Number of the Beast Testamentum Graece, note 616 as a variant. The Number of the Beast is described in Revelation 13:15–18. Several translations have been interpreted 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 ("psephisato") is used. Possible translations include "to count", "to reckon" and also "to vote" or "to decide". In the "Textus Receptus", derived from Byzantine text-type manuscripts, the number 666 is represented by the Greek numerals , with the Greek ligature stigma () representing the number 6: In the "Novum Testamentum Graece", the number
The Beast (Revelation) chapter seventeen we learn of a third beast, scarlet in color and some of the symbols are explained. The prevailing view is that the scarlet beast is another, distinct, visualisation of the same subject as the beast of the sea, which is pictured with crowns on its horns, unlike the scarlet beast. The scarlet beast is shown being ridden by a harlot who "reigns over the kings of the earth", () whereas the beast of the sea is not described as being ridden, and is given "power and great authority." The seven heads represent both seven mountains and seven kings,