45. This was how people who lived in most ancient times envisaged matters of the understanding and those of the will. Among the Prophets therefore, and consistently throughout the Old Testament Word, like matters are represented by various kinds of living creatures. There are two kinds of beasts - evil ones, because they are harmful, and good ones, because they are gentle. Evil [and harmful] things in man were meant by such beasts as bears, wolves, and dogs, while good and gentle things were meant by beasts such as calves, sheep, and lambs. As the subject here is those persons who are to be regenerated, 'the beasts' are good and gentle ones, which mean affections. Things of a baser nature that derive from the body are called 'wild animals of the earth'. These are desires and pleasures.

'Look not back behind thee,' as in Genesis 19:17, means that Lot, who represents the good of charity, should not look to matters of doctrine. 'To look up,' is to look to celestial things. In Genesis 18:22, looking signifies thinking because seeing denotes understanding.

(Izinkomba: Arcana Coelestia 2245)