The Number of the beast is described in the passage of Revelation 13:1518.

The actual number is only

mentioned once, in verse 18. In the Greek manuscripts, the Book of Revelation is titled The Apocalypse
of John[3] where this number is rendered in Greek numerical form as ,[4] or sometimes literally as
, hexaksioi hexkonta hx, "six hundred and sixty-six".[5][6] There are several
interpretations-translations for the meaning of the phrase "Here is Wisdom, Let him that hath
understanding count the number of the beast" where the peculiar Greek word (psefisato) is
used. Possible translations include not only "to count", "to reckon" but also "to vote" or "to decide".[7]

In the Textus Receptus, derived from Byzantine text-type manuscripts, the number 666 is represented by
the final 3 letters .

17 ,
. 18
.[8]

The last letter of the Greek alphabet is not the equivalent of the English letter "Z", but "Omega".[9] The
Greek letter sigma () substitutes for the letter digamma in representing the number 6.

In the Novum Testamentum Graece, the number is represented by the final three words,
, meaning "six hundred sixty-six":

17 ,
. 18 ,
.[10]

616[edit]
Although Irenaeus (2nd century AD) affirmed the number to be 666 and reported several scribal errors of
the number, a minority[citation needed] of theologians have doubts about the traditional reading[11]
because of the appearance of the figure 616 in the Codex Ephraemi Rescriptus (C; Paris - one of the four
great uncial codices), as well as in the Latin version of Tyconius (DCXVI, ed. Souter in the Journal of
Theology, SE, April 1913), and in an ancient Armenian version (ed. Conybeare, 1907). Irenaeus knew
about the 616 reading, but did not adopt it (Haer. v.30,3). In the 380s, correcting the existing Latinlanguage version of the New Testament (commonly referred to as the Vetus Latina), Jerome retained
"666".[12][13]

Fragment from Papyrus 115 (P115) of Revelation in the 66th vol. of the Oxyrhynchus series (P. Oxy.
4499).[14] Has the number of the beast as , 616.

Around 2005, a fragment from Papyrus 115, taken from the Oxyrhynchus site, was discovered at the
Oxford University's Ashmolean Museum. It gave the beast's number as 616 . This fragment is the
oldest manuscript (about 1,700 years old) of Revelation 13 found as of 2015.[15][16]

The age of a manuscript is not an indicator of the date of its writing but refers to how old the physical
material is. All original biblical manuscripts are non-existent today. As they were held and copied onto
new materials, eventually the originals fell apart, leaving fragments for a period and then only the copies.
So the oldest texts might actually be found among the newest copies.[citation needed] Codex Ephraemi
Rescriptus, known before the P115 finding but dating to after it, has 616 written in full:
, hexakosioi deka hex (lit. "six hundred and sixteen").[17]

Papyrus 115 and Ephraemi Rescriptus have led some scholars to regard 616 as the original number of the
beast.[18] According to Paul Louis, "The number 666 has been substituted for 616 either by analogy with
888, the [Greek] number of Jesus (Gustav Adolf Deissmann), or because it is a triangular number, the sum
of the first 36 numbers (1+2+3+4+5+6+...+36 = 666)"[19]

Interpretations[edit]
Interpreting the identity and the number of the beast usually falls into three categories:[1]

Using gematria to calculate the number of a world leaders name, in order to match it with the number of
the beast.
Associating the number of the beast as the duration of the beasts reign, in order to compare the length of
reign to an entity, such as a heathen state, Islam, or the Papacy.
Corresponding symbolism for the Antichrist and antichristian power.
Identification by gematria[edit]
In Greek isopsephy and Hebrew gematria, every letter has a corresponding numeric value. Summing
these numbers gives a numeric value to a word or name. The use of isopsephy to calculate "the number of
the beast" is used in many of the below interpretations.

Nero[edit]

Bust of Nero at Musei Capitolini, Rome

Preterist theologians typically support the numerical interpretation that 666 is the equivalent of the name
and title, Nero Caesar (Roman Emperor from 54-68).[20][21][22][23][24][25][26] Charagma is well
attested to have been an imperial seal of the Roman Empire used on official documents during the 1st and
2nd centuries.[27] In the reign of Emperor Decius (249251 AD), those who did not possess the
certificate of sacrifice (libellus) to Caesar could not pursue trades, a prohibition that conceivably goes
back to Nero, reminding one of Revelation 13:17.[28]

Preterists argue that Revelation was written before the destruction of the Temple, with Nero exiling John
to Patmos.[29] Most scholars, however, argue it was written after Nero committed suicide in AD 68. The
Catholic Encyclopedia has noted that Revelation was "written during the latter part of the reign of the
Roman Emperor Domitian, probably in A.D. 95 or 96".[30]

Additional Protestant scholars are in agreement.[31] Because some believe Revelation 13 speaks of a
future prophetic event, "All who dwell on the earth will worship him, whose names have not been written
in the Book of Life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world." (Revelation 13:8 NKJV), some
have argued that the interpretation of Nero meeting the fulfillment is an impossibility if Revelation was
written around 30 years after the death of Nero.[32][33][34] However, rumors circulated that Nero had
not really died and would return to power.[35]

It has also been suggested that the numerical reference to Nero was a code to imply but not directly point
out emperor Domitian,[36][37] whose style of rulership resembled that of Nero and who put the people of
Asia (Lydia), whom the Book of Revelation was primarily addressed to at the time, under heavy taxation.
[38] The popular Nero Redivivus legend stating that Nero would return to life can also be noted; "After
Nero's suicide in AD 68, there was a widespread belief, especially in the eastern provinces, that he was
not dead and somehow would return (Suetonius, LVII; Tacitus, Histories II.8; Dio, LXVI.19.3). Suetonius
(XL) relates how court astrologers had predicted Nero's fall but that he would have power in the east.
And, indeed, at least three false claimants did present themselves as Nero redivivus (resurrected)."[39]

An Aramaic scroll from Wadi Murabba'at, dated to "the second year of Emperor Nero", refers to him by
his name and title.[40] In Hebrew it is Nron Qsr (Pronounced "Nern Kaisar"). In Latin it is Nro Qsr
(Pronounced "Ner Kaisar").