3797. And the flock of Laban, his mother's brother. That this signifies the church and the doctrine therefrom, is evident from the signification of a "flock," as being the church and doctrine (n. 3767, 3768, 3783). The reason why Laban is here called "his mother's brother," is that thereby is likewise signified an acknowledgment in respect to the origin, as stated just above.