The association of 666 with the devil stems primarily from its appearance in the Book of Revelation. Specifically, it's identified as "the number of the beast."
Here's a breakdown:
-
The Book of Revelation: This New Testament book (13:17-18) contains the passage most responsible for the number's infamy. According to the Textus Receptus manuscripts, 666 is cryptically referred to as "the man's number" or "the number of a man." This number is linked to the "Beast," an antagonistic figure in the apocalyptic narrative.
-
Symbolism and Interpretation: The exact meaning of "the number of the beast" has been debated for centuries.
- Some believe it represents a specific historical figure or empire.
- Others interpret it as a symbolic representation of evil, corruption, or worldly power.
- Still, others perform gematria (a system of assigning numerical value to letters) to attempt to find hidden meanings within names or phrases.
-
Cultural Impact: Regardless of the original intent, the association of 666 with evil has permeated popular culture, appearing in movies, books, and music, solidifying its status as "the devil's number."
| Aspect | Description |
|---|---|
| Biblical Origin | Book of Revelation 13:17-18 identifies 666 as "the number of the beast." |
| Meaning | Subject to interpretation; represents evil, a specific figure, or worldly power. |
| Cultural Impact | Widely recognized symbol of the devil and evil in popular culture. |
In conclusion, 666 gained notoriety as the devil's number primarily because it is identified as "the number of the beast" in the Book of Revelation, leading to widespread associations with evil and the Antichrist.
