In popularizing these theories, as well as others not SO far-reach ing, that arose in Germany, certain American and English scholars resorted to all kinds of efforts to pare them down so as to make them more palatable: by making the borrowings early instead Of late, proposing that when Israel entered Palestine they were part Of the mental possession of the people; or by making it appear that these Babylonian myths were Simply used in a devotional way to illustrate ethical implications, or as media for the expression of a more spiritual faith. In many quarters, scholars gravitated toward this theory; and it was conceded generally that there was a considerable dependence upon Babylonia. Re?ections of these revolutionary ideas ?ared up almost everywhere.