For one thing, among many ancient nations, idolatry was both common and without legal restraint from the authorities. That is, the law of the land did not prohibit such idolatry.
Daudzām senajām tautām elku pielūgsme bija neatņemama dzīves sastāvdaļa, un valdnieki to nekādi neierobežoja un nenosodīja, proti, attiecīgo zemju likumi neaizliedza elkdievību.