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.

7223. 'Behold, the children of Israel have not heard me' means that those who are spiritual have not received the things which have been declared to them. This is clear from the representation of 'the children of Israel' as those who are spiritual, that is, those who belong to the Lord's spiritual Church, dealt with in 6426, 6637; and from the meaning of 'not hearing' as not receiving in faith and obedience, dealt with above in 7216. The fact that the things which have been declared to them are meant, that is, things regarding their deliverance, is self-evident.