Revelation 13:16-18 The mark of an impressive character

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Revelation 13:1-14 Hunt for a beast
Revelation 13:14-15 ChatGPT and giving life to the image of the beast
Revelation 13:16-18 The mark of an impressive character (this page)

The Greek word for "beast" appears many times in Revelation 13.

The ancient Greek word "θήρα" ≈ "hunt, hunted,beast".
The modern Greek word "θήρα" (THEE-ra) ≈ "hunt, hunted".

This double usage of the same word is similar to the idea that a hunted animal might be a "deer" (noun) and saying that one is going to "deer" (verb).

The modern Greek word "θηρίο" (thee-REE-o) ≈ "wild animal, beast" while the modern Greek word "κυνήγι" (kee-NEE-y) ≈ "hunt".

The Greek word for "beast" can be a play on words with the Greek word for "door".

More: An usher for the door

More: Revelation 13:1-14 Hunt for a beast

Revelation 13:17 And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name. [kjv]

και ινα μη τις δυνηται αγορασαι η πωλησαι ει μη ο εχων το χαραγμα το ονομα του θηριου η τον αριθμον του ονοματος αυτου [gnt]

… caracter … [v]

What is the mark of an impressive character. In Greek, the words for "mark", "impress" and "character" are related. The most well known "mark" in the Bible is the "mark of the beast" in Revelation.

Revelation 13:16 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: [kjv]

και ποιει παντας τους μικρους και τους μεγαλους και τους πλουσιους και τους πτωχους και τους ελευθερους και τους δουλους ινα δωσιν αυτοις χαραγμα επι της χειρος αυτων της δεξιας η επι το μετωπον αυτων [gnt]

The Greek "all", as in other languages, does not mean "everything in the entire universe". One must look at the context to get the domain or scope of the "all". In mathematics and computer science (programming language theory) this is known as the "free variable problem".

What is the "mark"? Some conspiracy-theories would have it be a "jab" but that is not at all certain.

Revelation 13:16

All

KJV: 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:

Greek: και ποιει παντας τους μικρους και τους μεγαλους και τους πλουσιους και τους πτωχους και τους ελευθερους και τους δουλους ινα δωση δωσιν αυτοις χαραγμα επι της χειρος αυτων της δεξιας η επι των μετωπων το μετωπον αυτων

Revelation 13:17 And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name. [kjv]

και ινα μη τις δυνηται αγορασαι η πωλησαι ει μη ο εχων το χαραγμα το ονομα του θηριου η τον αριθμον του ονοματος αυτου [gnt]

… caracter … [v]

What does it mean to buy or to sell?

The modern Greek word "χάραγμα" (HA-ra-gma) ≈ "mark, inscribe" appears to go back to the same PIE (Proto Indo-European) root as the above words. This Greek word is featured prominently in Revelation as the "Mark of the Beast".

Will you have a number?
How could this happen?
How do you know that your web submission is secure?
What is https?
What is the certificate system?
Will you have the number of the beast?

This says the "mark of the beast" or "the number of his name".

It does not say a unique number for each person, though that is not precluded.

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. [kjv]

ωδε η σοφια εστιν ο εχων νουν ψηφισατω τον αριθμον του θηριου αριθμος γαρ ανθρωπου εστιν και ο αριθμος αυτου εξακοσιοι εξηκονταεξ [gnt]

The modern Greek word "νους" (nus) ≈ "mind" is from the ancient Greek word "νοῦς" ≈ "mind" as in reason and understanding and is a contracted form of the ancient Greek word "νόος" ≈ "mind".

The most well-known use of this word for "mind" as in "understanding" in the GNT (Greek New Testament) is in Revelation 13:18 in connection with the number 666. John is giving some "wisdom" for those who have "understanding".

Aristotle used the term "νόος" as different from perception or reason and having to do with understanding. The English philosophical term "nous" (1600's) is somewhat similar to intelligence or intellect.

More: Nouthetic counseling: Having peace of mind or giving piece of mind

Revelation 13:17

All

KJV: And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name.

Greek: και ινα μη τις δυνηται αγορασαι η πωλησαι ει μη ο εχων το χαραγμαη το ονομα του θηριου η τον αριθμον του ονοματος αυτου

Latin: et ne quis possit emere aut vendere nisi qui habet caracter nomen bestiae aut numerum nominis eius

Wycliffe: ethir sille, but thei han the caracter, ether the name of the beeste, ethir the noumbre of his name.

Tyndale: And that no ma myght by or sell save he that had the marke or the name of the beest other the nombre of his name.

Luther: daß niemand kaufen oder verkaufen kann, er habe denn das Malzeichen oder den Namen des Tieres oder die Zahl seines Namens.

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. [kjv]

ωδε η σοφια εστιν ο εχων νουν ψηφισατω τον αριθμον του θηριου αριθμος γαρ ανθρωπου εστιν και ο αριθμος αυτου εξακοσιοι εξηκονταεξ [gnt]

The verse after the "mark" of the "beast" contains the well-known "number" of the "beast". Many who have not read nor studied the Bible have heard of the number "666" and the "mark" of the "beast".

