# First commandment - suggestion of polytheism? **URL:** \ **Category:** Great Debates\ **Created:** [April 23, 2007, 1:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/first-commandment-suggestion-of-polytheism/401238 "2007-04-23T01:47:26Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![TV\_time](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/f17d59/32.png) [@TV\_time](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TV_time)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2007, 1:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/first-commandment-suggestion-of-polytheism/401238/1 "2007-04-23T01:47:26Z")
I was glancing at the ten commandments the other day in front of the local city offices and it occured to me that it says “Thou shalt have no other gods before me,” not “Thou shalt have ho other gods.” This to me suggested that there is an acceptance of other gods, just that they are in, at best, second place. So it is that I bring this here. ---
**Author:** ![Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e99b99/32.png) [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diogenes_the_Cynic)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2007, 2:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/first-commandment-suggestion-of-polytheism/401238/2 "2007-04-23T02:03:12Z")
Henotheism, not polytheism, but yeah, it was a tacit acknowledgement that other gods existed. ---
**Author:** ![enigm4tic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7ba0ec/32.png) [@enigm4tic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/enigm4tic)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2007, 3:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/first-commandment-suggestion-of-polytheism/401238/3 "2007-04-23T03:49:42Z")
there are actually lots of references in the bible to “many gods” > **[How many gods are there?](https://www.skepticsannotatedbible.com/contra/gods.html)** of particular interest may be > [@Genesis 1:26](#): > > ``` > And God said, let us make man in our image. > > ``` apparently, the image of “the gods”, not “A god” > [@Exodus 23:32](#): > > ``` > Thou shalt make no covenant with them, nor with their gods. > > ``` explicitly acknowledges that there _are_ other gods, but that they aren’t as good. Actually now that I’m thinking about this, I read a book once called _the History of God_ that explained that originally the Hebrews didn’t think that Yahweh was the “only” god, merely the most powerful. the explanation, I believe, centered around the belief that most Gods only had sway in a certain geographic area, or over a certain type of element, and that this new, more powerful God who favored the Hebrew people had control everywhere AND over everything, and all he wanted in return was the same sort of worship you’d normally accord a God and a covenant not to worship the lesser gods, a pretty good rate of return, one would think ---
**Author:** ![Mister\_Rik](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mister_rik/32/491_2.png) [@Mister\_Rik](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mister_Rik)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2007, 4:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/first-commandment-suggestion-of-polytheism/401238/4 "2007-04-23T04:06:40Z")
[QUOTE=enigm4tic] > [@](#): > > Originally Posted by Genesis 1:26 > And God said, let us make man in our image. apparently, the image of “the gods”, not “A god” [/quote] I’ve also heard a theory that this was the Father speaking to the Son and the Holy Spirit. > [@](#): > > Actually now that I’m thinking about this, I read a book once called _the History of God_ that explained that originally the Hebrews didn’t think that Yahweh was the “only” god, merely the most powerful. the explanation, I believe, centered around the belief that most Gods only had sway in a certain geographic area, or over a certain type of element, and that this new, more powerful God who favored the Hebrew people had control everywhere AND over everything Correct - this is spelled out in one of the Old Testament books, though I can’t remember which. There was a series of battles between the Hebrews/Israelites and a neighboring tribe or country. The Hebrews won the first battle, which took place in the mountains (I think). So the other army said, roughly, “We lost because their god is a god of the mountains. Let’s attack them on the plain, where our god has dominion!” So they attacked the Hebrews on the plain, and got whupped again. Actually, I guess that was from the perspective of the other people, not the Hebrews, though it doesn’t surprise me that the Hebrews may have thought the same way. ---
