841. Or the name of the beast, or the number of his name. That this signifies either what is similar to it as to life, or what is similar to it as to faith, is evident from the signification of name, as denoting the quality of the good of love, and of life therefrom; and from the signification of number, as denoting the quality of the truth of faith, and of intelligence therefrom. Hence by the number of a name is signified the quality of the truth of faith and of intelligence therefrom as a result of the quality of the good of love and of life therefrom; here in the opposite sense, because it is said, "the name of the beast," and "the number of his name."

That name, in the Word, signifies the quality of the good, and of love, thence of life, may be seen above (n. 102, 135, 148, 676, 695, 696, 815). Further, that number signifies the quality of the thing treated of, and that the quality is determined by the numbers involved, may also be seen above (n. 429, 430, 574); thus the quality of the truth of faith; and that to number signifies to know the quality of a thing, and to arrange and to dispose accordingly (n. 453). The reason why number signifies the quality of truth and of faith therefrom is, that number involves multitude; and multitude, in the Word, is said of truths, as may be seen above (n. 336, 337).

Hence now by the number of a name is signified the quality of truth from good, or the quality of faith from love; but, here, in the opposite sense, because it is said of the beast.

574. And I heard the number of them.- This signifies their quality perceived, as is evident from the signification of hearing, as denoting to perceive (see above, n. 14, 529); and from the signification of number, as denoting the quality of the thing treated of, concerning which, see above (n. 429); here, the quality of the falsities of evil that conspire against the truths of good, from which and on behalf of which are the reasonings of the sensual man, which are signified by the number of the armies of the horsemen, spoken of just above. But the quality of these is further described in the next verse in these words: "And thus I saw the horses in the vision, and them that sat on them, having breast-plates fiery, and purple, and sulphurous; and the heads of the horses as the heads of lions; and out of their mouths went forth fire, smoke, and brimstone." These words are expressive of the quality that is here signified by number. Some reference to number appears to be meant here by number, but in the spiritual world numbers do not exist, for spaces and times there are not measured and determined by numbers, as in the natural world, therefore all numbers, in the Word, signify things, and the number itself signifies the quality of the thing treated of, see above (n. 203, 336, 429, 430); and in Heaven and Hell 263).