05-12-2008, 04:19 PM
Shlama David and Christina,
For what it is worth, I have never heard of a 656 gematria in Rev 13:18. However, I have heard that there is a 3rd century (Latin?) extract by an early Church Father (Origen maybe?) that talks about 616 gematria in the line. I have never found any evidence to support this nor do I think it persuasive in the least to overcome the traditional Nero-666 connection.
On the other hand though, if it was a scribal error and 616 was intended, we have an id with another Roman Emperor who was and cruel and decadent as Nero ever was, none other than Caligula himself. Now Caligula, while he was not knows as an early persecutor of the faithful like Nero was, still has the distinction of certainly being beast like in his appetites and excess, and he was no friend to either the Hebrew or Gentile branches of the Way to be sure. The first martyr, Stephen, would have died a few months prior to Caligula taking power in CE 37. Josephus, who was born that very year, later writes mostly in praise of Caligula in the early part of his rule I think.
Shlama w'burkate
Andrew Gabriel Roth
For what it is worth, I have never heard of a 656 gematria in Rev 13:18. However, I have heard that there is a 3rd century (Latin?) extract by an early Church Father (Origen maybe?) that talks about 616 gematria in the line. I have never found any evidence to support this nor do I think it persuasive in the least to overcome the traditional Nero-666 connection.
On the other hand though, if it was a scribal error and 616 was intended, we have an id with another Roman Emperor who was and cruel and decadent as Nero ever was, none other than Caligula himself. Now Caligula, while he was not knows as an early persecutor of the faithful like Nero was, still has the distinction of certainly being beast like in his appetites and excess, and he was no friend to either the Hebrew or Gentile branches of the Way to be sure. The first martyr, Stephen, would have died a few months prior to Caligula taking power in CE 37. Josephus, who was born that very year, later writes mostly in praise of Caligula in the early part of his rule I think.
Shlama w'burkate
Andrew Gabriel Roth