**Author:** ![raindog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/2bfe46/32.png) [@raindog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/raindog)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2007, 4:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/first-commandment-suggestion-of-polytheism/401238/5 "2007-04-23T04:31:03Z")
> [@](#): > > **enigm4tic** : of particular interest may be > > > [@](#): > > > > Originally Posted by enigm4tic: **Genesis 1:26** > > And God said, let us make man in our image. > > apparently, the image of “the gods”, not “A god” Apparently is right. The text does not say that God is plural—it says _“let us make man in our image.”_ It simply indicates that God was not alone during the creation of man. The context of the bible indicates that the creation of the angels, and Jesus Christ (in his pre-human form) pre-dated the creation of Adam and Eve. Further, Jesus is shown to be God’s “master worker”, the “firstborn of all creation” and present during th creation of man. That Jesus and the angels were made “in God’s image” is hardly a revelation (pun intended) given that man was also. It is entirely reasonable to infer that Jesus Christ was firmly established as God’s son, and master worker, for millions of years perhaps, before man was created. This fact, and the reality that the creation of angels predated Adam, simply suggests that God utilized the assistance of his son (too made in God’s image) for the creation of man. At any rate, this text does not indicate that God is plural unless you put words in the author’s mouth _that he simply did not say._ > [@](#): > > explicitly acknowledges that there _are_ other gods, but that they aren’t as good. Uh, no. The gods indicated in the bible are always depicted as man-made—and powerless. The Sovereign Lord Jehovah is exclusively credited with the creation of the universe, the angels, the earth and it’s environment, humans and the list goes on. Because men were/are willing to craft a god doesn’t mean that they are legitimate. So it isn’t simply a matter of “not as good”, as if the God of the Israelites was simply ‘better’ or ‘stronger’. Rather, they were seen as invalid, frauds, and man-made creations without sentience. > [@](#): > > Actually now that I’m thinking about this, I read a book once called _the History of God_ that explained that originally the Hebrews didn’t think that Yahweh was the “only” god, merely the most powerful. the explanation, I believe, centered around the belief that most Gods only had sway in a certain geographic area, or over a certain type of element, and that this new, more powerful God who favored the Hebrew people had control everywhere AND over everything, and all he wanted in return was the same sort of worship you’d normally accord a God and a covenant not to worship the lesser gods, a pretty good rate of return, one would think Is this consistent with the bible record as to how the Israelites viewed Jehovah God? No, it is not. ---
**Author:** ![cmkeller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cmkeller/32/118_2.png) [@cmkeller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cmkeller)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2007, 4:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/first-commandment-suggestion-of-polytheism/401238/6 "2007-04-23T04:47:24Z")
TV Time: > [@](#): > > This to me suggested that there is an acceptance of other gods, just that they are in, at best, second place. In a sense. The Jewish understanding of idolatry is not that the powers worshipped by other peoples didn’t exist at all, but that they are not the _ultimate_ power, they have no power independently of the capabilities G-d built into them, like any other creature. Idolatry is the worship of the natural or supernatural forces that G-d created in the world to perform certain functions, and the second (as Jews reckon them) commandment tells Jews not to worship such intermediaries, but to worship only G-d himself, directly. ---
**Author:** ![raindog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/2bfe46/32.png) [@raindog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/raindog)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2007, 5:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/first-commandment-suggestion-of-polytheism/401238/7 "2007-04-23T05:20:00Z")
[QUOTE=Phase42] I’ve also heard a theory that this was the Father speaking to the Son and the Holy Spirit. [/quote] > [@](#): > > Correct - this is spelled out in one of the Old Testament books, though I can’t remember which. There was a series of battles between the Hebrews/Israelites and a neighboring tribe or country. The Hebrews won the first battle, which took place in the mountains (I think). So the other army said, roughly, “We lost because their god is a god of the mountains. Let’s attack them on the plain, where our god has dominion!” So they attacked the Hebrews on the plain, and got whupped again. Actually, I guess that was from the perspective of the other people, not the Hebrews, though it doesn’t surprise me that the Hebrews may have thought the same way. Incorrect. Please cite the account for us. But you’ve basically answered this already. It is not a minor distinction that _the other army/nation_ believed that numerous [sentient] gods existed—and that their god might prevail in different terrain. It’s another thing entirely to say that the Jews (Hebrews) believed it as well. The Jews acknowledged the existence of other gods—to the extent they recognized that these gods were a source of veneration. Here too, they were seen as frauds; man made creations without power. They viewed their God as The Only True God. The book of Psalms describes a man who takes some wood and uses it to start a fire to warm himself and cook some food. The rest he uses to form an image that he bows down to as a god. The foolishness of this is clear. The texts conclude by saying anyone doing this will end up just like this god—lifeless. Elijah (iirc, and will cite if asked) challenged the worshippers of Baal to produce him, and went so far as to mock him—saying he was perhaps busy in the bathroom. The Israelites recognized that other gods existed, but not gods that had an objective existence and power outside of the pagan belief system that gave them the semblance of life. ---
