46、“牲畜”表示人的情感，对恶人来说是邪恶的情感，对善人来说是良善的情感，这一点从圣言中的大量经文明显看出来。如以西结书：
看哪，我是为你们的，我必转而垂顾你们，使你们得以耕种和撒种；我必使人和牲畜在你上面加增，他们必增多繁殖；我必使你有人居住，如你古时一样。（以西结书36:9-10，11）
这论及重生。约珥书：
田野的走兽啊，不要惧怕！因为旷野的住所长出青草。（约珥书2:22）
诗篇：
我愚昧无知，在你面前（或神眼里）如畜类一般。（诗篇73:22）
耶利米书：
看哪！日子将到，我要把人的种和牲畜的种，播种在以色列家和犹大家；我必监视他们建立，栽种。（耶利米书31:27-28）
这论及重生。
“野兽”具有类似含义，如何西阿书：
当那日，我必为他们与田野的野兽和空中的飞鸟，并土地上的爬行物立约。（何西阿书2:18）
约伯记：
地上的野兽，你也不惧怕。因为你必与田间的石头立约；田里的野兽也必与你和好。（约伯记5:22-23）
以西结书：
我必与他们立平安的约，使邪恶的野兽从地上灭绝，他们就必在旷野中安居。（以西结书34:25）
以赛亚书：
田间的野兽必尊重我，因我使旷野有水。（以赛亚书43:20）
以西结书：
空中所有的飞鸟都在它的枝子上搭窝，田野所有的野兽都在它的枝条下生产，所有大民族都在它的荫下居住。（以西结书31:6）
这描述的是亚述，亚述表示属灵人，好比伊甸园。诗篇：
祂的众天使啊，你们要将荣耀归于祂；大鱼，果树，野兽和一切牲畜，爬行物和飞鸟或带翅膀的飞行物，你们从地上将荣耀归于耶和华。（诗篇148:2-3，4，7，9-10）
此处提到了同样的东西，如大鱼，果树，野兽，牲畜，爬行动物和鸟；除非它们表示人里面的活物，否则经上永远不可能说它们将荣耀归于耶和华。
先知书仔细区分了地上的动物与田间的动物，或说地上的牲畜和野兽与田间的牲畜和野兽。人里面的良善被称为牲畜，正如在以西结书和约翰福音，最接近主的人在天上被称为活物。启示录：
众天使都站在宝座和众长老并四活物的周围，面伏在宝座前敬拜神，敬拜羔羊。（启示录7:11；19:4）
有福音传到的人也被称为受造物，因为他们将要被新造：
你们到全世界去，向一切受造物传福音。（马可福音16:15）
New Century Edition
Cooper(2008,2013)
[NCE]46. Many examples from the Word can clarify the fact that beasts or animals symbolize the feelings we have — negative feelings if we are evil, positive feelings if we are good. Take these verses in Ezekiel:
Here, now, I am yours, [mountains of Israel,] and I will turn to face you so that you may be tilled and sown; and I will multiply human and animal upon you, and they will multiply and reproduce; and I will cause you to live as in your ancient times. (Ezekiel 36:9-10, 11)
This speaks of regeneration. In Joel:
Do not be afraid, animals of my field; because the living-places of the desert have become grassy. (Joel 2:22)
In David:
I was dull-witted; I was like the animals, in God's sight. (Psalms 73:22)
In Jeremiah:
Look! The days are coming when I will sow the house of Israel and the house of Judah with the seed of human and the seed of animal; and I will watch over them to build and to plant. (Jeremiah 31:27-28)
This speaks of regeneration.
[2] Wild animals have the same symbolism. In Hosea, for example:
I will strike a pact with them on that day — with the wild animal of the field, and with the bird in the heavens and the creeping animal of the earth. (Hosea 2:18)
In Job:
Of the wild animal of the earth you are not to be afraid, as you will have a compact with the stones of the field, and the wild animal of the field will be peaceful toward you. (Job 5:22-23)
In Ezekiel:
I will strike a pact of peace with you and bring an end on the earth to the evil wild animal, so that people may live securely in the wilderness. (Ezekiel 34:25)
In Isaiah:
The wild animal of the field will honor me because I have put water in the desert. (Isaiah 43:20)
In Ezekiel:
In its branches nested every bird of the heavens, and under its branches bred every wild animal of the field, and in its shade lived all the great nations. (Ezekiel 31:6)
This describes Assyrians, who symbolize a person with a spiritual focus and who are being compared to the Garden of Eden. In David:
Give glory to Jehovah, all you angels of his; give glory from the earth, you sea creatures, fruit tree, wild animal, and every beast, creeping animal, and bird on the wing. (Psalms 148:2-3, 4, 7, 9-10)
This lists exactly the same things [as the present chapter]: sea creatures, fruit tree, wild animal, beast, creeping animal, and bird. Unless they symbolized living things in us, they could never be said to give glory to Jehovah.
