666 is often quoted as the number of Satan, or the number of the devil. However, the number 666 is actually not the number of Satan. Instead, it is the number 616 that is associated with Satan.
The number 666 has been popularly associated with Satan for a variety of reasons.
One reason is that the Hebrew letters that spell out “666” can also be used to spell out “Nero Caesar,” which was the name of a particularly wicked Roman emperor who persecuted Christians. Nero’s reign was so full of atrocities that many early Christians believed that he was literally the Antichrist prophesied in the Bible.
Another reason why 666 has been associated with Satan is because it is often seen as an inversion of the Holy Trinity (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit).
Some people believe that 666 symbolizes the Antichrist because he will be an impostor who attempts to take the place of God.
However, the number 666 is not actually mentioned in the Bible in association with Satan.
Instead, it is the number 616 that is mentioned in the oldest extant manuscript of the Book of Revelation. This manuscript, known as Papyrus 115, was discovered in Egypt and dates back to around 300 AD.
Papyrus 115 clearly says “616” in the section where the number of the Beast (Satan) is mentioned.
It’s possible that later scribes simply miscopied this number, which led to the popular misconception that 666 is the number of Satan.
So, while 666 has become synonymous with Satan over the years, it is actually the number 616 that is more accurate.
Devil’s Number FAQs
Why is 666 commonly considered the devil’s number?
There are a few theories as to why 666 has come to be associated with the devil. One popular theory is that, in the Book of Revelation in the Bible, 666 is the number of the Beast of the Apocalypse.
In this book, the Beast is described as a creature with seven heads and ten horns, and 666 is said to be the number of his name.
This association likely came about because, in ancient times, six was considered to be an unlucky number (possibly because it is one less than seven, which was considered a lucky number). Thus, triple sixes would be especially unlucky.
Another theory is that some early Christians used gematria, a system of assigning numerical values to letters of the alphabet, to find hidden meanings in the Bible.
According to this system, the Greek word for “lateinos,” which can mean “Roman” or “Latin,” has a numerical value of 666.
As a result, some Christians believe that 666 is a reference to the Roman Empire, which was seen as an enemy of early Christianity.
Regardless of its origin, 666 has come to be widely associated with Satan and evil.
What does the Bible say about 666?
As mentioned above, the Book of Revelation in the Bible includes a reference to 666 as the number of the Beast of the Apocalypse.
Beyond this, there are a few other mentions of the number 666 in the Bible. In one instance, it is used in connection with King Solomon’s wisdom (1 Kings 10:14).
In another, it is part of a list of gemstone weights (Ezekiel 28:18). And in yet another, it is said to be the value of a piece of gold (Ezekiel 16:13).
While 666 does have some biblical associations, it is important to remember that, ultimately, it is just a number. It is not intrinsically evil or good; it is simply a number like any other.
Summary – Devil’s Number Is 616, Not 666
The number 666 has been popularly associated with Satan for a variety of reasons.
One reason is that the Hebrew letters that spell out “666” can also be used to spell out “Nero Caesar,” which was the name of a particularly wicked Roman emperor who persecuted Christians.
Nero’s reign was so full of atrocities that many early Christians believed that he was literally the Antichrist prophesied in the Bible.
Another reason why 666 has been associated with Satan is that it is often seen as an inversion of the Holy Trinity. Some people believe that 666 symbolizes the Antichrist because he will be an impostor who attempts to take the place of God.
However, the number 666 is not actually mentioned in the Bible in association with Satan. Instead, it is the number 616 that is mentioned in the oldest extant manuscript of the Book of Revelation, which was discovered in Egypt around 2,300 years ago.
Papyrus 115 clearly says “616” in the section where the number of the Beast (Satan) is mentioned. It’s possible that later scribes simply miscopied this number, which led to the popular misconception that 666 is the number of Satan.
So, while 666 has become synonymous with Satan over the years, it is actually the number 616 that is more accurate.
