What is the Worth of 666 Talents of Gold?

by Mark Horne

The 666 talents of gold are worth an awful lot, not just in terms of money but in terms of theological meaning–at least worth a lot more than most modern Evangelical commentators would think.

In Revelation 13:18 we are told that the number of the beast is a number “of man,” that is 666. Now, many commentators and preachers are willing to look at this number for symbolic meaning; and to figure it out, they rightly go to the rest of Scripture. Six is one short of seven, which is generally understood to stand for perfection in the Bible. From Genesis 1, the number six is especially pregnant with implications for this passage since, on the sixth day, both man and beast were created. This, in turn, ties into the book of Daniel where four empires are pictured an image of a man in the second chapter but as four beasts in the seventh. Naturally, the beasts of Daniel are especially relevant to Revelation, but there is even more of a correlation since Nebuchadnezzar was turned into a beast at the height of his pride (4:28-33).

All of this is fine but, for reasons that will hopefully become clear, it is not enough. The number in the text is 666, not just six. One can say that it is simply the number repeated thrice (though the text does not literally repeat the number), but the actual number 666 does come up elsewhere in the Old Testament. It is mentioned twice in reference to the same event in Solomon’s life as recorded in 1 Kings 10:14 and 2 Chronicles 9:13. Both authors found it worth noting that Solomon collected 666 talents of gold in revenue one year. The text does not say what year it was or whether or not this was the greatest amount of gold that he ever received in a year. Both texts “just happen” to mention the fact, without giving any explanation as to why it is worth mentioning. Most modern evangelicals would probably say that the verse means that Solomon collected a lot of gold, but the authors didn’t write that Solomon collected “a lot” of gold. Rather they wrote a specific weight.

The structure of these almost identical chapters mentioning the quantity of gold is worth noting. First, the Queen of Sheba visits Solomon and is impressed (1 Kings 10:1-13; 2 Chronicles 9:1-12). Then we are told of the 666 talents, and a description of the rest of his wealth and glory is given (1 Kings 10:14-22; 2 Chronicles 9:13-21). Then his greatness is reiterated, with emphasis on the revenues he collected (1 Kings 10:23-25; 2 Chronicles 9:22-24). Finally, we are told that Solomon collects horses and chariots (1 Kings 10:26-29; 2 Chronicles 9:25-28). In other words, he sins, by doing what a king in Israel is never supposed to do (Deuteronomy 17:16-17). At this point, 2 Chronicles 9 closes with Solomon’s death and the next chapter shows the kingdom ripped apart. In 1 King’s, however, the chapter ends with Solomon’s sins regarding horses and chariots. The next chapter shows him collecting foreign wives (also forbidden in Deuteronomy 17:17) and finally worshipping false gods.

In short, both chapters show us God’s Anointed falling into outright apostasy. It is significant that the kingdom split because Rehoboam refused to lighten the load in taxes and forced labor which his father had put on the people (1 Kings 12:1ff; 2 Chronicles 10:1ff). Solomon’s latter reign was not a happy time. He had become a beast.

And, in telling us of the height of his power and glory, both texts mentioned that Solomon brought in 666 talents of gold one year. Then he slid into sin.

There is no reason to doubt that Revelation 13:18 is building on 1 Kings 10:14 and 2 Chronicles 9:13. Simply the fact that the number is not used anywhere else in Scripture, guarantees that any Biblically literate first-century person reading or hearing John’s epistle from Patmos would immediately turn to those passages. Where else could he go?

But this has radical implications (radical as far as modern evangelical Bible scholarship is concerned anyway). It means that Old Testament readers were supposed to do the same sort of theological work with 1 Kings 10:14 and 2 Chronicles 9:13, that modern evangelical commentators do with Revelation 13:18. They were supposed to consider Genesis 1 and the meaning of the number six. After the book of Daniel was written, they were supposed to link the story of Solomon with Nebuchadnezzar and the four empire-beasts. This was not such a far stretch since the Babylonian emperor Cyrus was declared to be the Lord’s “Anointed” (Isaiah 45:1), that is the Messiah or Christ. Thus, the line of Gentile world rulers inherited the status of Solomon and became beasts when they persecuted Israel, falling from ProtoChrists to AntiChrists. Furthermore, Old Testament readers were supposed to see numerical correlations–such as the fact that Nebuchadnezzar’s graven image is sixty cubits tall and six cubits across (Daniel 3:1).

In any case, all this brief essay is actually saying is “all Scripture is exhaled by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work” (2 Timothy 3:16-17). If God is omniscient and if the Bible is His Word then every detail in it matters a great deal. God could have told us whether or not there was life on other planets, or he could have given us a great many theological formulas so that we wouldn’t have so many theological debates among Bible believers about doctrinal statements. But instead He told us that Solomon collected 666 talents of gold.