[3] The prophets draw a careful distinction between the animals of the earth and the animals of the field.
It is good things that have been called animals up to this point, just as the people closest to the Lord in heaven are termed living creatures both in Ezekiel [1; 10] and in John:{*1} All the angels stood around the throne and the elders and the four living creatures, and they fell down before the throne on their faces and worshiped the Lamb. (Revelation 7:11; 19:4)
People to whom the gospel is to be preached are also called created beings, since they are to be created anew:{*2} Go throughout the world and preach the gospel to every created being. (Mark 16:15)
Footnotes:
{*1} In Swedenborg's day, it was the custom to refer to the Book of John, the Epistles of John, and the Book of Revelation simply as "John." Swedenborg commonly follows this practice. [JSR]
{*2} The word translated "created beings" here is creaturae, from the verb creare, "create." The -tura ending referred originally to a process (here, the process of creation) but eventually to the product of the process (here, something created). This ending is a form of the future active participle, and Swedenborg seems to have its forward-looking quality in mind here, since he says "they are to be created anew." [LHC]
Potts(1905-1910) 46
46. That "beasts" signify man's affections-evil affections with the evil, and good affections with the good-is evident from numerous passages in the Word, as in Ezekiel:
Behold, I am for you, and I will look back to you, that ye may be tilled and sown, and I will multiply upon you man and beast, and they shall be multiplied and bring forth fruit; and I will cause you to dwell as in your ancient times (Ezek. 36:9, 11, treating of regeneration). In Joel:
Be not afraid ye beasts of My field, for the dwelling places of the wilderness are become grassy (Joel 2:22). In David also:
So foolish was I, I was as a beast before Thee (Ps. 73:22). In Jeremiah, treating of regeneration:
Behold the days come, saith Jehovah, that I will sow the house of Israel and the house of Judah with the seed of man, and with the seed of beast, and I will watch over them to build and to plant (Jer. 31:27-28).[2] "Wild animals" have a similar signification, as in Hosea:
In that day will I make a covenant for them with the wild animal of the field, and with the fowl of the heavens, and with the creeping thing of the earth (Hos. 2:18). In Job:
Thou shalt not be afraid of the wild animals of the earth, for thy covenant is with the stones of the field, and the wild animals of the field shall be at peace with thee (Job 5:22-23). In Ezekiel:
I will make with you a covenant of peace, and will cause the evil wild animal to cease out of the land, that they may dwell confidently in the wilderness (Ezek. 34:25). In Isaiah:
The wild animals of the field shall honor me, because I have given waters in the wilderness (Isa. 43:20). In Ezekiel:
All the fowls of the heavens made their nests in his boughs, and under his branches did all the wild animals of the field bring forth their young, and under his shadow dwelt all great nations (Ezek. 31:6). This is said of the Assyrian, by whom is signified the spiritual man, and who is compared to the garden of Eden. In David:
Glorify ye Him, all His angels, glorify Jehovah from the earth, ye whales, fruit trees, wild animal, and every beast, creeping thing, and flying fowl (Ps. 148:2, 7, 9-10). Here mention is made of the same things-as "whales" the "fruit tree" "wild animal" the "beast" "creeping thing" and "fowl" which, unless they had signified living principles in man, could never have been called upon to glorify Jehovah. [3] The Prophets carefully distinguish between "beasts" and "wild animals of the earth" and "beasts" and "wild animals of the field." Nevertheless goods in man are called "beasts" just as those who are nearest the Lord in heaven are called "animals"1 both in Ezekiel and in John:
All the angels stood round about the throne, and the elders, and the four animals,* and fell before the throne on their faces, and worshiped the Lamb (Rev. 7:11; 19:4). Those also who have the gospel preached to them are called "creatures" because they are to be created anew:
Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature (Mark 16:15). * This word is here correctly translated "animals" and not "beasts" as in the authorized version, for zoon in Greek, and animal in Latin and English, precisely correspond to each other, and properly signify "a living creature." Zoon is the word used in these passages in the original, and not thar or tharion, as would be the case if beast had been intended. [Note to former edition.]
Elliott(1983-1999) 46
46. That 'beasts' means affections residing with man - evil affections in evil men and good affections in good men - becomes clear from many examples in the Word, as in Ezekiel,
Behold, I am for you, and I will turn to you, so that you will be tilled and sown; and I will multiply upon you man and beast, and they will be multiplied and be fruitful, and I will resettle youa to be as in your ancient times. Ezek 36:9-11.
This refers to regeneration. In Joel, Fear not, you beasts of My field, for the dwelling-places of the wilderness have been made green. Joel 1:22.
In David,
I was stupid, a beastb was I with God. Ps 73:12.In Jeremiah, Behold, the days are coming when I will sow the house of Israel and the house of Judah with the seed of man and the seed of beast, and I will watch over them to build and to plant. Jer 31:27, 28. This refers to regeneration.
