4170. And the rams of thy flock have I not eaten. That this signifies the truth of good, in that He had taken nothing of his, is evident from the signification of “rams,” as being the truths of good; for “sheep” signify goods, and hence “rams,” because they belong to the sheep, signify the truths of good; and from the signification of “eating,” as being to appropriate (see n. 3168, 3513, 3596, 3832), and thus to take; for that which is appropriated from another is taken from him.

3168. And they did eat and drink. That this signifies the appropriation of the good and of the truth thus initiated, appears from the signification of “eating,” as being to be communicated and conjoined, thus to be appropriated (see n. 2187, 2343); and as this is predicated of bread, and by “bread” is signified good (n. 276, 680, 2165, 2177, 2187), it is the appropriation of good which is signified by “eating”—and also from the signification of “drinking,” as also being to be communicated and conjoined, thus to be appropriated (see n. 3089); but as this is predicated of wine, and by “wine” is signified truth (n. 1071, 1798), it is the appropriation of truth which is signified by “drinking.” The real case herein is as before said (n. 3167), that when truth is being initiated into good, and still more when it is being conjoined with it, in the rational, the good and truth of the spiritual man, that is, spiritual things, are appropriated to the natural man.