Board Thread:Lore Discussion/@comment-5443967-20131118115203

Because this discussion involves real-world religious beliefs, I want to start it off by making a couple things clear. First and foremost, the purpose of this thread is to discuss similarities between the Nerevarine prophecy as presented in TES III: Morrowind and beliefs regarding Jesus of Nazareth, the central figure of Christianity, because I find the parallels to be rather interesting. In no way is this a discussion about interpretations of real world religious beliefs, nor whether any system of beliefs is “true” or “false.” Anything I say on the subject of religious beliefs is said with the utmost of respect, and I expect the same of anyone else who contributes to this discussion.

"Nazarene is a title applied to Jesus, who, according to the New Testament, grew up in Nazareth, a town in Galilee, now in northern Israel." wikipedia.org

It was simply noticing the phonetic similarities between the two titles "Nerevarine" and "Nazarene" that led me to consider further similarities between the two religious figures, and I found there to be numerous parallels. I'd like to share some of my findings, and see what further insights you all can offer. All information regarding the Nerevarine comes from this wiki; I neglected to keep track of what information came from which specific page, for which I apologize.

One last note: When I first post this, I’m just going to provide my source material; personal commentary and explanations will be added later. ________________________________________________________________________________________Nerevarine 

According to the prophecy, “A prisoner born on a certain day to uncertain parents” would be sent, under guard, to Morrowind, would overcome numerous trials, and, eventually, unite the province and cast down the Tribunal as false gods. The first trial suggests that the Nerevarine would be an unknown person, born on a specific day.

 Nazarene 

"All those the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never drive away. For I have come down from heaven not to do my will but to do the will of him who sent me. They [the Jews] said, 'Is this not Jesus, the son of Joseph, whose father and mother we know? How can he now say, "I came down from heaven"?'" (John 6:37-42 [NIV]) ________________________________________________________________________________________ Nerevarine  

The second trial speaks of a seemingly unique and great power of the incarnate, being immune to all disease and even aging (Corprus, also known as the Curse-of-Flesh, does grant these traits, at the expense of the victims sanity and appearance, to say the least).

 Nazarene 

“So will it be with the resurrection of the dead. The body that is sown is perishable, it is raised imperishable; it is sown in dishonor, it is raised in glory; it is sown in weakness, it is raised in power; it is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body.” (1 Corinthians 15:42-44 [NIV]) ________________________________________________________________________________________ Nerevarine 

The third trial is, at first glance, somewhat puzzling, but it is now known that the Nerevarine traveled to a hidden shrine known as the "Cavern of the Incarnate," was acknowledged as Nerevar's reincarnation, and was blessed with his legendary ring, "Moon-and-Star," or "One-Clan-Under-Moon-And-Star," which, besides giving bonuses to Speechcraft and Personality, gave Nerevar unmistakable identity, as anyone besides him who tried to wear the ring would die instantly.

 Nazarene  

“Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judæa in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem, Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him. ..

When they had heard the king, they departed; and, lo, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was. When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy.” (Matthew 1:1-2, 9-10 [KJV]) ________________________________________________________________________________________ Nerevarine  

The fourth and fifth trials are quite similar, and detail the Nerevarine's duty and ability to unite all of Morrowind to their cause. The four civilized Ashlander tribes would all acknowledge him as 'Nerevarine' and the Three Great Houses of Morrowind (Hlaalu, Redoran, and Telvanni) would name him 'Hortator', a title given to a leader of the people of Morrowind during wartime/great emergencies. Both refer to the 'stranger', so the Nerevarine could not be born into either the Ashlander tribes or Great Houses, making him/her an outsider (foreigner, or, as the Nerevarine is commonly referred to as in-game, "outlander").

 Nazarene  

“Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” (Philippians 2:9-11 [NIV])

“I have sworn by my own name; I have spoken the truth, and I will never go back on my word: Every knee will bend to me, and every tongue will confess allegiance to me." (Isaiah 45:23 [NLT]) ________________________________________________________________________________________ Nerevarine 

The sixth trial suggests that the Nerevarine would learn all that could be learned of the history of Nerevar and his time, and would pity and understand the plight of the 'tribe unmourned', which could either refer to House Dagoth (as suggested in a conversation in Morrowind) or the Dwemer, or possibly both. At the realisation of the Nerevarine Prophecies, the Nerevarine defeats his old friend Dagoth Ur and "destroys" the Heart of Lorkhan that corrupted him and the Tribunal, ending the Blight and the Tribunal's false godhood. He/she, besides understanding and mourning them, would right the wrongs they had brought upon the world and thus release them from sin and honor their memory.

 Nazarene  

I actually don’t have anything for this one yet. How about you? ________________________________________________________________________________________ Nerevarine  

The seventh trial almost undeniably points to the disappearance of the Tribunal at the end of the Third Era, as the Nerevarine had severed their source of divinity.

 Nazarene 

Not much on this one yet, though I have some ideas I’ll add shortly. ___________________________________________________________________________________

So, that’s what I have for now, but I’ll add more information as I find it. I look forward to seeing what you all have to say. 