**Author:** ![enigm4tic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7ba0ec/32.png) [@enigm4tic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/enigm4tic)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2007, 5:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/first-commandment-suggestion-of-polytheism/401238/8 "2007-04-23T05:24:00Z")
[QUOTE=the raindog] Apparently is right. The text does not say that God is plural—it says _“let us make man in our image.”_ It simply indicates that God was not alone during the creation of man. The context of the bible indicates that the creation of the angels, and Jesus Christ (in his pre-human form) pre-dated the creation of Adam and Eve. Further, Jesus is shown to be God’s “master worker”, the “firstborn of all creation” and present during th creation of man. That Jesus and the angels were made “in God’s image” is hardly a revelation (pun intended) given that man was also. It is entirely reasonable to infer that Jesus Christ was firmly established as God’s son, and master worker, for millions of years perhaps, before man was created. This fact, and the reality that the creation of angels predated Adam, simply suggests that God utilized the assistance of his son (too made in God’s image) for the creation of man. [/quote] but the angels were in many beastial forms as well: I suppose that the counter-argument is that he was talking to the human-shaped ones > [@](#): > > At any rate, this text does not indicate that God is plural unless you put words in the author’s mouth _that he simply did not say._ Erm, I’m not putting words in anybody’s mouth. In fact, you’re the one assuming that God was speaking to an unnamed cohort, unless you have a cite to show that God was speaking specifically to human shaped angels and Jesus. > [@](#): > > Uh, no. The gods indicated in the bible are always depicted as man-made—and powerless. The Sovereign Lord Jehovah is exclusively credited with the creation of the universe, the angels, the earth and it’s environment, humans and the list goes on. Because men were/are willing to craft a god doesn’t mean that they are legitimate. So it isn’t simply a matter of “not as good”, as if the God of the Israelites was simply ‘better’ or ‘stronger’. Rather, they were seen as invalid, frauds, and man-made creations without sentience. > [@](#): > > Exodus 12:12 > And against all the gods of Egypt I will execute judgment. seems to refute that… and Joshua > [@Joshua 24:14](#): > > “Now fear the LORD and serve him with all faithfulness. Throw away the gods your forefathers worshiped beyond the River and in Egypt, and serve the LORD. 15 But if serving the LORD seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your forefathers served beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD.” (as well as the following passages) never seem to indicate that these are not actually “Gods”, merely not the God these particular people (the isrealites) are worshipping) > [@](#): > > Is this consistent with the bible record as to how the Israelites viewed Jehovah God? > > No, it is not. Cite? ---
**Author:** ![Quartz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quartz/32/267_2.png) [@Quartz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quartz)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2007, 7:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/first-commandment-suggestion-of-polytheism/401238/9 "2007-04-23T07:42:27Z")
[QUOTE=Diogenes the Cynic] Henotheism, not polytheism, but yeah, it was a tacit acknowledgement that other gods existed. [/QUOTE] Umm… surely it’s a tacit acknowledgement that people worshipped other gods, not that those gods existed? A nice, but significant distinction. ---
**Author:** ![Mister\_Rik](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mister_rik/32/491_2.png) [@Mister\_Rik](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mister_Rik)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2007, 9:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/first-commandment-suggestion-of-polytheism/401238/10 "2007-04-23T09:44:21Z")
[QUOTE=the raindog] Incorrect. Please cite the account for us. [/quote] Like I said, I don’t recall precisely where the account appears. I want to say it’s in Joshua someplace, but I’m not sure. > [@](#): > > But you’ve basically answered this already. It is not a minor distinction that _the other army/nation_ believed that numerous [sentient] gods existed—and that their god might prevail in different terrain. > > It’s another thing entirely to say that the Jews (Hebrews) believed it as well. The Jews acknowledged the existence of other gods—to the extent they recognized that these gods were a source of veneration. Here too, they were seen as frauds; man made creations without power. They viewed their God as The Only True God. I understand this. I must have been thinking of something else, like the very early pre-Moses Hebrews. ---
