883. 'The dove returned to him at evening time' means that these started to show themselves a little; and 'evening time' is similar to pre-morning twilight. This in like manner becomes clear from that has been stated already at verse 8, and also from the fact that here it is called 'evening time'. Concerning 'evening', see what has been stated in Genesis 1, where six times the statement is made 'there was evening and there was morning'. 'Evening' is a word that has to do with regeneration and indeed with that state when a person is still in near-darkness, or when there is still only a tiny quantity of light showing itself to him. Morning itself is described in verse 13 below by 'he removed the roof from the ark and saw out'. Because 'evening' meant the pre-morning twilight, mention of the evening is made so many times in the Jewish Church. This also is why sabbaths and festivals began from evening onwards, and why Aaron was commanded to light the sacred lamp 'in the evening', Exodus 27:21.

3217. When angels' discussion has to do with the understanding part of the mind, horses appear in the world of spirits below them, that is, in the communities which correspond to them. The size, shape, colour, and stance of the horses depends on the ideas which the angels have concerning the understanding. The horses also carry differing adornments. There is also a place quite deep down and a little towards the right which is called the abode of the intelligent. There horses are seen constantly, the reason being that those there are engaged in thought about the understanding; and when the angels who are engaged in a discussion about the understanding flow into the thoughts of those spirits, horses are seen. From this I have come to see what was meant by the horses seen by the prophets, and also by the horses mentioned in the Word, namely aspects of the understanding, 2760-2762.