LESSON #18 – FORTY

In the Scriptures literal numbers can often also carry symbolic significance.

Two illustrations of this are the numbers “seven” and “twelve”.  Likewise, for the number FORTY. 

DISCUSSION SUB-POINTS

1) SOME MINOR EVENTS ASSOCIATED WITH FORTY

  Embalming was done over a period of 40 days – Gen.50:3

  Punishment by flogging was to be maxed out at 40 stripes – Deut.25:3  cf. 2Cor.11:24

  The giant Goliath taunted the Israelites over a span of 40 days -

  Fastings were engaged in over a period of 40 days - - Moses/Deut.9:18 … Elijah/1Kgs.19:8 … Jesus/Mt.4:1-2

  Spying out the land of Canaan encompassed 40 days – Num.13:24

  Marriages sometimes began at the age of 40 – Isaac/Gen.25:20 … Esau/Gen.26:34

  Egypt was made desolate for 40 years – Ezk.29:11-12

  In the days of the judges God often granted rest from wars for 40 years – Judg.3:11; 5:31 and 8:28

  The temple nave (in front of the inner sanctuary) measured 40 cubits in length – 1Kgs.6:18

2) SERVICE TO GOD WAS OFTEN MARKED BY FORTY YEARS

  Moses was “called” and “re-called” after 40 years / Acts 7:23 & 30

  Eli judged for 40 years / 1Sam.4:18

  Israel’s Kings reigned for 40 years – (Saul/Acts 13:21 … David/2Sam.5:3 … Solomon/1Kgs.11:42)

  Jonah preached to Nineveh for 40 days / Jon.3:4

3) BIG EVENTS CONNECTED WITH FORTY

  The flood – Gen.7:4, 12 & 17

   The giving of the Law (Moses on the Mountain) – Ex.24:18 and Ex.34:28

  The Wilderness Journey – Num.14:33-34 & 32:13;  Deut.2:7 & 8:2;  Josh.5:6;  Neh.9:21;  Ps.95:10;  Amos 2:10; Heb.3:9 & 17

  Jesus’ post-resurrection appearances – Acts 1:3

  The New Testament age of signs and wonders – Micah 7:15 with Acts 2:17-20.

  The time between the cross and the fall of Jerusalem - AD 30-70

QUESTIONS

? Did symbolic numbers originate with Israel?

Some scholars argue that such usage pre-dates Old Testament times, being found in the cultures of Babylon and Egypt.

Of course that doesn’t rule out Jehovah God as The Originator, since He made from one, every nation (Acts 17:26)..

Besides, Old Testament times begin with the creation.  Way back in the days of Noah it rained for 40 days & nights.

Such symbolism can even be witnessed in the natural world.  e.g., human gestation (pregnancy) spans 40 weeks.

? Were certain numbers already symbolic or did they acquire symbolism with usage?

The best answer to this question is, “Both!”  The more they were used the more their symbolism became entrenched.

? What does the number forty symbolize?

A Time of trial and/or testing … probation … a period of judgment