Wesley Huff, a prominent Canadian biblical scholar and apologist, recently stirred the pot on social media by addressing a long-standing debate surrounding the infamous "number of the beast" mentioned in the Book of Revelation. For centuries, 666 has been synonymous with fear and speculation, but Huff has brought forth a fascinating point that may change how we view this number.
In a recent post on X, Huff highlighted that while most modern translations of Revelation 13:18 state “his number is 666,” some of the earliest manuscripts actually record it as “616.” This revelation has sparked curiosity and discussion among theologians and laypeople alike.
The verse reads, “This calls for wisdom: let the one who has understanding calculate the number of the beast, for it is the number of a man, and his number is 666.” However, Huff pointed out that our oldest fragmentary copy of Revelation, along with the Codex Ephraemi Rescriptus, lists the number as 616. This discrepancy is not merely a footnote in biblical scholarship; it raises questions about how we interpret ancient texts.
Huff reassured his audience that this variant does not undermine the integrity of the biblical text. He noted that early Church fathers, including Irenaeus in the second century, were aware of this variation but affirmed 666 as the more reliable number based on the earliest manuscripts available to them. "How important is this? Well, to be honest, not very," Huff stated, emphasizing that such textual variations are common in the study of ancient manuscripts.
Interestingly, the significance of the number goes beyond mere numerology. In ancient cultures, numbers were often imbued with symbolic meaning. For instance, the name “Nero Caesar,” when transliterated into Hebrew, sums up to 666. If you remove the final “n” from “Neron,” however, it brings you to 616. Huff noted that this variant does not change the historical context, as 616 could also relate to Gaius Caesar, known as Caligula.
Huff cautioned against overemphasizing numerology, suggesting that while such connections are intriguing, they remain speculative. Instead, he argued that the existence of these textual variants actually strengthens our confidence in the reliability of the Scriptures. “The fact that we can pinpoint, discuss, and interact with these variants in the manuscript tradition shows the reliability of the text we have today,” he explained.
Scholars have long debated the implications of the number 666. Some believe it refers to a historical figure, while others suggest it symbolizes the future Antichrist. Hank Hanegraaff, a well-known Christian apologist, pointed out in a 2012 interview that Revelation was written for a first-century audience, implying that only they could truly understand the context of the beast’s number. “No amount of wisdom and insight would have enabled a first-century audience to calculate the number of a 21st-century beast,” he noted.
The discussion around the number of the beast has been reignited by recent discoveries. In 2011, researchers at Oxford University announced the finding of millions of ancient text fragments in Egypt, some of which suggested variations of the notorious number. This discovery has led to increased scrutiny of whether the number of the beast is truly 666, or possibly 616 or even 665.
As we ponder these intriguing insights from Wesley Huff and others, it’s essential to remember the broader message of the Scriptures. The Book of Revelation encourages believers to seek wisdom and understanding, urging us to engage thoughtfully with the text. Whether 666 or 616, the ultimate takeaway is that faith and understanding are paramount in our journey as Christians.
For more insights into biblical scholarship and the ongoing conversations surrounding Scripture, check out resources from The Gospel Coalition and Christianity Today.