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  • Subject: Biblical References
Subject: Biblical References
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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]

  • 07.11.2006 10:03 PM PDT
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Location: Outlaws' Summit.

niiiiceee

id get into it but i gots work

but from what ive read its very solid, excellent job

  • 07.11.2006 10:10 PM PDT
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tooo much time on hands......AHHHH

o_0

  • 07.11.2006 10:10 PM PDT
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Posted by: Dual Metals
tooo much time on hands......AHHHH

o_0

Actually this took me about an hour to put together. I work quickly.

  • 07.11.2006 10:12 PM PDT

I'll have you know
that I've become
Indestructible!

I was wondering when someone was going to bring up Deuteronomy 33:29.

  • 07.12.2006 5:21 AM PDT
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really good points there but dont make the mistake of refering to gravemind as a being that controls or determines the floods actions because thats not what he is at all, he is simply the accumalated minds of all those the flood have infected, hence 'grave-mind'.

  • 07.12.2006 5:40 AM PDT

Wiplash ll7, bow chica bow wow

good idea but maybe a bit too in depth

  • 07.12.2006 5:55 AM PDT

I'll have you know
that I've become
Indestructible!

when is something too in depth?

  • 07.12.2006 6:21 AM PDT

Wiplash ll7, bow chica bow wow

cos i doubt tha bungie read thge bbible for inspiration 4 g3

  • 07.12.2006 6:22 AM PDT

I'll have you know
that I've become
Indestructible!

They did for halo 1 and 2, why not 3?

  • 07.12.2006 6:34 AM PDT

Posted by: LIME31
I got his sarcasm...one person has to implement sarcasm and then you get a pile of terrorist chipmunks crashing your party, not fun at all..

One of the few reasons I love these forums is because people make these connections and present them for us. Nice find and keep up the great work!!!

  • 07.12.2006 6:54 AM PDT
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Posted by: merboo
really good points there but dont make the mistake of refering to gravemind as a being that controls or determines the floods actions because thats not what he is at all, he is simply the accumalated minds of all those the flood have infected, hence 'grave-mind'.

True, but maybe he grew to be the Flood's leader.

Posted by: whoppersandwich
One of the few reasons I love these forums is because people make these connections and present them for us. Nice find and keep up the great work!!!

Thanks. Will do. I'm off to Boston!

  • 07.12.2006 8:24 AM PDT
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Posted by: IceWeasel
They did for halo 1 and 2, why not 3?
To my knowledge, they didn't do this as much in Halo 1. Sure, there were the covenant and the flood. And 117. But meh, those were words.

The flood's true meaning just implies that they pour into the battlefield endlessly. That description suits them well.

And the number 7 is not a biblical number, it was used a ton of times in ancient history before the bible was even written.

  • 07.12.2006 8:43 AM PDT
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Thats pretty cool

  • 07.12.2006 8:54 AM PDT
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Posted by: IceWeasel
I was wondering when someone was going to bring up Deuteronomy 33:29.

Thats one haven't heard I am glad too you brought that up...

  • 07.12.2006 9:04 AM PDT

I'll have you know
that I've become
Indestructible!

Posted by: Vitamin Zawaz
Posted by: IceWeasel
They did for halo 1 and 2, why not 3?
To my knowledge, they didn't do this as much in Halo 1.

Not as much, sure. But we agree it was there since the beginning, right?

Also, don't forget the "Truth and Reconciliation".
In an interview (I think with Marty) it was confirmed that name came from the Bible as well (pointing to Jesus). Don't forget the Cortana letters...

  • 07.12.2006 11:41 AM PDT
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DMUKYA
Proud member of Eagle 117's theory group, The Watchers
Another great theorist group is Avignon
Interested in the mysteries within all of Bungie's games? Check out Theory of Unification
For the Biblical allegorist in you, there's מִכְמַן
Enjoy reading or writing sci-fi or fantasy? Come to New Horizons

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.
This is really all that I disagree with. The Dragon in Revelation is Satan. A very long time ago Eagle 117 tried to connect Gravemind with Satan and Eric Trautmann said he was flat-out wrong. Plus, that verse in Revelation takes place later on. If that were to happen in Halo, I think it would take place some time in Halo 3.

[Edited on 7/12/2006]

  • 07.12.2006 12:04 PM PDT

I'll have you know
that I've become
Indestructible!

Posted by: Ender
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.
This is really all that I disagree with. The Dragon in Revelation is Satan. A very long time ago Eagle 117 tried to connect Gravemind with Satan and Eric Trautmann said he was flat-out wrong. Plus, that verse in Revelation takes place later on. If that were to happen in Halo, I think it would take place some time in Halo 3.

Do you have a link to where Trautmann said that?

  • 07.12.2006 12:44 PM PDT
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DMUKYA
Proud member of Eagle 117's theory group, The Watchers
Another great theorist group is Avignon
Interested in the mysteries within all of Bungie's games? Check out Theory of Unification
For the Biblical allegorist in you, there's מִכְמַן
Enjoy reading or writing sci-fi or fantasy? Come to New Horizons

Indeed I do.

  • 07.12.2006 1:40 PM PDT
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I think Bungie does use a lot of biblical referencing for philosophical depth and to make things sound ominous and intelligent.

But as far as the reference to the Great Flood in Genesis as being the inspiration for the Halo Flood. That seems too far fetched.

  • 07.12.2006 1:47 PM PDT
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DMUKYA
Proud member of Eagle 117's theory group, The Watchers
Another great theorist group is Avignon
Interested in the mysteries within all of Bungie's games? Check out Theory of Unification
For the Biblical allegorist in you, there's מִכְמַן
Enjoy reading or writing sci-fi or fantasy? Come to New Horizons

I would belive that the Biblical Flood is analogous to the first firing of the Halos instead of the Flood we meet in Halo. They seem to be some representation of sin and the effects of sin.

  • 07.12.2006 1:50 PM PDT
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Our entire society is based on the teachings and events of the Bible. Stories from the Bible trickle into most mythologies.

Star Wars: Anakin's virgin birth followed by his death (Vader) and ressurection (saving Luke from the Emperor).

The Matrix: He is the One the prophecy spoke of that would return to free human kind. When he dies at the end of Matrix Revolution, he is carried off, lying in a crucifix pose.

Superman: Jarel sends his only son, Kalel to lead mankind to good. In the most recent movie he floats in space in the crucifix position before falling to Earth. On top of that, Kal-El is an angelic name.

Need I go on?

The most obvious correlation between Halo and the Bible is the obvious "Ark Protector From the Flood" analogy. No matter how much some one would like to argue it is not related, it's pretty obvious. Other than that, I don't see it. The Locust out of the Abyss are demons, given the right to torture humans. They are not a race of sickness and evil. To make that comparison is a stretch.

  • 07.12.2006 2:16 PM PDT
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Wierd...

  • 07.12.2006 2:21 PM PDT
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Posted by: IceWeasel
Posted by: Vitamin Zawaz
Posted by: IceWeasel
They did for halo 1 and 2, why not 3?
To my knowledge, they didn't do this as much in Halo 1.

Not as much, sure. But we agree it was there since the beginning, right?

Also, don't forget the "Truth and Reconciliation".
In an interview (I think with Marty) it was confirmed that name came from the Bible as well (pointing to Jesus). Don't forget the Cortana letters...
Yeah, it's just a name, though. That's what I mean; in Halo 1, there aren't any biblical parallels except for a few names.

As for the Cortana letters, well, I haven't read those.

  • 07.12.2006 3:09 PM PDT