Paul Atreides is a Nephilim

Thoughts on Dune

It has been some time since I last set digital pen to parchment, as my days have been consumed by various engagements of late. With the approach of Easter and the spirited fervor of the softball season, my musings have been momentarily set aside. I plan on getting back in the swing of things after Holy Week concludes. Recently, however, I chanced upon the viewing of “Dune II,” which sparked within me a profound contemplation.

In the world of Dune, Paul Atreides emerges as a figure reminiscent of the Nephilim.

Indeed, Frank Herbert's tale masterfully weaves the threads of symbolism reminiscent of the Nephilim throughout the fabric of Dune. For the uninitiated (spoilers abound), Paul Atreides embodies the fusion of House Atreides and House Harkonnen, the culmination of a millennia-spanning Bene Gesserit breeding endeavor. This grand design sought to bring forth the prophesied Kwisatz Haderach, blessed with prescient abilities to bridge time and space, rendering Paul a figure of transcendent essence, straddling the realms of humanity and the divine.

Furthermore, Paul's immersion among the Fremen, the societal outcasts dwelling on the barren plains of Arrakis, adds depth to his mythic stature. Over time, the Fremen come to perceive Paul as their Mahdi—a foretold messianic figure destined to lead them in a holy struggle against the imperial oppressors, heralding the dawn of a new era of prosperity (Also to be kept in mind is that this was planted through Bene Gesserit propaganda). This parallel with the marginal figures akin to giants and mythic heroes of antiquity resonates profoundly.

Adding yet another layer to this intricate tapestry is the mythological lineage of House Atreides, tracing its origins back to the legendary King Agamemnon of Greek lore. From the progenitor Tantalus, son of Zeus and the nymph Plouto, the Atreides lineage boasts a lineage steeped in divine heritage, echoing the notion of beings conceived by celestial decree.

In light of the biblical story and its symbolism, all of this makes a great deal of sense. Paul Atreides is a Nephilim from the edge of the world, who is very reminiscent of someone like Nimrod. You can find the story of Nimrod in the Table of Nations in Genesis 10-11. In the Jewish legends (the Book of Jasher), Nimrod rose to power and built Babel after receiving the Garments of Skin that were passed down from Adam and Eve. The Garments of Skin were a covering that held back death, so you begin to see this theme arise from the beginning of the Scriptures of trampling down death by death. In Jasher though, Nimrod uses the power of the skins to dominate others.

Likewise, Paul ascends to authority upon donning the garments of the Fremen—a stillsuit that sustains its wearer through the recycled moisture, be it from the individual or the fallen in battle. Upon acquiring these vestments, he is imbued with dominion, evolving into a god-like ruler, reminiscent of the potentates of the Ancient Near East.

I typically don’t like stories where the margin overtakes the center and there’s an attempt to subvert archetypal hero tropes. However, "Dune" presents a unique exception to this sentiment. In a world that loves to celebrate the overthrowing of established structures with themes of marginalized figures ascending to dominance, "Dune" serves as a poignant caution against placing our trust in marginal god-kings who are, essentially, the giants of antiquity in new guise.