7960. 'Take both your flocks and your herds' means interior forms and exterior forms of the good of charity. This is clear from the meaning of 'flocks' as interior forms of the good of charity, and from the meaning Of 'herds' as exterior forms of the good of charity, both of which are dealt with in 2566, 5913, 6048.

2566. 'Flocks and herds' means, enriched with rational goods and natural goods.... This is clear from the meaning of 'flocks and herds'. The word 'flock' is used of those inside the Church who are truly rational, that is, who are internal people; and from this 'flock' also means - abstractedly - rational or internal goods themselves. Regarding the meaning of 'a flock', see 343, 415, 1565. The word 'herd' however is used of those inside the Church who are natural, that is, who are external people; and from this too 'herd' means - abstractedly - natural or external goods themselves. Regarding this meaning of 'herd', see 2180. It has been shown that 'beasts' has these meanings in 45, 46, 142, 143, 246, 714, 715, 776, 1823, 2179. 'Abimelech took and gave' means that the doctrine of faith was enriched, for, as has been stated, 'Abimelech' means the doctrine of faith.