**Author:** ![Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e99b99/32.png) [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diogenes_the_Cynic)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2007, 1:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/first-commandment-suggestion-of-polytheism/401238/11 "2007-04-23T13:35:56Z")
[QUOTE=Quartz] Umm… surely it’s a tacit acknowledgement that people worshipped other gods, not that those gods existed? A nice, but significant distinction. [/QUOTE] No, they originally believed that other gods existed. All the archaeological evidence shows that the Israelites didn’t become truly monotheistic until fairly late in the game. Their religious practices grew first out of Canaanite beliefs (from the same pantheon), then became henothestic (oher gods exist but our god’s better), then strictly monotheistic. In pre-exhilic times, Yahweh even had a girlfriend goddess named Asherah. There are woodens statues and inscriptions identifying Asherah as Yahweh’s consort. ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2007, 1:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/first-commandment-suggestion-of-polytheism/401238/12 "2007-04-23T13:46:49Z")
There’s a theory that Yahweh was originally not worshipped alone, but together with two or three goddess-wives. From Chapter 1 of the novel _King Jesus,_ by Robert Graves (London: Cassell & Company, 1946): > [@](#): > > The fact [says Agabus the Decapolitan, writing in 93 A.D.] is that the Jews as a nation have persuaded themselves that they differ in one particular from all others that live on the shores of the Mediterranean Sea: namely, that they never owed any duty to the Great Triple moon-goddess who is generally reputed to have mothered the Mediterranean races, or to any other goddess or nymph whatsoever. This claim is untenable, for their sacred books preserve clear traces of their former attachment, notably in the accounts that they give of their heroes Adam, Noah, Abraham, Jacob and Moses. . . . [The Jews] have proclaimed Jehovah as the sole Ruler of the Universe and represented the Goddess as a mere demoness, witch, Queen of Harlots, succuba and prime mischief-maker. > > Jehovah, it seems clear, was once regarded as a devoted son of the Great Goddess, who obeyed her in all things and by her favour swallowed up a number of variously named rival gods and godlings . . . Later (if it is permitted to write in this style) he did exactly what his Roman counterpart, Capitoline Jove, has done: he formed a supernal Trinity in conjunction with two of the Goddess’s three persons, namely, Anatha of the Lions and Ashima of the Doves, the counterparts of Juno and Minerva; the remaining person, a sort of Hecate named Sheol, retiring to rule the infernal regions. Most Jews hold that she still reigns there, for they say, “Jehovah has no part in Sheol”, and quote the authority of the 115th Psalm: “The dead praise not Jehovah, nor do any that go down into silence.” . . . God without Goddess, the Romans and Greeks agree, is spiritual insufficiency; but this the Jews deny. > > In a somewhat obscene passage in the Book of the Prophet Ezekiel is to be found Jehovah’s bill of divorcement against his two partner-Goddesses, who are there named Aholah and Aholibah. Nevertheless, the Trinity continued undissolved in a Jewish Temple at Elephantine in Upper Egypt until five hundred years ago. Don’t know if anyone but Graves ever subscribed to this, but I’m sure he didn’t just make up all those names. ---
**Author:** ![Thudlow\_Boink](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thudlow_boink/32/320_2.png) [@Thudlow\_Boink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thudlow_Boink)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2007, 1:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/first-commandment-suggestion-of-polytheism/401238/13 "2007-04-23T13:50:27Z")
[QUOTE=the raindog] Uh, no. The gods indicated in the bible are always depicted as man-made—and powerless. [/QUOTE] I think this is correct. As far as I can remember, nowhere in the Bible is any other god said to actually _do_ anything (unless Satan in the book of Job counts as a “god”). Which doesn’t necessarily mean that the people at the time didn’t believe they were real. A modern interpretation of this commandment that I’ve seen frequently is that, if you’re a believer, God is supposed to come first. If your ultimate allegience is to money, or a totalitarian state, or another human being, or your own appetites, or whatever, then that’s your god “before Me,” and you’re breaking that commandment. This interpretation probably isn’t what it meant to the Israelites, but it is at least suggested by Jesus’s statement that “you cannot serve both God and Mammon.” ---
