ἑξακόσιοι (hexakosioi)
hexakosioi
six hundred
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 2 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The word hexakosioi is a straightforward numerical adjective meaning "six hundred." It appears only twice in the New Testament, both within the Book of Revelation. In these instances, it functions as a precise quantifier rather than a symbol with hidden layers of meaning.
In Revelation 13:18, it calculates the number associated with the beast, forming part of the famous equation that has sparked centuries of interpretation. Later, in Revelation 14:20, it measures the extent of a winepress where blood flows, emphasizing the sheer scale of the event described. The term itself carries no inherent theological weight beyond its literal value.
Translators consistently render this word as "six hundred" without attempting to obscure its numeric nature. Its presence in Revelation highlights John’s use of specific numbers to convey magnitude and order within his apocalyptic visions, grounding the symbolic imagery in concrete figures.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word hexakosioi simply means six hundred. In the New Testament, it appears only twice, both in Revelation. It does not hide a secret code or require complex decoding to understand its basic meaning. Instead, John uses this specific number to ground his visions in concrete reality.
In Revelation 13:18, it helps identify the beast’s number. In Revelation 14:20, it measures the distance blood flows from the winepress. These numbers show that God’s word is precise and orderly, even when describing dramatic events. We can trust that Scripture gives us clear markers to help us navigate its messages.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 2 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- six hundred.1×
- six hundred1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- ἑξακόσιοι1×
- ἑξακοσίων.¶1×
Key Verses
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Revelation of John 13:18
Here is wisdom. He who has understanding, let him calculate the number of the beast, for it is the number of a man. His number is six hundred sixty-six.
This verse uses the number to complete the famous identification of the beast, inviting readers to apply wisdom and understanding to a specific figure.
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Revelation of John 14:20
The wine press was trodden outside of the city, and blood came out of the wine press, up to the bridles of the horses, as far as one thousand six hundred stadia.
Here the number quantifies the vast extent of judgment, emphasizing the sheer scale of the event described in the vision.