The 1998 film Blade isn’t just a vampire action flick; it subtly weaves in elements of mythology and hidden knowledge, particularly through the enigmatic Book of Erebus. This ancient text, central to the film’s plot, raises a fascinating question: Who In The Bible Would Erebus Be Compared To? While Erebus originates from Greek mythology as the personification of darkness, exploring biblical figures that embody similar concepts can enrich our understanding of the vampire lore presented in Blade.
In Blade, the Book of Erebus serves as a vampire bible, a repository of forgotten prophecies and power. The villain, Deacon Frost, seeks to translate and exploit this text to unleash a destructive force upon humanity. This narrative device of a hidden, powerful ancient text is a common trope, but the name “Erebus” pulls from a deeper mythological well.
Erebus in Greek mythology is primordial darkness, born from Chaos. He represents the obscurity and shadow that existed before light and order. Directly comparing Erebus to a single biblical figure is challenging because the Bible doesn’t have a one-to-one equivalent of a primordial god of darkness in the same way Greek mythology does. However, we can draw parallels to figures and concepts that embody darkness, rebellion, and opposition to divine order.
One possible comparison could be Lucifer. Initially an angel of light, Lucifer’s fall from grace led him to become Satan, the embodiment of evil and darkness in opposition to God. Like Erebus, who represents primordial darkness, Lucifer is associated with a spiritual darkness, a separation from divine light. Deacon Frost, in his pursuit of power through the Book of Erebus, mirrors Lucifer’s ambition and rebellion against established order, in this case, both vampire and human society.
Another avenue for comparison lies in the concept of the serpent in the Garden of Eden. While not darkness personified, the serpent represents deception, hidden knowledge used for malevolent purposes, and the introduction of chaos into a harmonious world. The Book of Erebus, in Blade, functions similarly. It’s a source of forbidden knowledge that, in the wrong hands, can corrupt and destroy. Just as the serpent tempted Eve with knowledge that led to humanity’s fall, the Book of Erebus tempts Deacon Frost with power that threatens to overturn the world.
The film itself enhances this sense of hidden, ancient power through its depiction of the vampire archive. Hidden beneath a nightclub, accessible through a secret industrial fridge, the archive is a modern data center containing ancient secrets. This juxtaposition of old and new emphasizes the timeless nature of the knowledge contained within, much like biblical texts are considered timeless and enduring.
The archivist character, though comically portrayed, further underlines the idea of gatekeepers of ancient knowledge. He possesses the ability to access and interpret the Book of Erebus, highlighting the specialized knowledge required to understand such texts, much like biblical scholars and theologians interpret scripture.
In conclusion, while Erebus doesn’t have a direct counterpart in the Bible, comparing him thematically to figures like Lucifer or the serpent, and concepts of darkness and forbidden knowledge, provides a richer understanding of the Book of Erebus’s role in Blade. The film uses the name “Erebus,” rooted in primordial darkness, to evoke a sense of ancient, powerful, and potentially destructive knowledge, echoing themes found in biblical narratives about temptation, rebellion, and the eternal struggle between light and darkness. This subtle mythological and perhaps even biblical resonance elevates Blade beyond a simple action film, inviting viewers to consider the deeper implications of hidden knowledge and the figures who seek to wield it.
