9317. Thou shalt not bow down thyself to their gods. That this signifies that falsities of evil are not to be worshiped, is evident from the signification of “bowing down oneself” as being adoration and worship (see n. 4689); and from the signification of the “gods of the nations,” as being the falsities of evil (n. 4544, 7873, 8867, 9283). The falsities of evil are worshiped when worship is done according to a doctrine made up of falsified truths and adulterated goods. This is done when rule and profit are regarded as ends, and truths from the Word as means.