Hymir

Hymir, the wise, was a giant and according to the Hymiskviða father of Tyr (only in this saga, elsewehere he's always called son of Odin). Another translation of the mentioned stanza, where Tyr himself calles Hymir his father, changes "father" into "grand-father".
He dwelled at the end of heaven, to the east of the Elivagar and had a cattle which had a mile in depth.

Hymir's mother was a nine hundred-headed giantess, but his wife (in the manuscript there were no names given to them) was a fair woman, maybe of the race of the gods (?).

Once Tyr and Thor went to Hymir's home to receive his cattle and bring it to Aegir, so he could brew the ale for the gods. They came to Hymir's home, when he was still hunting, and were called welcome by his wife and mother. They plead them to hide, 'till Hymir's mother explained to her son the situation. But when Hymir came home he immediately found them and invited them. He felt very bad when he saw the, let's say greates enemy of the giants, but nevertheless invited them and ate with them.
The next day Hymir and Thor went to go fishing for the next meal. Thor took the head of an ox and fastened it to his fishing hook. After a little while the serpent Jörmungand was catched by Thor with his hoo. He pulled and stroke it with his hammer Mjölnir. But the giant Hymir cuts the line with his bait-knife and the serpent sinks into the sea.

Back at Hymir's home Tyr and Thor took the cattle and escaped. Hymir and some Jötunn pursued them, but were all killed by Thor.

 

Poetic Edda: Hymiskviða, Lokasenna
Prose Edda: Gylfaginning XLVIII; Skáldskaparmál XI, XXX; Nafnaþulur VI

 

Old Norse: Hymir
Meaning: Unknown. Maybe it is related to himinn "heaven".

 

 

 

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