Spiritual Meaning of
Spiritual Meaning of |
|
Back to Words index | Back to Animal words index |
Te signification of a wolf, is one who seizes and scatters; and as in the Word beasts signify cupidities, a wolf signifies the avidity of seizing, as is also evident from the passages in the Word where a wolf is mentioned; as in Matthew:--
Beware ye of false prophets, who come unto you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves (Matthew 7:15).
And in John:--
He that is a hireling, and not the shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, seeth the wolf coming, and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth, and the wolf seizeth them, and scattereth the sheep (John 10:12).
Likewise in other places (Luke 10:3; Jer. 5:6; Ezek. 22:27; Zeph. 3:3). Hence it is plain that by a wolf are signified those who seize, but here one who rescues from hell those who have been seized. The signification of a wolf is in a similar category to that of a lion, also a rapacious animal, concerning which also it is said that it seizeth the rapine, gathereth spoil, and preyeth upon prey, as is here said of a wolf; and yet in a good sense a lion signifies truth in power from good (AC 6367). It is similar with other rapacious beasts, as leopards, eagles, etc.
from AC 6441
Back to Words index, Back to Animal words index
| Author: E. Swedenborg (1688-1772). | Design: I.J. Thompson, Feb 2002. | www.BibleMeanings.info |