**Author:** ![flight](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/bbce88/32.png) [@flight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/flight)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2007, 3:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/first-commandment-suggestion-of-polytheism/401238/14 "2007-04-23T15:30:17Z")
[QUOTE=Thudlow Boink] I think this is correct. As far as I can remember, nowhere in the Bible is any other god said to actually _do_ anything (unless Satan in the book of Job counts as a “god”). Which doesn’t necessarily mean that the people at the time didn’t believe they were real. [/QUOTE] I always thought Exodus 7:10-13 showed other gods doing something. > [@Exodus](#): > > [sup]10[/sup] So Moses and Aaron went to Pharaoh and did just as the LORD commanded. Aaron threw his staff down in front of Pharaoh and his officials, and it became a snake. [sup]11[/sup] Pharaoh then summoned wise men and sorcerers, and the Egyptian magicians also did the same things by their secret arts: [sup]12[/sup] Each one threw down his staff and it became a snake. But Aaron’s staff swallowed up their staffs. [sup]13[/sup] Yet Pharaoh’s heart became hard and he would not listen to them, just as the LORD had said. It never actually says that another god did it, but where else would they get magical powers? ---
**Author:** ![Cervaise](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cervaise/32/16693_2.png) [@Cervaise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cervaise)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2007, 3:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/first-commandment-suggestion-of-polytheism/401238/15 "2007-04-23T15:38:34Z")
Hogwart’s? ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2007, 3:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/first-commandment-suggestion-of-polytheism/401238/16 "2007-04-23T15:51:33Z")
> [@Robert Graves](#): > > In a somewhat obscene passage in the Book of the Prophet Ezekiel is to be found Jehovah’s bill of divorcement against his two partner-Goddesses, who are there named Aholah and Aholibah. [Found it.](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aholah) > [@Robert Graves](#): > > Nevertheless, the Trinity continued undissolved in a Jewish Temple at Elephantine in Upper Egypt until five hundred years ago. BTW, does anybody know where Graves got this? I can find nothing about it [here](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elephantine) or [here.](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elephantine_papyri) ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2007, 3:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/first-commandment-suggestion-of-polytheism/401238/17 "2007-04-23T15:55:05Z")
[QUOTE=BrainGlutton] [Found it.](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aholah) [/QUOTE] Huh? That doesn’t say anything about God “divorcing” any goddesses. ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2007, 3:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/first-commandment-suggestion-of-polytheism/401238/18 "2007-04-23T15:56:52Z")
[QUOTE=John Mace] Huh? That doesn’t say anything about God “divorcing” any goddesses. [/QUOTE] I know, that’s just Graves’ interpretation. And “obscene” it is indeed! ---
**Author:** ![Thudlow\_Boink](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thudlow_boink/32/320_2.png) [@Thudlow\_Boink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thudlow_Boink)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2007, 4:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/first-commandment-suggestion-of-polytheism/401238/19 "2007-04-23T16:32:16Z")
[QUOTE=flight] I always thought Exodus 7:10-13 showed other gods doing something. It never actually says that another god did it, but where else would they get magical powers? [/QUOTE] Maybe they were the B.C. version of David Copperfield? ---
**Author:** ![enigm4tic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7ba0ec/32.png) [@enigm4tic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/enigm4tic)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2007, 5:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/first-commandment-suggestion-of-polytheism/401238/20 "2007-04-23T17:29:39Z")
[QUOTE=Phase42] Like I said, I don’t recall precisely where the account appears. I want to say it’s in Joshua someplace, but I’m not sure. [/quote] are you sure you aren’t referencing the same passages I’m talking about? Joshua 24 involves the covenant between Yahweh and the Jewish people. In particular, that Yahweh is _jealous_, and that worshipping other Gods would piss him off. Nowhere in that entire passage are these Gods refer to as false, powerless, or otherwise non-existent, merely that they shouldn’t be serving these other Gods, as they are now making a covenant to serve ONLY Yahweh, in return for his favor all over the earth. The concept of a “false” god doesn’t appear until Jeremiah, the early writings all seem to indicate the idea of true monotheism hadn’t even occurred to the early Israelites [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/first-commandment-suggestion-of-polytheism/401238.md?page=2)