☝️ Key Points
- The song deals with the representation of evil and the devil in the Christian tradition, referring to the Apocalypse and the Book of Revelation in the Bible.
- The lyrics of the song tell of an eerie vision or dreams, in which the singer perceives dark figures, chanting, and hypnotic scenes.
- The line '666 - the number of the Beast' directly refers to a passage from Revelation, where 666 is portrayed as the number of the Beast, a symbolic figure of evil.
- The singer feels a strong attraction to this dark and terrifying scene, even though it plunges him into despair and leads him to consider informing the law.
- At the end of the song, the singer threatens to possess the listener's body, which can be interpreted as a warning.
Interpretation
"The Number of the Beast" by
Iron Maiden is a song that refers to the representation of the devil and evil in the Christian tradition, particularly to the Apocalypse and the Revelation of John in the Bible.
The lyrics of the song describe an encounter with evil in a kind of dream or vision. The singer sees dark figures moving in the mist and twisting, and he hears the chanting of hordes that seem to hypnotize him. He is drawn to this scene, even though it is terrible and plunges him into despair.
The words "666 - the number of the Beast" refer to a passage in the Revelation of John where 666 is described as the number of the Beast, a symbolic figure of evil. The line "Hell and fire was spawned to be released" could be an allusion to apocalyptic ideas of fire and destruction often associated with the end of the world.
The singer feels powerless and concerned about what he sees, and considers informing the law. But he cannot turn away from the scene. At the end of the song, he announces that he will return and possess the listener's body, which could be interpreted as a warning or threat.
Overall, the song addresses the theme of evil and temptation, and plays with biblical imagery and symbols to create a sense of unease and fear."