22
Alles, was einen lebendigen Odem hatte im Trocknen, das starb.
Arcana Coelestia #774
774. That by the “wild animal after its kind” is signified every spiritual good, and by “beast after its kind” every natural good, and by “creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth” every sensuous and corporeal good, has been stated and shown before n. 45, 46, 142, 143, 246). At first view it may appear as if it could not be that the “wild animal” signifies spiritual good; yet that this is the true signification appears from the series of expressions, in that mention is first made of “they” meaning the man of the church; next of “wild animal;” then of “beast;” and lastly of “creeping thing.” So that “wild animal” involves what is of higher worth and excellence than “beast” the reason of which is that in the Hebrew language the expression “wild animal” means also an animal in which there is a living soul. And so it does not here mean every wild animal, but every animal in which there is a living soul, for it is the same word. That by “animals” “beasts” and “creeping things that creep upon the earth” are signified things pertaining to the will, has been stated and shown before, and will be further shown in what presently follows, where birds will be spoken of.
Arcana Coelestia #46
46. That “beasts” signify man’s affections-evil affections with the evil, and good affections with the good-is evident from numerous passages in the Word, as in Ezekiel:
Behold, I am for you, and I will look back to you, that ye may be tilled and sown, and I will multiply upon you man and beast, and they shall be multiplied and bring forth fruit; and I will cause you to dwell as in your ancient times (Ezekiel 36:9, 11, treating of regeneration).
In Joel:
Be not afraid ye beasts of My field, for the dwelling places of the wilderness are become grassy (Joel 2:22).
In David also:
So foolish was I, I was as a beast before Thee (Psalms 73:22).
In Jeremiah, treating of regeneration:
Behold the days come, saith Jehovah, that I will sow the house of Israel and the house of Judah with the seed of man, and with the seed of beast, and I will watch over them to build and to plant (Jeremiah 31:27-28).
[2] “Wild animals” have a similar signification, as in Hosea:
In that day will I make a covenant for them with the wild animal of the field, and with the fowl of the heavens, and with the creeping thing of the earth (Hosea 2:18).
In Job:
Thou shalt not be afraid of the wild animals of the earth, for thy covenant is with the stones of the field, and the wild animals of the field shall be at peace with thee (Job 5:22-23).
In Ezekiel:
I will make with you a covenant of peace, and will cause the evil wild animal to cease out of the land, that they may dwell confidently in the wilderness (Ezekiel 34:25).
In Isaiah:
The wild animals of the field shall honor me, because I have given waters in the wilderness (Isaiah 43:20).
In Ezekiel:
All the fowls of the heavens made their nests in his boughs, and under his branches did all the wild animals of the field bring forth their young, and under his shadow dwelt all great nations (Ezekiel 31:6).
This is said of the Assyrian, by whom is signified the spiritual man, and who is compared to the garden of Eden.
In David:
Glorify ye Him, all His angels, glorify Jehovah from the earth, ye whales, fruit trees, wild animal, and every beast, creeping thing, and flying fowl (Psalms 148:2, 7, 9-10).
Here mention is made of the same things-as “whales” the “fruit tree” “wild animal” the “beast” “creeping thing” and “fowl” which, unless they had signified living principles in man, could never have been called upon to glorify Jehovah.
[3] The Prophets carefully distinguish between “beasts” and “wild animals of the earth” and “beasts” and “wild animals of the field.” Nevertheless goods in man are called “beasts” just as those who are nearest the Lord in heaven are called “animals” 1 both in Ezekiel and in John:
All the angels stood round about the throne, and the elders, and the four animals, 1 and fell before the throne on their faces, and worshiped the Lamb (Revelation 7:11, 19:4).
Those also who have the gospel preached to them are called “creatures” because they are to be created anew:
Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature (Mark 16:15).
Фусноти:
1. This word is here correctly translated “animals” and not “beasts” as in the authorized version, for zoon in Greek, and animal in Latin and English, precisely correspond to each other, and properly signify “a living creature.” Zoon is the word used in these passages in the original, and not thar or tharion, as would be the case if beast had been intended. [Note to former edition.]
