Either way, both numbers refer to the same man though they are conveyed in two different ways. The letters “un” were sometimes dropped to help readers positively differentiate between the ruthless and evil emperor and anyone else. Some scholars attribute the difference in numbers to the last two letters of Neronoun (“un”), which has a numerical value of 50. Nero Caesar equals 666, and Neronoun Caesar equals 616. While the Hebrew term is Nero Caesar, the Latin term is Neronoun Caesar, which means both versions have their own numerical value.

Nero’s official title was usually pronounced in Latin and not Hebrew. But some scholars claim the number is not 666 but 616. Many people who study gematria say his name and title-Nero Caesar-add up to 666. He was so thoroughly evil that some people consider him the “first antichrist” or a pre-runner to the real Antichrist who is yet to come. He was a bloodthirsty ruler who persecuted Christians relentlessly and tortured them in ways that would make Hitler blush. Similarly, Revelation 13:18 invites us to calculate the number of the beast.Ī perfect example of a “beast” was the Roman emperor Nero. Because each phrase shares the same number, Rabbi Sobel states how everything points to God creating the world to bring about the salvation of His people through His firstborn Son. If you add up each letter’s value in each phrase, all three equal 913. “Adonai has made His salvation known” (Psalm 98:2).Jesus’ death and resurrection through the Greek word egeiro, meaning “raise” (John 2:19).“The firstborn of all creation” (Colossians 1:5).Consider these three biblical phrases as an example:

In his book Mysteries of the Messiah, Rabbit Jason Sobel makes heavy use of gematria to illustrate how every word of the Bible points to Jesus. Many in the Jewish faith use this method to understand the Torah better. If one were to add up the numbers in a word or phrase, the sum would equal a number with specific meaning to help the reader better understand the given information. In the first century, a system of Jewish interpretation called gematria, where letters are assigned numerical values, was widespread. He will demand loyalty from everyone in his kingdom, and proof of loyalty will be the mark of 666, according to Revelation 13:18.īut what if the number is not 666? Does the Bible have a typo? Some argue it does. The term “beast” represents both the Antichrist and his world system. The beast is better known as the Antichrist. According to the previous verse, Revelation 13:17, no one will be able to buy or sell anything unless one has “the mark or the name of the beast, or the number of his name.” The fact that it is three sixes in a row means utter and complete evil. The number six in the Bible represents man’s sin and rebellion against God. Let him who has understanding calculate the number of the beast, for it is the number of a man: His number is 666.” We see this number in movies, television, and other places to convey the idea of evil. If there is one portion of Scripture even the worst atheist will believe, it is the number of the beast-666. “Calculate the number of the beast, for it is the number of a man: His number is 666.” Revelation 13:18

666 bible verse