[2] 'Wild animals' (fera) has a similar meaning, as in Hosea, I will make for them a covenant on that day, with the wild animals of the field, and with the birds of the air,c and with the creeping things of the earth. Hosea 2:18. In Job,
You will not fear the wild animals of the earth, for your covenant will be with the stones of the field, and the wild beasts of the field will be at peace with you. Job 5:22, 23.In Ezekiel,
I will make with themd a covenant of peace, and I will banish the evil wild animal from the land, so that they may dwell securely in the wilderness. Ezek 34:25.In Isaiah, The wild animals of the field will honour me, for I have given water in the desert. Isa 43:20. In Ezekiel,
In its branches all the birds of the airc made their nests and under its branches every wild animal of the field gave birth, and in its shadow dwelt all great nations. Ezek 31:6.
This refers to Assyria, which means the spiritual man and is compared to the Garden of Eden. In David,
Praise Jehovah, all his angels, praise Him from the earth, sea monsters, fruit trees, wild animals, and all beasts, creeping things, and flying birds! Ps 148:2-4, 7, 9, 10.Here the list is precisely the same - sea monsters, fruit trees, wild animals, beasts, creeping things, and birds. Unless they all mean things that are alive in human beings, they cannot possibly be referred to as praising Jehovah.
[3] A careful distinction is made in the Prophets between beasts and wild animals of the earth, and between beasts and wild animals of the field. The practice of calling goods 'beasts' extends to calling people in heaven who are nearest to the Lord 'living creatures', both in Ezekiel and in John, All the angels stood around the throne, and the elders, and the four living creatures; and they fell on their faces before the throne and worshipped God.e Rev 7:11; 19:4.
The expression 'creatures' is also used of people who are to have the gospel preached to them because they are to be created anew, Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. Mark 16:15.
Latin(1748-1756) 46
46. Quod 'bestiae' significent affectiones apud hominem, malas apud malos et bonas apud bonos, constare potest ex Verbo pluries, ut apud Ezechielem, Ecce Ego ad vos, et respiciam ad vos, ut excolamini et seminemini, et multiplicabo super vos hominem et bestiam, et multiplicabuntur, et fructificabuntur, et habitare faciam vos secundum antiquitates vestras, xxxvi 9-11;ubi de regeneratione agitur: apud Joelem, Ne timete bestiae agri Mei, quia herbosa facta habitacula deserti, ii 22:
apud Davidem, Ego stolidus,...bestiae fui apud Deum, Ps. {x}lxxiii 22:
apud Jeremiam, Ecce dies venientes, et seminabo domum Israelis, et domum Jehudae, semine hominis, et semine bestiae,...et vigilabo super iis ad aedificandum et plantandum, xxxi 27, 28;
ibi de regeneratione agitur. Quod 'ferae' similia significent, ut apud Hosheam, Feriam illis foedus in die illo, cum fera agri, et cum ave caelorum, et reptili terrae, ii 18:
apud Jobum, A fera terrae non timebis, nam cum lapidibus agri foedus tuum, et fera agri pacifica erit tibi, {x}v 22, 23:
apud Ezechielem, Pangam {1} vobis foedus pacis, et cessare faciam feram malam e terra, ut habitent in deserto confidenter, xxxiv 25:
apud Esaiam, Honorabit Me fera agri, quia dedi in deserto aquas, xliii 20: apud Ezechielem, In ramis illius nidificarunt omnis avis caelorum, et sub ramis illius genuerunt omnis fera agri, ac in umbra illius habitaverunt omnes gentes magnae, xxxi 6;
ita de Assyrio, quo significatur homo spiritualis, et {2} comparatur horto Edenis: apud Davidem, Glorificate Jehovam omnes angeli Ipsius, glorificate e terra ceti, arbor fructus, fera, et omnis bestia, reptans, et avis alae: Ps. cxlviii 2-4, 7, 9, 10;
hic prorsus eadem nominantur, ut ceti, arbor fructus, fera, bestia.' reptans, avis; nisi per ea significentur viva apud hominem, nusquam praedicari potest de iis quod glorificent Jehovam. Distinguitur probe apud Prophetas inter bestias et feras terrae ac inter bestias et feras agri Bona usque adeo appellantur bestiae, ut qui proximi Domino in caelo, dicantur animalia, tam apud Ezechielem quam apud Johannem, Omnes angeli steterant circa thronum, et seniores, et quatuor animalia, et ceciderunt ante thronum super facies suas, et adorarunt Agnum, Apoc. vii 11; xix 4:
appellantur etiam 'creaturae quibus praedicandum evangelium,' quia e novo creandi, Euntes in mundum universum, et praedicate evangelium omni creaturae, Marc. xvi 15. @ 1 Heb.=iis; illis n. 93, and elsewhere iis or illis.$ @ 2 qui seems to be omitted.$