What do vampires, ghosts, and blood-sucking demons have in common? It turns out, these myths and creatures not only have connections in literature and film, but are in fact mentioned in the Bible. From an academic perspective, it can be argued that some biblical verses allude to vampires, ghostly figures, and other demonic creatures.
Stemming from the original Hebrew and Greek languages, a majority of English Bible translations do not include the words ‘vampire’ or ‘vampire-like’. Therefore, the specific references to vampires in the Bible are more subtle.
The biblical scholars who maintain that vampires have a biblical connection, point to the ancient birth of Nephalim. In Genesis 6:4, the Nephilim are described as the offspring of ‘the sons of God’ and ‘the daughters of men.’ Some scholars believe that since these offspring have eternal life, they may have been transformed or cursed into vampires.
The Vampire and the Bible debate dates back to the 19th Century. Comparatively modern translations of the passages in question at least clearly allude to these creatures. The King James Version, for example, of Leviticus 17:11 reads “it [the creature that drinks the blood] shall be even an unclean thing”. This particular interpretation suggests the nature of a vampire, a creature that lives off the blood of others and increases its own life-force.
In the mid-19th Century, some theologians gave further credibility to ‘the Vampire and the Bible’ movement after the English translation of the Septuagint was released. The Septuagint Bible is a Greek translation of the Hebrew Bible, and some translations of the ancient text describe the Nephilim as an ‘evil being’ or ‘eprouver’, the French word for supernatural.
It is clear that biblical scholars have provided considerable evidence that vampires can be found in the Bible. This collection of verses has been used in literature, film and art alike to create the eternally beloved characters of popular culture.
Are Vampires Linked To Pagan Beliefs?
The vampire myth is heavily associated with pre-Christian folk tales, specifically those in Eastern Europe where they were known as ‘upir’. In Celtic mythology, a character known as Lliam of the Blood Drinking is described as having an unending thirst for human blood, and the belief of these vampires were perpetuated in Pagan religions.
Paganism is the belief in multiple gods, a practice that does not coincide with the beliefs of Christianity and the monotheistic God. Therefore, theologians have used Christian biblical verses seen to discuss vampires as a way of defending the practices of the one true religion. This can be seen as an effort of Christian authorities attempting to replace a traditional spiritual belief in vampires with a non-supernatural explanation.
Similar to the Bible, vampire-like creatures are also found in ancient Egyptian, Mesopotamian and Greek texts. Most of these pagan beliefs have been long since abandoned, but some have been adapted and repurposed in the modern theology of some sects of the Christian religion.
It is of note that vampires have also been associated by some to the figure of Lilith, the so-called original first wife of Adam in Hebrew folklore. She is depicted as a seductress with unnatural powers, including the ability to fly as an owl and chase away incense fumes with her breath. It is claimed she would drink the blood of children, most notably newborn babies, to stay alive and this later became the origin of the modern vampire myth.
How Do Bible Passages Explain Vampires?
While the debate continues on whether or not there is a definite link between vampires and the Bible, some passages are particularly associated in this discussion. Romans 10:17 states “faith comes from hearing, and hearing the word of God”. This can be interpreted to mean that the supernatural power of vampires is only granted by the power of God, thus leaving them powerless against the holy power of the Bible.
Utilizing language from the Old Testament, in Isaiah 34:14, cruelties against evil spirits are described. The passage reads “the wild beasts of the desert shall also meet with the wild beasts of the island and the satyr shall cry to his fellow.” The term Satyr has been equated with vampires and other creature related to them due to similar behavior patterns between the two.
In the case of Baal, a deity found in the Old Testament, Baal was a god that was used in divination. This same god was believed to possess an ability to control the souls of the dead, by controlling the blood of blood drinkers. Along with the notion of blood drinkers, some biblical textual commentators have noted a clear connection between modern-day vampire mythology and the ancient idea of Baal.
An important section of the Old Testament is known as Deuteronomy, specifically Deuteronomy 12:29-32. Here the concept of blood-drinking demons is referred to. According to the passage, God is described as giving the power to fight these demons, expressively against vampiric attacks, as well as bestow blessings on those who fight against them.
