Air" in the Bible represents thought, but in a very general way – our capacity to perceive ideas and the way we tend to think, rather than our specific ideas about specific things. We see the world around us through the air, and seeing corresponds to understanding. We hear through the air, and hearing corresponds to being taught and obeying. Birds fly in the air, and they represent specific thoughts and ideas. And breathing itself – taking in air and passing oxygen to the blood – represents our understanding of true spiritual ideas.

In Genesis 1:26, when used with fowls or birds of the air refers to the air we breathe, but sky, or heavens where are stars, and together these terms refer to both the spiritual and natural man, and to their food, or goods and truths. (Arcana Coelestia 57, 58)

In Genesis 3:8, the only Old Testament reference to air is in the phrase "cool of the day" (at the time of the evening breeze) which signifies the period when the church still had some spiritual perception. (Arcana Coelestia 221)

In Revelation 9:2; 16:17, air signifies the divine truth, darkened by infernal falsities. (Apocalypse Explained 541, Apocalypse Revealed 423)

In Revelation 16:17, everyone in the spiritual world breathes air according to his faith. (Apocalypse Revealed 708, Apocalypse Explained 1012, Apocalypse Revealed 708)

2821. 'The angel of Jehovah called to him out of heaven' means comfort received at that time from the Divine itself. This becomes clear from the meaning of 'calling out of heaven' as giving comfort to, as is also evident from what comes immediately before and directly after; and from the meaning of 'the angel of Jehovah'. When angels are mentioned in the Word they mean something within the Lord, though exactly what belonging to Him is apparent from the whole train of thought, see 1925. Here 'the angel of Jehovah' is used to mean the Divine itself. Something similar is said regarding the Lord, when He endured the very severe temptation in Gethsemane,

There appeared to Him an angel from heaven, strengthening Him. Luke 22:43.

Here also 'an angel from heaven' is used in the internal sense to mean the Divine that was within Him.