Post 2: HAMILTON by Mia Sherlock

If you’re like me, you’ve become absolutely obsessed with the hit musical, “Hamilton: an American Musical”. Written by Lin-Manuel Miranda, this musical tells the story of our nation's humble beginnings through the eyes of Alexander Hamilton. I won’t give too much away, I’d rather you give the soundtrack a listen first. And while you're listening, here are some fun biblical references to keep your ears open for. 

Quote: “Everyone shall sit under their own vine and fig tree/ and no one shall make them afraid.”

Song: “One Last Time”

Having trouble seeing the reference here? The term, “vine and fig tree” is actually used three times in the Christian Bible. In the books of Micah, 1 Kings, and Zechariah. In biblical times, many people depended on personal agriculture to feed themselves and their families. People grew mostly what they needed to survive. Vines produce grapes, which were then made into wine, and figs were notoriously sweet and luxurious, almost like a dessert. 

Having a vine and fig tree of your OWN was a big deal, and scarcely happened. If you possessed your own vine and fig tree, you essentially had access to wine and dessert, two luxuries. It meant that you were relatively successful and worry free. When George Washington referenced this in his farewell address, it was his hope that he would leave the nation to sit under their own vines and fig trees, or, in other words, to reap the successes that they had sewn through the revolution. He imagined a nation in which all could collectively enjoy the many benefits of a free country. 

Quote: “We roll like Moses, claimin our promised land” 

Song: “My Shot” 

Recognize any names here? This song references the biblical figure, Moses who led his people out of bondage in Egypt and took them to the “promised land” which was actually Canaan. Moses does this after meeting God face to face on Mount Sinai in the book of Exodus.

Moses himself is one of the most prominent and referenced figures in the Christian Bible, but he is also a figure that is recognized in both the Islamic Faith and Jewish Faith. In both the New Testament of the Christian Bible and the Quran he is the most referenced prophet of God! It’s no wonder he is referenced in this production as well! 

Quote: “Watch this obnoxious, arrogant, loudmouth brother/ Be seated at the right hand of the father”

Song: “A Winter’s Ball”

Have you ever heard that Jesus was “seated at the right hand of The Father”? Well there are over 100 verses of scripture that describe Jesus being seated at the right hand of God/The Father. This is a way of saying that Jesus, in a way, God’s “right hand man”. In other words, Jesus and God work together for their people and to rule over the heavens. To be seated at anyone’s “right hand” meant that to them you were absolutely necessary, that you were crucial. 

Here, Hamilton is the one being seated at the right hand of George Washington, meaning that he was gaining favor with the president, and that he was deemed necessary to the revolution by President Washington himself. 

Quote: “1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9...It’s the ten duel commandments” 

Song: “Ten Duel Commandments”

As Christians we’ve surly all heard about The Ten Commandments. The Ten Commandments were given by God to Moses on Mount Sinai when they met face to face. The story is told in both the book of Exodus and Deuteronomy. However, The Ten Commandments are referenced throughout the Christian Bible multiple times and in many books. 

The Commandments lay out basic law for how to live a life close to God. Do not kill, love your neighbor as yourself, and so on. The Commandments are referenced in pop culture, often being known for being a basic guideline of how to go about living your life. Here we see them referenced in an effort to explain and illustrate the “basic laws” of dueling in the time of the American Revolution. 

These are just a couple of my favorite references. I encourage you to listen to the entire soundtrack and jot down as many references to Chirstianity/Biblical themes that you can! Need something to listen to next during quarantine? THIS is your new project!