- last post: 01.01.0001 12:00 AM PDT
Preface
There is a connection between the Bible and Halo. This post attempts to put some of those connections together. This is not to say that there are other myths/legends/religions connected with the Halo series, because there definitely are. This is also not intended to offend non-Christians, nor is it intended as an attempt to convert anyone. This is simply what I see from what I know.
This post largely deals with the Book of Revelation. Spoilers ahead.
The Flood and Gravemind
Because it has become increasingly evident Bungie has drawn story from Revelation, I will offer a few connections.
Revelation 9:1-3; 7-11
1 The fifth angel sounded his trumpet, and I saw a star that had fallen from the sky to the earth. The star was given the key to the shaft of the Abyss. 2 When he opened the Abyss, smoke rose from it like the smoke from a gigantic furnace. The sun and sky were darkened by the smoke from the Abyss. 3 And out of the smoke locusts came down upon the earth and were given power like that of scorpions of the earth.
7 The locusts looked like horses prepared for battle. On their heads they wore something like crowns of gold, and their faces resembled human faces. 8 Their hair was like women's hair, and their teeth were like lions' teeth. 9 They had breastplates like breastplates of iron, and the sound of their wings was like the thundering of many horses and chariots rushing into battle. 10 They had tails and stings like scorpions, and in their tails they had power to torment people for five months. 11 They had as king over them the angel of the Abyss, whose name in Hebrew is Abaddon, and in Greek, Apollyon.
To me, and some others, this is pretty close to what the Flood are like. When the Flood are released and feed, they change the atmosphere. This is referenced in verse 2 when, “The sun and sky were darkened….” Of course, the most gruesome connection is the description of the locusts and its connection to the description of the Flood. Particularly interesting is verse 7, where it says, “…their faces resembled human faces.” When an infection form overtakes a human, it turns ugly, yet still resembles that human. This is not to mention the tails and stings like scorpions, resembling the Flood’s tentacles.
An interesting note is the comment, “they had power to torment people for five months,” from verse 10. The Flood are so “hungry” because they realize they exhaust their food supply in a short amount of time, and in that time the infected sapien is tortured in its own way.
As to the connection with Gravemind, it’s clear to me the connection with Apollyon/Abaddon, as he was the king of the locusts and Gravemind seems to be directing the Flood. Here’s another snippet:
Revelation 20:1-3
1 And I saw an angel coming down out of heaven, having the key to the Abyss and holding in his hand a great chain. 2 He seized the dragon, that ancient serpent, who is the devil, or Satan, and bound him for a thousand years. 3 He threw him into the Abyss, and locked and sealed it over him, to keep him from deceiving the nations anymore until the thousand years were ended. After that, he must be set free for a short time.
This seems to be a similar situation Gravemind was placed in. The “dragon” in the verses is bound for a thousand years, then loosed for a short time. In Halo 2, it seems Gravemind has been trapped for a long period of time until he got loose. Furthermore, it seems he is being quite deceptive to me. Do you really believe everything Gravemind has said?
Cortana
It is interesting to note the context of Cortana’s words:
I have walked the edge of the Abyss.
I have governed the unwilling.
I have witnessed countless empires break before me.
I have seen the most courageous soldiers fall away in fear.
[I was there with the Angel at the tomb]
I have seen your future.
And I have learned.
Now, either Bungie was making a direct Biblical reference in the vein of “The Covenant” or “The Flood,” or there is a subtle clue to something else. Perhaps Bungie meant us to look in Revelation for some guidance. Perhaps Cortana is referring to John-117 as the “Angel” and his initial encounter with the Flood or Gravemind. Still, an interesting reference indeed.
Deuteronomy 33:29
29 Blessed are you, O Israel!
Who is like you,
a people saved by the LORD ?
He is your shield and helper
and your glorious sword.
Your enemies will cower before you,
and you will trample down their high places.
That excerpt has more to do with Cortana's words. Perhaps she thinks of herself as a god now, as per her words, "It is a blurred line that lies at the edge of Godhood and Insanity. Guess which side of it I am on."
Random Connections
Although this has been brought up before, I feel compelled to note this again:
Revelation 11:19
19 Then God's temple in heaven was opened, and within his temple was seen the ark of his covenant. And there came flashes of lightning, rumblings, peals of thunder, an earthquake and a great hailstorm.
Again, the comparison has already been drawn, but this seems quite similar to the Halo 3 teaser video.
Here are some other verses that tie Halo to the Bible:
Genesis 7:7
7 And Noah and his sons and his wife and his sons' wives entered the ark to escape the waters of the flood.
That is all for now.
[Edited on 7/16/2006]