it is so unknown that everyone would be surprised on being told that “flesh” has such a signification. If it is said that it is a spiritual correspondent, this is not understood. If it is said that it is a significative, this is indeed understood, but in another sense than that in which it is a significative correspondent, namely, as something quite separate; when yet a spiritual or significative correspondent is conjoined with that to which it corresponds as is a man’s sight with his eye; his hearing with his ear; his thought, which is spiritual, with the form of his interiors, and through this form with the little organs of speech; or as the will, which also is spiritual, is conjoined with the muscular fibers by which action is produced. Such is the case with every spiritual correspondent or significative relatively to its natural, with which there is correspondence.

[2] Who cannot see that by “flesh” is not meant flesh, nor by “blood” blood, by the Lord in John:

Verily, verily, I say to you, Except ye eat the flesh of the Son of man and drink His blood, ye have no life in you; he that eateth My flesh and drinketh My blood hath eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day; for My flesh is meat indeed, and My blood is drink indeed (John 6:53-55).

That by “flesh” is meant the Divine good of the Divine love of the Lord, which is from His Divine Human, and by “blood” the Divine truth proceeding from His Divine good, and also the man’s reciprocity, is at this day known to few, and they who can know, will not. The reason why they are unwilling to know is that they are in no affection of truth for the sake of truth, but only for the sake of worldly reasons, and also because natural men desire to apprehend all things naturally.

[3] These things have been said in order that it may be known what is signified by “eating flesh” at the paschal supper, consequently what at the Holy Supper, which was then instituted. (Concerning the bread and the wine which in the Holy Supper signify the same as the flesh and the blood, see n. 2165, 2177, 2187, 3464, 3478, 3735, 3813, 4211, 4217, 4735, 4976, 5915) That in the spiritual sense of the Word “flesh” does not mean flesh, besides being manifest from other passages, is also very evident from this in Revelation:

Come and be ye gathered together unto the supper of the great God; that ye may eat the flesh of captains, and the flesh of mighty men, and the flesh of horses and of them that sit thereon, and the flesh of all both free and bond, both small and great (Revelation 19:17-18); where by “flesh” are signified goods of various kinds.