7788. 'And bow down to me' means respect for God's truth generated by fear. This is clear from the representation of 'Moses' as God's truth, dealt with often; and from the meaning of 'bowing down' as self-abasement, but at this point as respect generated by fear since it is said of those immersed in evil. The expression 'respect generated by fear' is used because the evil do not have any respect for God's truth, not even for God Himself, other than that which is born in them out of fear. For those in hell love only themselves, and those who love only themselves have no respect for another. They focus onto themselves all respect due to others, even to God Himself. Where there is love there is respect; where there is no love there is no respect apart from that generated by fear. This explains why the evil in the next life suffer punishments, till eventually they do not dare to rise up against the good and molest them. For there are no other means that would deter them from doing evil than the fear of punishments.