3788. And they said, We cannot, until all the droves are gathered together. That this signifies that they ought to be together, is evident from the signification of “gathering,” as being to be made into a one, that is, to be together, as above (n. 3786); and from the signification of “droves,” as being doctrinal things (n. 3767, 3768). What these words imply may be seen from what was said above (n. 3786, 3787).

715. As the most ancient people knew, and when they were in self-humiliation acknowledged, that they were nothing but beasts and wild beasts, and were men solely by virtue of what they had from the Lord, therefore whatever pertained to themselves they not only likened to but called beasts and birds; things of the will they compared to beasts, and called beasts; and things of the understanding they compared to and called birds. But they distinguished between good affections and evil affections. Good affections they compared to lambs, sheep, kids, she-goats, he-goats, rams, heifers, oxen-for the reason that they were good and gentle, and serviceable to life, since they could be eaten, and their skins and wool could furnish clothing. These are the principal clean beasts. But those which are evil and fierce, and not serviceable to life, are unclean beasts.