Are Vampires A Part Of Modern Day Christianity?
Vampires in Christianity and the rest of society are seen differently today than in previous centuries. In generations past, a fear of vampires and other creatures born from the undead was pervasive and those in the church of congregations often took the lead in attempting to combat them.
In the 21st Century, popular culture and belief systems have, in many ways, created more sympathy for the existence of vampires. This is especially true in youth culture and the entertainment industry, where vampires have become romanticized characters and remain prominently found in popular films, TV shows, and other forms of cultural media.
The rise of vampire cults and groups has specifically been captured in recent films and novels. The idea of vampires as alternative spiritual masters, while certainly not mainstream, nods to a small but growing segment of alternative spirituality. The supernatural resurrection of Jesus Christ has been an important part of Christian theology since the beginning and has been used to make symbolic connections to vampires.
In this way, Christianity and vampires are connected, however only symbolically. In other words, the superpowers of vampires and Jesus link them in a spiritual fashion, although not necessarily in a literal one. Vlad the Impaler and Dracula were Christian princes, but there is no evidence that they practiced a faith in any manner related to modern Christianity.
What Is God’s Opinion On Vampires According To The Bible?
Ultimately, the Bible does not make any direct mention of vampires. However, there are certain passages that allude to the creature and its blood-sucking behavior. What is clear is that the Bible paints a picture of God being angered and disgusted at the existence of these creatures and his opinion is clear in verses such as Deuteronomy 32:17 which condemns them as “monsters of the night.”
The Bible’s attitude towards the existence of vampires is clear, but it is important to note that vampires are not seen as unambiguously evil in modern popular culture and literature. A perfect example of this is the character of Dracula and the romance novel ‘Interview with a Vampire.’ Both portray vampires as complex, compelling characters, adding further to the debate of whether or not vampires are found in the Bible.
Are Vampires Human-Like?
Although vampires have supernatural powers, many writers have considered them to possess certain emotions and feelings, such as love and anger. In her novel, ‘Interview With A Vampire’, Anne Rice portrays the character of Louis as a sympathetic character with emotions, opinions, and feelings that mirror those of humans.
From a theological perspective, some argue that vampires are not human and this is supported by verses in the Bible such as Isaiah 34:15 and Deuteronomy 32:17 which describe evil creatures who, crucially, do not have human characteristics.
In conclusion, theologians can debate on whether or not vampirism is a legitimate part of the Bible. While some feel that the creatures described in scripture match the classic descriptions of vampires, other religious authorities refute this, maintaining that the creatures in the Bible are not vampires.
Are Vampires Demonic?
The question of the existence of vampires in the Bible centers in large part on their origin. Some suggest that vampires have been around since the beginning of time, such as in the Genesis 6:4 passage which speaks of creatures known as the Nephilim. Other theories suggest that vampires, or at least the word ‘vampire’, originated as a Christian term, due to their supernatural power.
However, despite the word ‘vampire’ not being explicitly found in the Bible, some theologians argue that they are in fact manifestations of demonic forces. The idea here is that vampires have control over the dead and this is seen as a power equivalent to that of the devil in some interpretations.
Indeed, the vampire myth itself is grounded in the concept of demonic possession, with the origin story of Jesus being similar to that of a vampire in that he awakens from death with unusual and dangerous powers. Therefore, some argue that vampires should not be seen as a traditional monster, but rather as a representation of a devilish and uncontrollable force.
Vampirism and Exorcism
That said, a traditional interpretation of the Bible is that since vampires do not actually exist, exorcism is the only logical solution. Still, the relationship between vampirism and exorcism has been complicated by modern culture, due to its involvement in horror films such as ‘The Exorcist’.
This use of vampirism as a plot element has perpetuated the idea that vampires have religious or spiritual implications and it can be argued that exorcism is the only way to rid these creatures of their power. This idea of exorcism is seen in the New Testament as well, with Jesus often performing exorcisms of evil spirits.
In general, the Bible does not explicitly state that vampires exist, but it does allude to their existence in the form of demonic creatures and spiritual forces. Whether the Bible implies a true link between Christian beliefs and vampires is up for debate, but one thing is certain – vampires remain a popular part of modern mythology.
