The 666th place name in the Bible is Syria. Paul was traveling towards Damascus (the capital of Syria) when he had a vision that he claimed was from God. The visions, voices and 'tongues' that he received were from Satan, and his letters are responsible for false teaching that has prevented people from following the teachings of Jesus. The place names after the 666th position do not appear to have any parable-based significance, and are not included. There are insufficient place names in the Bible to define a second beast (666+666).

The following rules have been used in compiling the list of place names. They are very similar to the rules used to generate the list of people's names:

1. Only the first instance of a unique place name is used, and the names are placed in the order in which they are found in the Bible.

2. Place names are not necessarily capitalised, and they are not necessarily official names. For example, "the land of the Hebrews" (Caanan) is listed as a place name.

3. If more than one name is used to describe the same place, they are listed separately. Similar spellings of place names are not listed separately. If a place name is included within another name for the same place (e.g. townname and alpha-townname), the additional name is excluded. This does not apply when two place names each have a different part; alpha-townname and beta-townname are classed as different names.

4. People's houses, fields, winepresses and threshingfloors are not included as place names. However, places that are named after people are included.

5. Generic altars (e.g. altar of Baal), temples (e.g. house of Dagon), towers and other buildings are not included as place names unless they are specifically named.

6. If the same name is used to describe different places or landmarks, they are included separately in the list. If the same name is used to describe the same place but with a different description, it is not repeated in the list; for example:
   • 'wilderness of' and 'desert of'
   • 'river/brook of' and 'valley of'
   • 'mountain of' and 'valley of'
   • 'springs of' and 'mountain of'
   • 'mountains of' and 'hill country of'

7. Wildernesses and plains associated with a location are not listed separately from that location – they are considered to be the land surrounding a place, rather than a place in their own right. For example: the wilderness of Sinai and mount Sinai are not listed separately. However, the hill of Moreh (Jdgs7:1) and the plain of Moreh (Ge12:6) are listed separately, because they are in different locations and are not related to each other.

   In the case where the wilderness around a location appears in the Bible before the location itself, the wilderness is included, but the location is not included. This includes land and districts associated with a town. Valleys, rivers, lakes and other features are considered to be places in their own right even if they take their name from a nearby place.

8. Place names include landmarks such as named wells, altars and rocks. They also include named seas, mountains, cities, towns, countries, districts, rivers, brooks, fords and so on. They do not include unnamed features such as rivers described to be near to another place. The names of tribes and races are not listed as place names unless their name is preceded by 'land of', 'inheritance of' or similar.

1. The following are not listed twice:
   • The brooks of Arnon (Num21:14) are not listed separately from the river Arnon (Num21:13).

   • Moab (Exo15:15) is not listed separately from the field of Moab (Ge36:35).

   • Tabor (Josh19:22) and mount Tabor (Jdgs4:6) refer to the same mountain.

   • The valley of Eshcol (Num32:9) and the brook of Eshcol (Num13:23) which flows through this valley refer to the same place.

   • Mount Gilead (Ge31:21) and the land of Gilead (Ge37:25) refer to the same mountain range.

   • The field of Edom (Jdgs5:4) is not listed separately from Edom (Ge32:3).

   • The ford Jabbok (Ge32:22) is not listed separately from the river Jabbok (Num21:24).

   • The land/environs of Tappuah (Josh17:8) is not listed separately from the city Tappuah (Josh16:8).

   • The city Raamses (Exo1:11) is in the district of Rameses (Ge47:11) and is not listed twice.

   • Goshen is a town (Josh15:51) and district (Josh10:41) in Judah and is not listed twice.

2. The KJV and RV Bibles give quite different place names. The RV Bible omits many place names and has some extra ones. Extra names are only used where there is a potential place name from the KJV Bible. The decision to treat the information from the RV and KJV Bibles in this way is based on time constraints (I have not had time to do a thorough check with the RV Bible), but it gives the expected result (Syria as the 666th place name). There may be other ways to interpret the conflicting data from the two manuscripts to give the same result. Information from the RV Bible has been used for contracted place names (Atroth-shophan, Hazor-hadattah, Kerioth-hezron and Adami-nekeb), Goiim (nations) and Negeb (the south country).

3. The plain/valley of Jezreel (Josh17:16) is a large region to the west of the city Jezreel (Josh19:18), and is considered to be a separate place name.

4. The plain of Mamre is land owned by Mamre in Genesis 13:18, but also appears to be named after this person. Therefore, it is included in the list as a place name.

5. Havilah is thought to refer to areas of Arabia but the exact location is unknown. Holman's Bible dictionary suggests that Havilah (Ge25:18) may be a similar or same location to the place listed in Ge2:11. Therefore, it is not listed twice.

6. The city of Nahor (Ge24:10) is referred to in Mari texts, and is thought to be a place name rather than simply the place where Nahor lives.

7. Jeshimon (Num21:20) may just mean 'wilderness' or 'waste-land', but it is included as a place name.

8. Atad is referred to as "the threshingfloor of Atad" (Ge50:10). Atad is a place rather than a person, so it is included in the list.

