Number of the Beast

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666.

The Number of the Beast is a concept from the Book of Revelation of the Christian Bible. The Number is 666 in most manuscripts of the Christian Bible, and in modern translations and critical editions of the Greek text. However, there is some doubt about the original reading; modern studies have shown that the earliest known manuscript of the Book of Revelation (from the 3rd century) used 616. One 11th century manuscript also shows 665. This topic is a source of contention for many church groups and theologians. Some scholars contend that the number 666 is a code for the Roman Emperor Nero and that 616 is a code for the Roman Emperor Caligula.

1 The Bible
2 Popular Culture
3 Numerology
4 ATS Discussion Threads
5 External Links

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The Bible

The Number of the Beast is described in the Book of Revelation 13:18. The original Greek translation reads

Here is wisdom. Let him that hath understanding count the number of the beast: for it is the number of a man; and his number is Six hundred threescore and six.''

Scholars such as Dr. Ellen Aitken, Dean of the Faculty of Religious Studies at McGill University, have speculated that the reference to this passage was a way of speaking in code about then contemporary figures about whom it would have been politically dangerous to criticize openly.

Many scholars believe that 666 refers to the Roman Emperor Nero, whose Aramaic name was valued at 666 when using Hebrew numerology of gematria. This was a manner of speaking against the emperor without the Roman authorities knowing.

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Popular Culture

The number 666 retains a peculiar significance in the culture and psychology of Western societies, where some perceive it as “the Devil’s number”, even in contexts usually remote from superstition. The fear of the number 666 is called hexakosioihexekontahexaphobia.

The Number of the Beast is also a popular song by heavy metal band Iron Maiden who incorporate superstitious lyrics based on 666 into their song. The number is also featured in the 1976 film The Omen, which had a remake released on June sixth, 2006; the "6/6/06" date featured heavily in the film's marketing.

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Numerology

An apocalypse number is defined as any number having exactly 666 digits. An apocalyptic number is any number that follows the formula 2n and contains three sixes consecutively, such as 2157, which is the first one of this kind. Apocalypse primes are given by the formula 10665+n for n=123, 1837, 6409, 7329, 8569, 8967, 9663, ... The smallest apocalypse prime containing the digits 666 is 10^(665)+166657.

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