144. As to 'calling by name' meaning recognizing their nature, it must be realized that the ancients understood nothing else by 'a name than the essential nature of a real thing, and by 'seeing and calling them by name' recognizing the nature of such. This was why they gave their sons and daughters names in keeping with the things that were meant by them; for there was something unique to every name, as a means of knowing the origin and nature of those children, as will also be seen later on where, in the Lord's Divine mercy, the twelve sons of Jacob are dealt with. Since therefore a name embodied a person's origin and nature nothing else was meant by 'calling by name'. This manner of speaking was customary among them; but anyone who does not understand is sure to wonder whether they do have these meanings.

'Herb bearing seed,' as mentioned in Genesis 1:29, signifies truth in terms of its use. (Arcana Coelestia 57) Every herb in the Bible signifies some type of knowledge.

'Green herbs,' as mentioned in Genesis 1:30, mean food for the natural man.

'Eating the herb of the field,' as mentioned in Genesis 3:18, signifies that a person should live as a beast.

'Herb of the field' signifies spiritual truth.

(Odkazy: Arcana Coelestia 7626)