What Does 666 Mean in the Bible?
What Does 666 Mean in the Bible? 666 is identified in Revelation as the number of the beast — a symbolic number representing the Antichrist and the height of human rebellion against God.
Key verse: Revelation 13:18 (KJV)
666 is identified in Revelation as the number of the beast — a symbolic number representing the Antichrist and the height of human rebellion against God.
666 is identified in Revelation as the number of the beast — a symbolic number representing the Antichrist and the height of human rebellion against God.
"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." — Revelation 13:18 (KJV)
Meaning
Plain-language explanation
In Context
Surrounding KJV scripture
Related Verses
Cross-reference scriptures
The Biblical Answer
The number 666 appears in Revelation 13:18: '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.' In Scripture, seven is the number of perfection and completeness, while six falls short of seven. The threefold repetition — 666 — pictures the fullness of human fallenness, ambition that grasps at deity yet always fails. The number is the mark of the beast, required for buying or selling during the great tribulation, and signals allegiance to the Antichrist. Believers must refuse it at all costs. Whether 666 also encodes a specific name (such as the gematria of 'Nero Caesar' or some future ruler) has been debated for centuries, but the spiritual meaning is clear: it is the brand of rebellion against the Lamb.
Key Scripture References
"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."
"And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads: And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark."
"If any man worship the beast and his image, and receive his mark in his forehead, or in his hand, The same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God."
Frequently asked questions
Frequently asked questions
Related Questions
What Is the Mark of the Beast (666)?
The mark of the beast is a future identifier described in Revelation 13 that the Antichrist will require for buying and selling — associated with the number 666.
Who Is the Antichrist?
The Antichrist is a future world leader who will oppose Christ, deceive the nations, and demand worship during the tribulation.
What Is the Tribulation?
The tribulation is a future seven-year period of unprecedented suffering and divine judgment on the earth before Christ's return.
What Is the Rapture?
The rapture refers to the event when Christ returns to catch up believers — both living and dead — to meet Him in the air.
What Is the Second Coming of Christ?
The Second Coming is the visible, bodily return of Jesus Christ to earth to establish His kingdom and judge the world.
Deep Dive Commentary
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The answer above sits inside Revelation. The 365-day chronological plan reads it in the order the events happened.
Read Revelation on day 358 of the chronological Bible reading planKeep the verses to hand
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