4170. 'And I have not eaten the rams of your flock' means the truth of good, in that He took nothing of his. This is clear from the meaning of 'rams' as the truths of good - for 'sheep' means goods, and 'rams' consequently the truths that go with good since rams partner sheep; and from the meaning of 'eating' as making one's own, dealt with in 3168, 3513, 3596, 3832, and so taking, for that belonging to another which is made one's own is something taken from him.

For something to "fail" in the Bible means there is not enough understanding of truth and desire for good for someone to attain a higher spiritual state -- and possibly not enough to overcome false thoughts and the desire for evil at all. "Abate" has similar meaning but in an opposite sense, usually referring to the lessening of evil and falsity at the end of a state of temptation.

In Genesis 8:3, Deuteronomy 34:7, Judges 8:3, and Leviticus 27:18, the abating of the flood waters signifies the cessation of temptations. (Arcana Coelestia 843, 849)

(Odkazy: Arcana Coelestia 857, 5969, 6122, 8395)