803. As to fowl, and as to beast, and as to wild animal, and as to every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth. That these signify the persuasions of those in whom “fowl” signifies affections of what is false, “beast” cupidities, “wild animal” pleasures, and “creeping thing” things corporeal and earthly, is evident from what has been already shown respecting the signification of “fowls” and of “beasts” (concerning “fowls” in n. 40, and above at verses 14 and 15 of this chapter; concerning “beasts” also in the same place, and in n. 45, 46, 142, 143, and 246. As “fowls” signify things of understanding, of reason, and of memory-knowledge, they signify also the contraries of these, as what is of perverted reason, falsities, and affections of what is false. The persuasions of the antediluvians are here fully described, namely, that there were in them affections of what is false, cupidities, pleasures, things corporeal and earthly. That all these are within persuasions, man is not aware, believing a principle or a persuasion of what is false to be but a simple thing, or one general thing; but he is much mistaken, for the case is very different. Every single affection of a man derives its existence and nature from things of his understanding and at the same time from those of his will, so that the whole man, both as to all things of his understanding and all things of his will, is in his every affection, and even in the most individual or least things of his affection.

[2] This has been made evident to me by numerous experiences, as for example (to mention only one) that the quality of a spirit can be known in the other life from one single idea of his thought. Indeed angels have from the Lord the power of knowing at once, when they but look upon anyone, what his character is, nor is there any mistake. It is therefore evident that every single idea and every single affection of a man, even every least bit of his affection, is an image of him and a likeness of him, that is, there is present therein, nearly and remotely, something from all his understanding and from all his will. In this way then are described the direful persuasions of the antediluvians: that there were in them affections of what is false, and affections of what is evil, or cupidities, and also pleasures, and finally things corporeal and earthly. All these are within such persuasions; and not only in the persuasions in general, but also in the most individual or least things of the persuasions, in which things corporeal and earthly predominate. If man should know how much there is within one principle and one persuasion of what is false, he would shudder. It is a kind of image of hell. But if it be from innocence or from ignorance, the falsities therein are easily shaken off.

46. That “beasts” signify man’s affections-evil affections with the evil, and good affections with the good-is evident from numerous passages in the Word, as in Ezekiel:

Behold, I am for you, and I will look back to you, that ye may be tilled and sown, and I will multiply upon you man and beast, and they shall be multiplied and bring forth fruit; and I will cause you to dwell as in your ancient times (Ezekiel 36:9, 11, treating of regeneration).

In Joel:

Be not afraid ye beasts of My field, for the dwelling places of the wilderness are become grassy (Joel 2:22).

In David also:

So foolish was I, I was as a beast before Thee (Psalms 73:22).

In Jeremiah, treating of regeneration:

Behold the days come, saith Jehovah, that I will sow the house of Israel and the house of Judah with the seed of man, and with the seed of beast, and I will watch over them to build and to plant (Jeremiah 31:27-28).

[2] “Wild animals” have a similar signification, as in Hosea:

In that day will I make a covenant for them with the wild animal of the field, and with the fowl of the heavens, and with the creeping thing of the earth (Hosea 2:18).

In Job:

Thou shalt not be afraid of the wild animals of the earth, for thy covenant is with the stones of the field, and the wild animals of the field shall be at peace with thee (Job 5:22-23).

In Ezekiel:

I will make with you a covenant of peace, and will cause the evil wild animal to cease out of the land, that they may dwell confidently in the wilderness (Ezekiel 34:25).

In Isaiah:

The wild animals of the field shall honor me, because I have given waters in the wilderness (Isaiah 43:20).

In Ezekiel:

All the fowls of the heavens made their nests in his boughs, and under his branches did all the wild animals of the field bring forth their young, and under his shadow dwelt all great nations (Ezekiel 31:6).

This is said of the Assyrian, by whom is signified the spiritual man, and who is compared to the garden of Eden.

In David:

Glorify ye Him, all His angels, glorify Jehovah from the earth, ye whales, fruit trees, wild animal, and every beast, creeping thing, and flying fowl (Psalms 148:2, 7, 9-10).

Here mention is made of the same things-as “whales” the “fruit tree” “wild animal” the “beast” “creeping thing” and “fowl” which, unless they had signified living principles in man, could never have been called upon to glorify Jehovah.

[3] The Prophets carefully distinguish between “beasts” and “wild animals of the earth” and “beasts” and “wild animals of the field.” Nevertheless goods in man are called “beasts” just as those who are nearest the Lord in heaven are called “animals” ¹ both in Ezekiel and in John:

All the angels stood round about the throne, and the elders, and the four animals, ¹ and fell before the throne on their faces, and worshiped the Lamb (Revelation 7:11, 19:4).

Those also who have the gospel preached to them are called “creatures” because they are to be created anew:

Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature (Mark 16:15).

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