In the Bible, things that are lower down, or under, physically, generally represent things that are lower or more external spiritually. In some cases, the lower things have been separated and put away to protect the good, but in others, it can mean that a less exalted idea or good desire is supporting a more exalted one.

(Ссылки: Arcana Coelestia 4564 [1-2], 8610, 9656)

'Spreading themselves on the earth,' as in Genesis 8:17, signifies the internal self operating on the external.

(Ссылки: Arcana Coelestia 913)