Post by Les Brewer on Feb 22, 2012 23:08:59 GMT
Use of the number 40 in the Bible
What does it symbolise?
A forty time period in the Bible whether it is days or years can indicate a time of trial or testing.
It can also be a symbol of judgement or punishment.
Forty has also been connected with periods of peace for Israel.
So the number 40 could really be a wonderful symbol of our spiritual life which starts with the testing our
faith in this life, continues with judgement when Jesus returns, and if the judgement is in our favour will
result in eternal peace for us in God's kingdom.
Below is a list of how these three symbols of 40 have been used in the Bible.
Trial, testing
1) Moses on the mountain 40 days and 40 nights - Exod.34:28
2) The spies spend 40 days in Canaan - Num.13:25
3) Goliath presents himself to Israel for 40 days - 1 Sam.17:16
4) Elijah's 40 day fast - 1Kings 19:8
5) 40 days until Nineveh is punished if they don't repent - Jonah 3:4
6) Jesus in the wilderness 40 days - Mark 1:12-13
Judgement, punishment
1) Rained 40 days and 40 nights - Gen.7:12
2) Punishment of 40 stripes - Deut.25:3 see also 1Cor.11:24
3) Israel wanders 40 years - Deut.8:2
4) Punishment for Israel from her neighbours - Judges 13:1
Peace, reward
1) Periods of peace for Israel - Judges 3:11, 5:31, 8:28
2) Solomon reigns for 40 years in Jerusalem - 2 Chron.9:30
3) Jesus seen on earth after His resurrection for 40 days
Acts 1:3
What does it symbolise?
A forty time period in the Bible whether it is days or years can indicate a time of trial or testing.
It can also be a symbol of judgement or punishment.
Forty has also been connected with periods of peace for Israel.
So the number 40 could really be a wonderful symbol of our spiritual life which starts with the testing our
faith in this life, continues with judgement when Jesus returns, and if the judgement is in our favour will
result in eternal peace for us in God's kingdom.
Below is a list of how these three symbols of 40 have been used in the Bible.
Trial, testing
1) Moses on the mountain 40 days and 40 nights - Exod.34:28
2) The spies spend 40 days in Canaan - Num.13:25
3) Goliath presents himself to Israel for 40 days - 1 Sam.17:16
4) Elijah's 40 day fast - 1Kings 19:8
5) 40 days until Nineveh is punished if they don't repent - Jonah 3:4
6) Jesus in the wilderness 40 days - Mark 1:12-13
Judgement, punishment
1) Rained 40 days and 40 nights - Gen.7:12
2) Punishment of 40 stripes - Deut.25:3 see also 1Cor.11:24
3) Israel wanders 40 years - Deut.8:2
4) Punishment for Israel from her neighbours - Judges 13:1
Peace, reward
1) Periods of peace for Israel - Judges 3:11, 5:31, 8:28
2) Solomon reigns for 40 years in Jerusalem - 2 Chron.9:30
3) Jesus seen on earth after His resurrection for 40 days
Acts 1:3