9. Most of the names in the 'table of nations' (Genesis chapters 10 and 11) are the names of people or ancestors of tribes; some have corresponding place names elsewhere in the Bible which are included in the list (e.g. Caanan). However, Hazarmaveth (Ge10:26) is a place name and is not mentioned elsewhere, so is included in the list.

10. There are two towns called Bethel in the south of Judah, both close to Ai; the evidence comes from Josh12:9-16 (there are two Bethels in this list).

11. Ed (Josh22:34) is a named altar, but the Easton's Bible dictionary claims that it is not in the original text but added later in both the KJV and RV Bibles. There is a parable that suggests that the text has been altered (altar-Ed) by an editor. This gives some flexibility in the list, and its inclusion has given the expected result (Syria as the 666th place name).

12. There are several places named Mizpah and Mizpeh (the names mean 'look-out' or 'watch-tower'):
    • Ge31:49 (in Gilead); probably same as Jdgs10:17 and Ramath-mizpeh (Josh13:26)
      
    • Josh11:3 (in Gilead)
      
    • Josh18:26 (in Benjamin)
      
    • Josh15:38 (in Judah)
      
    • 1Sm22:3 (in Moab)

13. There are several places called Ataroth, Atroth and Atarothadar:
    • Num32:3 and Num32:34
      
    • Num32:35
      
    • Josh16:2 and Josh16:7
      
    • Josh16:5 and Josh18:13
      
    • 1Chr2:54 – also known as Atroth-Beth-Joab

14. Two cities close to each other called Bethhoron are distinguished by Bethhoron "the upper" and "the nether".

15. It is not known how many places called Gilgal are identical. The following are included:
    • Deu11:30
      
    • Josh4:19, Josh9:6 and Josh15:7 (this could be two or three separate places)
      
    • Josh12:23

16. Beeroth (Deu10:6) and Beer (Jdgs9:21) are thought to be the same by some sources. Therefore, Beer is not listed.

17. Eber (Num24:24) refers to the Hebrew race, not to a place.

18. Shechem (Josh20:7) is identified by Nave's Topical Index as a separate place from the Shechem of Genesis. However, Easton's and Holman's Bible dictionaries disagree. This Shechem is not listed separately.

19. Syria and Assyria are different places and are listed separately.

20. The following are not listed as place names. The first four lack a plane of reference. For example, the upper springs of Mount Rushmore would be included as a place name, but the upper springs on their own cannot be classed as a place name. Another example would be a name like 'the valley', which would not be included, but a name like 'the valley of Mount Rushmore' would be included.
    • The east country (Ge25:6).

    • The hill country (Josh13:6).

    • The upper springs (Josh15:19).

    • The nether springs (Josh15:19).

    • The great river, the river Euphrates (Deu1:7): a description of the Euphrates rather than a name for it.

    • Jeshurun (Deu32:15) refers to the people of Israel rather than the land of Israel.

    • Heaven.

    • Earth.

21. The following list shows pairs of different names that refer to the same place. Both names in each pair are included in the list unless they are also found in the next list (Arbah).

    Assyria	Ge2:14	Asshur	Num24:22
    Shinar	Ge10:10	Babel	Ge10:10
    Hebron	Ge13:18	Arbah	Ge35:27
    Bela	Ge14:2	Zoar	Ge13:10
    Enmishpat	Ge14:7	Kadesh	Ge14:7
    Dan	Ge14:14	Leshem	Josh19:47
    Shaveh	Ge14:17	King's Dale	Ge14:17
    Salem	Ge14:18	Jebusi	Josh18:16
    Padanaram	Ge25:20	Syria	Jdgs10:6
    Jegarsahadutha	Ge31:47	Galeed	Ge31:47
    Ephrath	Ge35:16	Bethlehem	Ge35:19
    Chezib	Ge38:5	Achzib	Josh15:44
    Massah	Exo17:7	Meribah	Exo17:7
    Aram	Num23:7	Syria	Jdgs10:6
    Shebam	Num32:3	Shibmah	Num32:38
    Beon	Num32:3	Baalmeon	Num32:38
    Kenath	Num32:42	Nobah	Num32:42
    Libnah	Num33:20	Laban	Deu1:1
    Astaroth	Deu1:4	Beeshterah	Josh21:27
    Beeroth	Deu10:6	Benejaakan	Num33:31
    Gilgal	Josh4:19	Geliloth	Josh18:17
    Bethaven	Josh7:2	Bethel	Ge12:8
    Kirjathjearim	Josh9:17	Baalah	Josh15:9
    Kirjathjearim	Josh9:17	Kirjathbaal	Josh15:60
    Debir	Josh10:38	Kirjathsepher	Josh15:15
    Kirjathsepher	Josh15:15	Kirjathsannah	Josh15:49
    Bealoth	Josh15:24	Baalathbeer	Josh19:8
    Hezron	Josh15:25	Hazor	Josh15:25
    Bizjothjah	Josh15:28	Baalathbeer	Josh19:8
    Chesil	Josh15:30	Bethul	Josh19:4
    Sansannah	Josh15:31	Hazarsusah	Josh19:5
    Shilhim	Josh15:32	Sharuhen	Josh19:6
    Chislothtabor	Josh19:12	Chesulloth	Josh19:18
    Kattath	Josh19:15	Kitron	Jdgs1:30
    Timnathserah	Josh19:50	Timnathheres	Jdgs2:9

22. The following list shows pairs of similar names that refer to the same places. Only one name per pair is included in the list.

