Forty / 40 in the Word of God

40 is a significant number in the Scriptures.

Numbers in general have a symbolic meaning in the Bible.

If frequency implies significance, the number 40 is important, indeed.

It appears dozens of times across the Old and New Testaments.

In Sacred Scripture, the number “40” can signify new life, new growth, transformation, a change from one great task to another great task, or trials, testing, or a probationary period.

Here are the Bible verses quoted:

Genesis 5:13, KJV

Revelation 21:17, KJV

Genesis 7:12

Genesis 18:23 - 28

Genesis 18:29

Genesis 25:20, 26:34

Genesis 50:3

Exodus 24:18, 34:1 - 28

Exodus 34:28

Deut. 9:25-26; 10:10-11

Numbers 13:25, 14:34

Numbers 13:25; 14:33-34

Numbers 14:29, 33

1-Kings 19:8

Matthew 24:1 - 2

Mark 13:1 - 2

2 Chronicles 24:1

Deuteronomy 25:1 - 3

Ezekiel 4:5 -6

Jonah 3:4

Here are some more examples:

· The rains fell in Noah’s day for 40 days and nights (Genesis 7:4)

· Israel ate manna and wandered in the wilderness for 40 years (Exodus 16:35)

· God allowed the land to rest for 40 years (Judges 3:11, 5:31, 8:28)

· Abdon, a judge in Israel, had 40 sons (Judges 12:14)

· Israel did evil; God gave them to an enemy for 40 years (Judges 13:1)

· Eli judged Israel for 40 years (1 Samuel 4:18)

· Goliath presented himself to Israel for 40 days (1 Samuel 17:16)

· Ishbosheth (Saul’s son) was 40 years old when he began to reign (2 Samuel 2:10)

· The holy place of the temple was 40 cubits long (1 Kings 6:17)

· Joash reigned 40 years in Jerusalem (2 Kings 12:1)

· Egypt to be laid desolate for 40 years (Ezekiel 29:11-12)

· Jesus was tempted 40 days (Luke 4:2, Mark 1:13)