45. This was how people who lived in most ancient times envisaged matters of the understanding and those of the will. Among the Prophets therefore, and consistently throughout the Old Testament Word, like matters are represented by various kinds of living creatures. There are two kinds of beasts - evil ones, because they are harmful, and good ones, because they are gentle. Evil [and harmful] things in man were meant by such beasts as bears, wolves, and dogs, while good and gentle things were meant by beasts such as calves, sheep, and lambs. As the subject here is those persons who are to be regenerated, 'the beasts' are good and gentle ones, which mean affections. Things of a baser nature that derive from the body are called 'wild animals of the earth'. These are desires and pleasures.

5812. 'The boy cannot leave his father' means that that truth cannot be separated from spiritual good. This is clear from the meaning of 'leaving' as being separated; from the representation of 'Israel' as spiritual good from the natural, dealt with in 4286, 4598, 5807; and from the representation of 'Benjamin' as new truth, dealt with in 5804, 5806. This truth is called 'the boy' because it is born last; for this truth is not born until a person has become regenerate. At this point he receives newness of life through this new truth joined to good, which also is why this truth is meant by 'a child of his old age, the youngest one', 5804.