    Zeboim	Ge10:19	Zeboiim	Ge14:2
    Sidon	Ge10:19	Zidon	Ge49:13
    Gaza	Ge10:19	Azzah	Deu2:23
    Sichem	Ge12:6	Shechem	Ge33:18
    Hai	Ge12:8	Ai	Josh7:2
    Country of the Amalekites	Ge14:7	Amalek	Num24:20
    [Country of the] Amorites	Ge14:7	Coasts/border (land) of the Amorites	Num21:13
    Salem	Ge14:18	Jerusalem	Josh10:1
    Beerlahairoi	Ge16:14	Lahairoi	Ge24:62
    Kirjatharba	Ge23:2	Arbah	Ge35:27
    Kirjatharba	Ge23:2	Arba	Josh15:13
    Padanaram	Ge25:20	Padan	Ge48:7
    Peniel	Ge32:30	Penuel	Ge32:31
    Timnath	Ge38:12	Timnah	Josh15:10
    Rameses	Ge47:11	Raamses	Exo1:11
    Meribah	Num20:13	Meribahkadesh	Deu32:51
    Zared	Num21:12	Zered	Deu2:13
    Bamoth	Num21:19	Bamothbaal	Josh13:17
    Jahaz	Num21:23	Jahaza	Josh13:18
    Jahaz	Num21:23	Jahazah	Josh21:36
    Dibon	Num21:30	Dibongad	Num33:45
    Jaazer	Num21:32	Jazer	Num32:1
    Shittim	Num25:1	Abelshittim	Num33:49
    Nimrah	Num32:3	Bethnimrah	Num32:36
    Kadeshbarnea	Num32:8	Kedesh	Josh15:23
    Bethharan	Num32:36	Betharam	Josh13:27
    Baalmeon	Num32:38	Bethbaalmeon	Josh13:17
    Shibmah	Num32:38	Sibmah	Josh13:19
    Havothjair	Num32:41	Bashanhavothjair	Deu3:14
    Moseroth	Num33:30	Mosera	Deu10:6
    Bethjesimoth	Num33:49	Bethjeshimoth	Josh12:3
    Akrabbim	Num34:4	Maalehacrabbim	Josh15:3
    Hazaraddar	Num34:4	Adar	Josh15:3
    Sea of Chinnereth	Num34:11	Sea of Chinneroth	Josh12:3
    Astaroth	Deu1:4	Ashtaroth	Josh9:10
    Hermon	Deu3:8	Baalhermon	Jdgs3:3
    Sirion	Deu3:9	Sion	Deu4:48
    Salchah	Deu3:10	Salcah	Josh12:5
    Rabbath	Deu3:11	Rabbah	Josh13:25
    Geshuri	Deu3:14	Border of the Geshurites	Josh12:5
    Maachathi	Deu3:14	[Border of the] Maachathites	Josh12:5
    Beeroth	Deu10:6	Beer	Jdgs9:21
    Uttermost Sea	Deu11:24	Utmost Sea	Deu34:2
    Kirjathjearim	Josh9:17	Kirjath	Josh18:28
    Shimron	Josh11:1	Shimronmeron	Josh12:20
    Mountain of Israel	Josh11:16	Mountains of Israel	Josh11:21
    Taanach	Josh12:21	Tanach	Josh21:25
    Kedesh	Josh12:22	Kedeshnaphtali	Jdgs4:6
    Betharabah	Josh15:6	Arabah	Josh18:18
    Bethhogla	Josh15:6	Bethhoglah	Josh18:19
    Baalah	Josh15:29	Balah	Josh19:3
    Rimmon	Josh15:32	Remmon	Josh19:7
    Lebaoth	Josh15:32	Bethlebaoth	Josh19:6
    Zoreah	Josh15:33	Zorah	Josh19:41
    Eshtemoh	Josh15:50	Eshtemoa	Josh21:14
    Atarothaddar	Josh16:5	Atarothadar	Josh18:13
    Gaba	Josh18:24	Geba	Josh21:17
    Daberath	Josh19:12	Dabareh	Josh21:28
    Nahallal	Josh19:15	Nahalal	Josh21:35
    Nahallal	Josh19:15	Nahalol	Jdgs1:30
    Kattath	Josh19:15	Kartah	Josh21:34
    Kishion	Josh19:20	Kishon	Josh21:28
    Misheal	Josh19:26	Mishal	Josh21:30
    Aphek	Josh19:30	Aphik	Jdgs1:31
    Adami	Josh19:33	Adamah	Josh19:36
    Zaanannim	Josh19:33	Zaanaim	Jdgs4:11
    Hammath	Josh19:35	Hammothdor	Josh21:32
    Ajalon	Josh19:42	Aijalon	Josh21:24
    Shaalabbin	Josh19:42	Shaalbim	Jdgs1:35