The Bible

 

Genesis 18:8

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8 And he took butter and milk and the young ox which he had made ready and put it before them, waiting by them under the tree while they took food.

From Swedenborg's Works

 

Arcana Coelestia #2185

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2185. 'And set it before them' means that He so prepared Himself to receive. This becomes clear from the meaning of 'setting before them' in the internal sense, where the subject is the preparing of the rational to receive perception from the Divine, and so is clear without further explanation.

  
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Thanks to the Swedenborg Society for the permission to use this translation.

From Swedenborg's Works

 

Arcana Coelestia #2566

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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.

  
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Thanks to the Swedenborg Society for the permission to use this translation.