Forty
“Forty”
Summary
A number of special significance in Scripture, frequently associated with periods of testing, probation, judgment, and preparation.
☩Periods of Trial and Testing
The number forty appears frequently in contexts of testing, trial, and probation. The rain at the flood continued forty days (Genesis 7:17). Moses spent forty days on Mount Sinai receiving the law (Exodus 24:18, 34:28). The spies explored Canaan for forty days (Numbers 13:25). Goliath challenged Israel for forty days (1 Samuel 17:16). Elijah traveled forty days to Horeb (1 Kings 19:8). Jesus fasted forty days in the wilderness (Matthew 4:2).
☩Periods of Judgment and Waiting
Israel wandered forty years in the wilderness as judgment for unbelief (Exodus 16:35, Numbers 14:34). Egypt was prophesied to be desolate forty years (Ezekiel 29:11-13). Nineveh was given forty days to repent before judgment (Jonah 3:4). After His resurrection, Jesus appeared to His disciples over a period of forty days before His ascension (Acts 1:3).
☩Other Significant Uses
The land had rest for forty years after various deliverances during the Judges period (Judges 3:11, 5:31, 8:28). The reigns of Saul, David, and Solomon each lasted forty years. Punishment by scourging was limited to forty stripes (Deuteronomy 25:3), with Paul receiving 'forty stripes save one' five times (2 Corinthians 11:24). The number thus carries connotations of completeness in probationary periods.
Related Verses145 mentions
References
- 1.James Orr (ed.), "Forty," in International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, vol. II (Howard-Severance Company, 1915).