The use of Aleim, "the powerful Forces," in the plural, followed by the verb in the singular, is a Hebraism, and indicates the collective character of the forces as specially energized, sent forth, and directed by Jeove (Jeova or Jehovah is the Chaldaic form of the word, the original Hebrew being Jeove), who does not appear by name in this narrative, though, as we shall see, specially delegated power from some higher source is that characteristic which is most emphasized throughout the record. These forces are personified, as is usual in ancient records (and, indeed, in modern thought), but they are in reality the "powers of God." The author of the work above referred to says, "The idea of Moses was that there was a Supreme God ... and that He only acts by means of his agents called Aleim, the Gods, in the plural and indefinite number, or embassadors, or voices." The ancient belief in the unity of all forces in one creative individuality is also most clearly shown in some of the oldest Vedaic hymns of India (see Max Müller, "The Veda"). "Self (Atman) is the Lord of all things, Self is the King of all things. As all the spokes of a wheel are contained in the nave and the circumference, all things are contained in this Self; all selves are contained in this Self. Brahman (Force) itself is but Self." Of the religion of the ancient Egyptians (see "Evolution and Christianity," by J. F. York) it is said, "The chief theological characteristic of this first of all known civilized religions is the doctrine of the Divine Unity. As M. de Rougé says, 'One idea predominates, that of a single and primeval God; everywhere and always it is one substance, self-existent, and an unapproachable God.'" The Egyptian cosmogony, as the fragments have come down to us (see Professor Arnold Guyot, "Creation"), is as follows: 1. The original gaseous form, and the darkness of matter. 2. The successive transformations. 3. Light, as the first step in this development. 4. The separation of the waters below from the waters above the expanse. 5. Periods of development of indefinite length. 6. The sun, moon, and earth organized last.