The end of the matter is: Throughout all future history God wants every Christian to know that Solomon collected 666 talents of gold, just as he wants us to know that the sons of Shammai were Nadab and Abishur (1 Chronicles 1:28), that the church in Corinth was next to the synagogue (Acts 18:7), and that the Israelites were not to make a baldness between their eyes for the sake of the dead (Deuteronomy 14:1). I have discussed Solomon’s 666 talents of gold and not the other passages because I have little-to-no idea how they can possibly be “profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.” I had help from the Apostle John regarding Solomon’s gold, but it goes without saying that the other passages are just as meaningful. It would be an insult to the Holy Spirit to claim that, or to act as if He inspired His messengers to write things for us that don’t matter.

5 Responses to “What is the Worth of 666 Talents of Gold?”

1
Mitch Robinson Says:
July 23rd, 2007 at 9:19 pm
Blessed be your observation.

The bible, in the book of the Revelation to John tells us: ‘let him that hath wisdom and understanding reckon the number of the beast for it is the number of a man’ and his number is six hundred and threescore six. The words ‘wisdom’ and ‘understanding’ refer God’s mercifully graced readers to Solomon. The number 666 being the number of a man, refers to Solomon, who had much wisdom and understanding. Sadly, he fell away to worshipping false gods….taking the ’star of chemosh’ as his seal. The six pointed star, more commonly known as a hex-agram or the ’seal of solomon’ adorns the flag of Israel today, as well as being a mark of ritual for various secret societies including the ‘free’ masons. It never was nor is it today, the star of David, solomon’s earthly father.

It is no longer a secret what the mark of the beast is, and who the beast and it’s little horn are as well!

http://straitwaytruth.com/artman/publish/article_109.shtml

http://www.freemasonrywatch.org/sixpointedstar.html

http://watch.pair.com/solomon.html

http://www.revisionisthistory.org/talmudtruth.html

http://portland.indymedia.org/en/2004/09/297062.shtml

Blessings in Yahshua, Jesus Christ be upon you dear readers.
2
jason Says:
February 6th, 2008 at 12:01 am
mitch robinson indeed speaks the truth with regard to the seal….and links his documentation…the best is www.watch pair.com/solomon.html…. this speaks of thomas plantard St Clair as being the most likely candidate for the post of antichrist…well worth the big read that it is…cheers
3
Phil Says:
June 17th, 2008 at 1:15 am
Peace defense.
4
Edward Victor Murphy Says:
July 29th, 2008 at 11:26 am
I believe that I am at the very least one of a number of PROTOCHRISTS - like Ronald Wilson Reagan because I have 6 letters in each one of my names and I am no longer a victim but I am a victor like my middle name suggests. People call me Eddie Murphy and laugh at me because I am not as rich as him; but that does not bother me as long as they’re laughing! I aspire to be the KING OF COMEDY - SO AS TO MAKE AS MANY PEOPLE AS I CAN LAUGH! LAUGHTER IS THE BEST MEDICINE! HUMOR IS THE BEST THERAPY! I AM IN THE FBI FULL-BLOODED IRISH AND CIA - CATHOLIC IRISH ALCOHOLIC!
5
Mitch Robinson Says:
August 7th, 2008 at 8:23 pm
I wish to make clear that I may not agree with all information at the links posted, and wish as well to emphasize that those who think they work in secret are indeed well found out….they and their devious machinations will bear much good fruit for our heavenly Father whether or not they can believe it. I prefer to steer clear of too much speculation, as there are many solid facts by which to identify those our Master, Yahshua, speaks about. The last ‘beast’ is, just like the first beast, the Roman army, a mighty military machine and the whole world wonders even now, “who can wage war with it?” The beast and it’s little horn, (USA military industrial complex & counterfeit Israel) are being woefully misled. Even the toy technologies shared with them will betray them upon seeing Yahshua and His army approach in the Heavens! America has fallen far from what was once blessed upon her! And may the Hand of Yahweh smite the entertainment and other media industry whores whose constant onslaught against the innocent fills a blistering cup of His wrath just for her. Throw it down now, Father!

“Whoever seeks to save his life shall lose it, he who would give up his life for My sake, shall save it!”

Serving Yahweh is not about sharing the easy truths, but sharing the uneasy ones as well. Even the world loves what is it’s own. True love can be, and often is, tough love.

This is why your Father in Heaven is shortening the days, lest no flesh remain alive upon the earth!

Rejoice in the hour of tribulation, for you were forewarned….and must be prepared. Let no one take the oil in your lamp, be happy that your Savior does not delay but is coming right on time! In fact He Himself implores us to pray continually that our Father send His Son soon!

Yahweh is sending you a little help, His children.

Blessings in Yahshua, Jesus Christ,

Mitch Robinson

What is the Worth of 666 Talents of Gold?

by Mark Horne

5 Responses to “What is the Worth of 666 Talents of Gold?”

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