Trial, Testing, Or Judgment:
Forty appears 145 times in Scripture. The number 40 generally symbolizes a period of testing, trial, probation or judgement. This certainly seems to be borne out in a number of places in the Bible, however, it also is used for more than that. Let’s first look at the ways it could be taken as a number signifying trial, testing, or judgment, then we will look some other significant uses.
Here are some interesting references to FORTY:
When God destroyed every living thing on the Earth by flood, it rained 40 days and 40 nights (Genesis 7:4,12,17).
Three men in the Bible fasted 40 days and 40 nights: Moses (Exodus 34:28)(Deuteronomy 9:9,18,25)(Deuteronomy 10:10), Elijah (1 Kings 19:8), and Jesus (Matthew 4:2)(Luke 4:2)(Mark 1:13).
Because Israel refused to enter the Promised Land, God condemned them to wander in the “wilderness” for 40 years (Numbers 14:33-34)(Numbers 32:11-13)( Deuteronomy 8:2)(Joshua 5:6).
God also kept their clothing and sandals from wearing out for the whole 40 years: (Deuteronomy 29:5, Deuteronomy 8:4.)
The Israelites were given manna in the desert for 40 years to “test” and “humble” them (Exodus 16:35)( Deuteronomy 8:3,16)
When scourging someone, they could not receive more than 40 lashes
(Deuteronomy 25:3)(2 Corinthians 11:24).
The Israelites were in captivity to the Philistines for 40 years for doing evil
(Judges 13:1).
Goliath taunted Israel for 40 days and nights (1 Samuel 17:16), until David defeated him.
Ezekiel laid on his right side for 40 days to “bear the iniquity” of Judah’s sins
(Ezekiel 4:6).
God proclaimed judgment against Egypt, saying it would be desolate for 40 years (Ezekiel 29:10-12).
God gave Nineveh 40 days to repent or be overthrown (Jonah 3:4).
⇛ continue reading Forty – Part 2
⇛ return to Fun Facts & Information ⇛