610. 'His number is six hundred and sixty-six' signifies this quality, that every truth of the Word has been falsified by them. By 'the number of the beast' is signified what the confirmation of the doctrine and faith out of the Word is like with them (n. 608, 609); by 'six hundred and sixty-six' is signified every truth of good, and because this is said of the Word, in signifies every truth of good in the Word, here that falsified, because in is 'the number of the beast'. The reason this is signified is because 6 signifies the same as 3 multiplied by 2, and 3 signifies what is full and all, and is predicated of truths (n. 505), while 2 signifies the marriage of truth and good; and as 6 is composed of those two numbers multiplied by each other, they therefore signify every truth of good in the Word, here that falsified. That it has indeed been falsified by them may be seen above (n. 566). The number is said to be 666 because in that number 6 is tripled, and the triplication completes. The multiplying by 100, whence comes 600, and by 10, whence comes sixty, changes nothing, as may be seen above (n. 348). [2] That 'six' signifies what is full and all, and is said where it treats of truths of good, can be established out of the passages in the Word where that number is mentioned, but that signification of this number does not clearly appear except to those who see in the spiritual sense the things of which in treats, as that the Lord said that:-
The seed that fell on good ground yielded fruit, thirty fold, sixty, and a hundred Mark iv 8, 20; Matt. xiii 8, 23;
That:-
The householder went out and brought labourers into his vineyard, at the third hour and at the sixth hour Matt. xx 3, 5.
Upon the table in the tabernacle the cakes of bread were arranged in two rows, six in each Lev. xxiv 6.
Six water-pots were set after the manner of the cleansing of the Jews John ii 6.
The cities of refuge or asylum were six Num. xxxv 6, 7; Deut. xix 1-9.
The measuring reed with which the angel measured all things of the new temple and the new city, was six cubits Ezek. xl 5.
The prophet should drink water by measure, the sixth part of an hin Ezek. iv 11.
For an offering they should take the sixth part of an ephah of a homer of wheat Ezek. xlv 13.
Since 'six' signifies what is full, therefore the word 'to take a sixth part' (sextare) arose, by which in the spiritual sense is signified what is complete and entire, as that:-
They should take the sixth part of an ephah of a homer of barley Ezek. xlv 13;
and in is said of Gog:-
I will turn thee back, and take the sixth part of thee Ezek. xxxix 2,
by which is signified that with them every truth of good in the Word was entirely destroyed. Who are understood by 'Gog' may be seen (n. 859).
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