¹⁷ [^LSo that] No one could buy or sell without this mark, which is the name of the beast or the number of its name [^CGreek and Hebrew letters had a numerical equivalent, and so could represent names—a practice known as gematria]. ¹⁸ This ·takes [calls for; ^Lis] wisdom [Dan. 12:10]. Let the one who has understanding ·find the meaning of [calculate; figure out] the number [^Lof the beast], which is the number of a ·person [or man]. Its number is 666^[a] [^Ca symbolic number signifying imperfection and sin; some speculate it represents the name of a Roman emperor, perhaps Nero or Domitian].