246. 'Beast' and 'wild animal of the field' mean affections. This becomes clear from what has been stated already in 45, 46, about 'beast' and 'wild animal', to which let the following quotation from David be added,

You shake down a shower of blessings, O God; Your heritage which is labouring, You strengthen; Your wild animals will dwell in it. Psalms 68:9-10.

Here also 'wild animal' stands for the affection for good, since it is going 'to dwell in God's heritage'. The reason 'beast' and 'wild animal of the field' are mentioned here, as also in Genesis 2:19, 20, but 'beast' and 'wild animal of the earth' in Genesis 1:24-25, is that the subject is the Church, that is, man when regenerate, whereas in Chapter 1 the subject is the time when the Church does not exist, that is, when man has yet to be regenerated; for 'field' is a term applying to the Church, that is, to man when regenerate.

8399. 'Which is between Elim and Sinai' means a continuation and the essential nature. This is clear from the meaning of 'Elim' and from the meaning of 'Sinai', from which one may see what this location between the two means. Because of the springs and palm trees that were there 'Elim' means truth and good that belong to comfort after temptation - see the final verse of the previous chapter. And because of the Law which was declared from it 'Sinai' means good and the truth that flows from it. Consequently the continuation and the essential nature meant by 'Sin' is good that results from truth. Good that results from truth is the good done by a spiritual person prior to regeneration; for at that time he does it as a result of truth, that is, because truth demands it, and therefore he does it in a spirit of obedience. But good from which truth flows is done by a spiritual person after regeneration, for now he does it as a result of his affection for it. The former kind of good is meant by 'Sin', the latter by 'Sinai'.