4011. And Jacob fed the rest of Laban’s flocks. That this signifies that from what was left he took those goods and truths that could be conjoined, is evident from the signification of “flocks,” as being goods and truths (see n. 343, 2566, 3767, 3768, 3772, 3783). That “to feed the rest of the flocks” denotes to take from what was left those goods and truths that could be conjoined, is evident from what follows, for there this is the subject treated of.

143. That by “beasts” and “animals” were anciently signified affections and like things in man, may appear strange at the present day; but as the men of those times were in a celestial idea, and as such things are represented in the world of spirits by animals, and in fact by such animals as they are like, therefore when they spoke in that way they meant nothing else. Nor is anything else meant in the Word in those places where beasts are mentioned either generally or specifically. The whole prophetic Word is full of such things, and therefore one who does not know what each beast specifically signifies, cannot possibly understand what the Word contains in the internal sense. But, as before observed, beasts are of two kinds—evil or noxious beasts, and good or harmless ones—and by the good beasts are signified good affections, as for instance by sheep, lambs, and doves; and as it is the celestial, or the celestial spiritual man, who is treated of, such are here meant. That “beasts” in general signify affections, may be seen above, confirmed by some passages in the Word (n. 45, 46), so that there is no need of further confirmation.