13. The name of other gods. As a protection against idolatry, God’s people were not even to mention the names of heathen deities. This prohibition was based on the principle that familiarity with evil often leads to participation in it. Had this injunction been carried out, the danger of idolatry would have been wholly removed. It is significant that Moses himself rarely spoke the names of heathen gods. Later Bible writers and prophets were compelled to do so either as a record of the actual history of Israel or by way of denouncing idolatry. Modern advertisers know the value of the repetition of trade names, and deliberately plan to keep the name of their product before the public in one way or another. It would be well for everyone who desires to keep himself pure and holy to remember that expression deepens impression.