Number 666 in Revelation 13:18

By Tim Hegg

Revelation 13:18

Here is wisdom. Let him who has understanding calculate the number of the beast, for the number is that of a man; and his number is six hundred and sixty-six.

Rev. 13:18 Ὧδε ἡ σοφία ἐστίν. ὁ ἔχων νοῦν ψηφισάτω τὸν ριθμὸν τοῦ θηρίου, ριθμὸς γὰρ νθρώπου ἐστίν, καὶ ὁ ριθμὸς αὐτοῦ

ἑξακόσιοι ἑξήκοντα ἕξ. (666)

(א, P, 1006. 1841. 1854. 2053vid al)

χξς (666)

(A, P47 051 M; Ir Hipp)

ἑξακόσιοι δεκα ἕξ. (616)

(C, Irmss)

χῖς (616)

(P115)

ἑξακόσιοι ἑξήκοντα πεντε (665)

(2344)

Neron Caesar (Greek)

The other numerical sums, found in a few manuscripts (e.g., manuscript 2344 which has “665”), are probably scribal errors or perhaps were done by scribes who misspelled the Hebrew transliteration of the Greek or Latin name Nero Caesar. If, for instance, Nero was spelled נרה rather than נרו, the numerical sum would be 665 rather than 666.

Tim Hegg

President / Instructor

Tim graduated from Cedarville University in 1973 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Music and Bible, with a minor in Philosophy. He entered Northwest Baptist Seminary (Tacoma, WA) in 1973, completing his M.Div. (summa cum laude) in 1976. He completed his Th.M. (summa cum laude) in 1978, also from NWBS. His Master’s Thesis was titled: “The Abrahamic Covenant and the Covenant of Grant in the Ancient Near East”. Tim taught Biblical Hebrew and Hebrew Exegesis for three years as an adjunct faculty member at Corban University School of Ministry when the school was located in Tacoma. Corban University School of Ministry is now in Salem, OR. Tim is a member of the Evangelical Theological Society and the Society of Biblical Literature, and has contributed papers at the annual meetings of both societies. Since 1990, Tim has served as one of the Overseers at Beit Hallel in Tacoma, WA. He and his wife, Paulette, have four children, nine grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren.