The Number 40 in The Bible

 

Significance of “40” in The Bible

In Scripture, the number “40” signifies new life, new growth, transformation, a change from one great task to another great task, etc. For example:

*The rain of the Great Flood – the Great Deluge – lasted 40 days and nights. Day 41 it stopped raining.

 

*Moses fasted for 40 days and nights to prepare himself to receive the Law.

 

*Moses was atop Mount Sinai for 40 days and nights receiving the Law.

 

*The Israelites wandered in the desert for 40 years after fleeing the Egyptians. Year 41 they entered the Promised Land.

 

*Manna rained down on the Israelites for 40 years. 
  
*The Prophet Elijah walked 40 days and nights to reach the Mountain of God, Horeb.  

 

*Goliath taunted the Israelites for forty days. Day 41 David shows up with a sling shot.

*Jesus fasted for 40 days and nights to prepare for His public ministry.

*Jesus Ascended into Heaven 40 days after His glorious Resurrection from the dead.  

*The Feast of Dedication is 40 days before Passover.  

*December 25, 5 BC is 40 weeks to September 4 BC, the birth of Jesus. Learn More

 

Synopsis of the Significance of “40”
in Scripture…

So it is, then, that  “40 means something”, as it brings to mind such qualities as repentance, newness, preparation (say, for an important work or task), self-examination, transformation, task fulfillment, escape from bondage or slavery (such as the bondage of sin), nourishment and growth (for example, in the spiritual life), and, finally, personal fulfillment, such as with redemption and salvation, and ultimately, new generation and new life. The number 40 is mentioned in Scripture over 150 times.

As it is written: But he who endures to the end shall be saved. ~ Matthew 24:13 

The number 40 symbolizes periods of testing, judgment, and redemption. Endure to the end means... hang in there, keep the faith, and never give up hope, your day 41 is coming. There are nine different 40-day periods noted in Scripture (the phrase itself occurs 17 times). Nine is the number for judgment in the Bible. It is worth noting that 40 is one-ninth of a 360, degree circle. We came from God and we return to God... full circle.    

 

The purpose of Renew Your Strength Bible Study Group is to get people to think about what they believe and why they believe it, not debate who's right or wrong.

 

Over the years, as Renew Your Strength has continued to grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ, we have recognized that some of the things we once held as true, in fact, are not; and therefore we will not “cast in stone” a statement of our beliefs. We reserve the right to be wrong and to repent of such error when we discover it.  

 

To learn the revealed truth of God we must know and understand the true meaning of the words God inspired to be written. Use Strong's Concordance to check the original word before it was translated. Do your own research, make up your own mind, rely on the Holy Spirit to guide you.