I promised you more links when we got to this point. The meaning of the number of the beast to John is pretty clear. It applies to Nero. "Nero Caesar," when the Latin is transliterated into Hebrew letters, has the numerical value (gematria) of 666 in one spelling and 616 in another spelling. The manuscripts of the Book of Revelation have two variant values of the number of the beast: 666 and 616.
You can find past posts on the subject here and links. That post leads to a photo of a coin bearing the Latin phrase NERO CAESAR. That spelling in Hebrew letters would add up to 616. The same spelling appears on a gold coin, noted here (alas, no photo).
The other Latin spelling is NERON CAESAR. The Hebrew spelling of this name has the value 666. This spelling of the name in Hebrew letters actually appears on an ostracon from Murabbaat from Nero's time.
I have noted earlier posts in Phil's series on the Book of Revelation here and links. That post has more on the Book of Revelation and the Nero tradition.
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