9098. Verse Exodus 21:37 ¹ When a man steals an ox or a member of the flock, and slaughters it or sells it, he shall repay five oxen for the ox, and four of the flock for the member of the flock.

'When a man steals an ox or a member of the flock' means whoever takes away from someone his good, exterior or interior. 'And slaughters it' means [if] he wipes it out. 'Or sells it' means, or if he alienates it. 'He shall repay five oxen for the ox' means the corresponding punishment, carried to a great degree. 'And four of the flock for the member of the flock' also means the corresponding punishment, carried out in full.

脚注:

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.