7781. And every firstborn of beast. That this signifies the adulterated goods of faith, is evident from the signification of “firstborn,” as being faith; and from the signification of “beast,” as being the affections of good, and in the opposite sense the affections of evil (see n. 45, 46, 142, 143, 246, 714, 715, 719, 776, 2179, 2180, 3519, 5198). That “beasts” have this signification is from the representatives in the other life (n. 3218). Therefore also such things were signified by them in sacrifices (n. 2180, 2805, 2807, 2830, 3519). As “beasts” had this signification, therefore by “the firstborn of beast” is signified the good of truth, in this case adulterated, because belonging to the Egyptians, who perverted all truths and goods by applications to evil uses.

719. That evil affections are signified by the “beasts not clean” is evident from what has been said and shown before respecting the clean beasts. They are called “clean” because they are gentle, good, and useful. The unclean-of which there are genera and species-are the contrary, being fierce, evil, and not useful. In the Word also they are described as wolves, bears, foxes, swine, and many others; and various cupidities and evil dispositions are signified by them. As to its being here said that unclean beasts also (that is, evil affections) should be brought into the ark, the truth is that the man of that church is here described such as he was in character, and this by the ark, and therefore by the things that were in the ark, or that were brought into the ark; that is to say, the things are described that were in the man before he was regenerated. There were in him the truths and goods with which he had been furnished and gifted by the Lord before regeneration; for without truths and goods no one can ever be regenerated. But here the evils that were in him are spoken of, and are signified by the unclean beasts. There are evils in man which must be dispersed while he is being regenerated, that is, which must be loosened and attempered by goods; for no actual and hereditary evil in man can be so dispersed as to be abolished. It still remains implanted; and can only be so far loosened and attempered by goods from the Lord that it does not injure, and does not appear, which is an arcanum hitherto unknown. Actual evils are those which are loosened and attempered, and not hereditary evils; which also is a thing unknown.