Arcana Coelestia (Elliott) n. 1029

Previous Number Next Number Next Translation See Latin 

1029. 'With every wild animal of the earth' means lower things of the understanding or will which derive from these. This too is clear from what has been shown already about the meaning of 'a wild animal', for with everybody there are interior things and exterior. The interior are rational concepts which are here meant by 'birds', and affections which are meant by 'beasts'. The exterior are facts and delights which are meant here by 'wild animals of the earth'. That 'bird', 'beast', and 'wild animal' do not mean any bird, beast, or wild animal but that which is living with a regenerate person anyone may know and deduce from the fact that, in spite of the statement, 'I will establish My covenant with every living soul that is with you, with birds, with beasts, and with every wild animal with you', God cannot possibly enter into a covenant with animals. He can do so only with man who is being described by means of those animals as to his interior and exterior things.


This page is part of the Writings of Emanuel Swedenborg

© 2000-2001 The Academy of the New Church