3408. 'And he had acquired flocks, and had acquired herds' means as regards interior good and as regards exterior good, that is, as regards rational good and as regards natural good. This is clear from the meaning of 'a flock' as interior or rational good, dealt with in 343, 2566, and from the meaning of 'a herd' as exterior or natural good, dealt with in 2566. The natural good meant by 'a herd' is not the good that a person is born with but that which he acquires by means of cognitions of truth that are linked to an affection for good. The natural good that a person is born with is in itself no more than something animal-like, for it also exists with living creatures. But the natural good that is acquired, or that the Lord confers on a person, holds that which is spiritual within it, so that it is spiritual good within natural. This kind of good is human natural good itself, whereas the other kind - that which one is born with - notwithstanding its seeming to be good, is not necessarily good. Indeed it may be evil, for it is able to receive falsities too into itself and to believe that what is evil is good. Such natural good exists with nations who in life and faith are the most wicked of all.

2566. 'Flocks and herds' means, enriched with rational goods and natural goods.... This is clear from the meaning of 'flocks and herds'. The word 'flock' is used of those inside the Church who are truly rational, that is, who are internal people; and from this 'flock' also means - abstractedly - rational or internal goods themselves. Regarding the meaning of 'a flock', see 343, 415, 1565. The word 'herd' however is used of those inside the Church who are natural, that is, who are external people; and from this too 'herd' means - abstractedly - natural or external goods themselves. Regarding this meaning of 'herd', see 2180. It has been shown that 'beasts' has these meanings in 45, 46, 142, 143, 246, 714, 715, 776, 1823, 2179. 'Abimelech took and gave' means that the doctrine of faith was enriched, for, as has been stated, 'Abimelech' means the doctrine of faith.