"ψῆφος" ≈ "pebble, counter, vote" and many variations of meaning having to do with a "vote" where a "pebble" was used to "vote" by placing it in a container, sometimes an oil lamp (without the oil) on a "lamp stand"
"ψηφίζω" ≈ "calculations (abacus), cast one's vote" and many definition variations having to do with voting.
"ψηφοποιός" ≈ "rigging the vote" and, literally, "make a pebble".

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. [kjv]

ωδε η σοφια εστιν ο εχων νουν ψηφισατω τον αριθμον του θηριου αριθμος γαρ ανθρωπου εστιν και ο αριθμος αυτου εξακοσιοι εξηκονταεξ [gnt]

The word used for "count" often used for "vote" using a "pebble". It is not common and can be a play on words. The Greek word translated as "number" is that of "reckoning" as in "accounting".

English: ... count the number ...

Greek: ... ψηφισατω τον αριθμον ...
Greek: ... ψηφι σατω τον αριθμον ... (play on words)

English: ... vote sato- tan ... (play on words)
English: ... vote Satan ... (play on words)

Jesus uses similar play on words with Satan in other places.

Details are left as a future topic.

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. [kjv]

ωδε η σοφια εστιν ο εχων νουν ψηφισατω τον αριθμον του θηριου αριθμος γαρ ανθρωπου εστιν και ο αριθμος αυτου εξακοσιοι εξηκονταεξ [gnt]

The word for "number" is «αριημον» and «αριθμος». Does this verse have anything to do with "voting"?

The modern Greek word "αριθμός" (a-ree-THMOS) ≈ "number".
The modern Greek word "αριθμητική" (a-ree-thmee-tee-KEE) ≈ "arithmetic".

The Latin word "computo" ≈ "counting, calculation" and is the source of the English word "compute" and "computer".

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. [kjv]

ωδε η σοφια εστιν ο εχων νουν ψηφισατω τον αριθμον του θηριου αριθμος γαρ ανθρωπου εστιν και ο αριθμος αυτου εξακοσιοι εξηκονταεξ [gnt]

… sapientia … intellectum conputet numerum bestiae numerus … numerus … sescenti sexaginta sex [v]

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. [kjv]

ωδε η σοφια εστιν ο εχων νουν ψηφισατω τον αριθμον του θηριου αριθμος γαρ ανθρωπου εστιν και ο αριθμος αυτου εξακοσιοι εξηκονταεξ [gnt]

… sapientia … intellectum conputet numerum bestiae numerus … numerus … sescenti sexaginta sex [v]

*G5585 *2 ψηφίζω (psay-fid'-zo) : from G5586 ψῆφος; to use pebbles in enumeration, i.e. (generally) to compute:--count.

*G5586 *3 ψῆφος (psay'-fos) : from the same as G5584; a pebble (as worn smooth by handling), i.e. (by implication, of use as a counter or ballot) a verdict (of acquittal) or ticket (of admission); a vote:--stone, voice.

Words: ψηφιζει ψηφισατω=1 ψηφον=3

The ancient Greek word "ψῆφος" ≈ "pebble, counter, vote" and many variations of meaning having to do with a "vote" where a "pebble" was used to "vote" by placing it in a container. Unmarked would use two containers. Marked would use one container. Often, a lamp-stand was used where the (empty of oil) lamp bowel was used to collect the "pebbles".

"ψηφίζω" ≈ "calculations (abacus), cast one's vote" and many definition variations having to do with voting.
"ψηφοποιός" ≈ "rigging the vote" and, literally, "make a pebble".

More: Counting the vote cast

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. [kjv]

ωδε η σοφια εστιν ο εχων νουν ψηφισατω τον αριθμον του θηριου αριθμος γαρ ανθρωπου εστιν και ο αριθμος αυτου εξακοσιοι εξηκονταεξ [gnt]

… sapientia … intellectum conputet numerum bestiae numerus … numerus … sescenti sexaginta sex [v]

The Greek Bible has one digamma in it, the one used in the 6 for the number 666 in Revelation 13:8 as the "number of the beast". This appears in the TR (Textus Receptus).
A well-known example of Greek gematria is "χξς" (lowercase) or "ΧΞϜ" (uppercase) which is the number 666 from Revelation 13:18, also known as the "number of the beast".

600 = "χ" = "Χ" (chi)
60 = "ξ" = "Ξ" (xi)
6 = "Ϛ" = "Ϝ" (digamma)

More: Greek digamma

More: Hebrew and Greek gematria

Revelation 13:18

All

KJV: 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.

Greek: ωδε η σοφια εστιν ο εχων τον νουν ψηφισατω τον αριθμον του θηριου αριθμος γαρ ανθρωπου εστιν και ο αριθμος αυτου χξς εξακοσιοι εξηκοντα εξ

Latin: hic sapientia est qui habet intellectum conputet numerum bestiae numerus enim hominis est et numerus eius est sescenti sexaginta sex

Adolf Hitler was not the anti-Christ. It appears that Adolf Hitler's Nazi Party membership number, assigned in 1920, was 555. This was later changed to a lower number to give the impression that he was one of the first members of the Nazi party.