But might it not be the Intelligible object itself? No: for the Intelligible makes an equally inseparable duality with the Intellectual-Principle. Enneads III,8,9
If, then, neither the Intellectual-Principle nor the INTELLIGIBLE OBJECT can be the First Existent, what is? Our answer can only be: The source of both. Enneads III,8,9
The INTELLIGIBLE OBJECT is the Intellectual-Principle itself in its repose, unity, immobility: the Intellectual-Principle, contemplator of that object – of the Intellectual-Principle thus in repose is an active manifestation of the same Being, an Act which contemplates its unmoved phase and, as thus contemplating, stands as Intellectual-Principle to that of which it has the intellection: it is Intellectual-Principle in virtue of having that intellection, and at the same time is Intellectual Object, by assimilation. Enneads III,9,1