609. For it is the number of a man. This means, symbolically, the character of the Word and so of the church.

A human being symbolizes wisdom and intelligence (no. 243), in this case wisdom and intelligence gained from the Word, thus also the Word in relation to the wisdom and intelligence in a person in the church. The church itself also appears as a person in the Lord's sight. Therefore in respect to his spirit a person in the church appears in heaven as human in accordance with the character of the church in him gained from the Word. This is consequently the symbolic meaning of the number of a man, because it follows after the statement, "Let him who has understanding calculate the number of the beast," which symbolically means that one who is enlightened by the Lord can discern the character of the arguments the clergy use from the Word in defense of their doctrine and faith regarding God and salvation.

The character of the church gained from the Word is also symbolically meant by a man in no. 910, and also elsewhere.