List of references to religion in the Halo series

Bungie seems to have put many Biblical references in the Halo series, along with references to other cultures and legends. Here are some of the most obvious Biblical references.

The Covenant
Most Biblical references in Halo are related to the Covenant. The Covenant Forerunners created the Ark, an obvious reference to the Ark of the Covenant that holds the ten Commandments in the book of Exodus. The Ark was also a refuge from the Flood, just as Noah's ark was a refuge for the only survivors of the Great Flood in Genesis. It is believed that the prophets and the battle of High Charity are a reference to the book of Revelation, judging by the following verses found in Revelation 11:5-10:

5. And if any man will hurt them, fire proceedeth out of their mouth, and devoureth their enemies: and if any man will hurt them, he must in this manner be killed.

6. These have power to shut heaven, that it rain not in the days of their prophecy: and have power over the waters to turn them to blood, and to smite the earth with plagues, as often as they will.

7. And when they shall have finished their testimony, the beast that ascendeth out of the bottomless pit shall make [war against them, and shall overcome them, and kill them.

8. And their dead bodies shall lie in the street of the great city, which spiritually is called Sodom and Egypt, where also our Lord was crucified.

9. And they of the people and kindreds and tongues and nations shall see their bodies three days and an half, and shall not suffer their dead bodies to be put in graves.

10. And they that dwell upon the earth shall rejoice over them, and make merry, and shall send gifts one to another; because these two prophets tormented them that dwelt on the earth.

The "days of their prophecy" is the 9th Age of Reclamation, the final Age in Halo. The "beast that ascendeth out of the bottomless pit" is the Gravemind. The "great city" is High Charity. The "people and kindreds and tongues and nations" are the Covenant, while "they that dwell upon the earth" are the UNSC and the human race. The two prophets that die are Mercy and Regret, although it is important to note that the Bible only mentions two prophets in this selection instead of the multiple prophets of Halo.

Master Chief
Most Biblical references relating to Master Chief are not quite as certain as the Covenant references, but there are still a few that seem likely. Two examples come Revelation, formally called The Revelation of Saint John the Divine. The first is from Revelation 1:17-18 NIV (the 1:17 is thought to be linked to Master Chief's name, John 117).

''When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead. Then he placed his right hand on me and said: "Do not be afraid. I am the First and the Last. I am the Living One; I was dead, and behold I am alive for ever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and Hades."''

The "First and the Last" comment may be referencing that the Master Chief was the first Spartan to be studied by Dr. Halsey. This coupled with the fact that the game manuals continuously refer to the Master Chief as the last Spartan, makes him the first and the last.

The next is from Revelation 11:17, another reference to John 117. This verse was also part of the battle of High Charity reference, showing it may have some importance to Bungie and the Halo story.

And when they shall have finished their testimony, the beast that ascendeth out of the pit shall make war against them, and shall overcome them, and kill them.

1 John 1:7 fits the name better, and goes like this:

But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ cleanses us from all sin.

However, 1 John 2:17 fits the story better:

And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever.

These are less likely to be references:

''Then after that saith he to his disciples, Let us go into Judaea again. Gospel of John, 11:7''

''For the law was given by Moses, [but] grace and truth came by Jesus Christ. Gospel of John, 1:17''

The second of these could relate to the Ark, because the Ark of the Covenant contained the laws given to Moses by God, but this is a stretch.