Pattern of the Number 40 in the Bible
The number 40 appears frequently throughout the Bible, often signifying periods of testing, judgment, or preparation. This pattern is evident in both the Old and New Testaments.
In the Old Testament, the flood lasted 40 days and 40 nights (Genesis 7:17). Moses spent 40 days and 40 nights on Mount Sinai receiving the Law (Exodus 24:18; 34:28). The Israelites wandered in the wilderness for 40 years before entering the Promised Land (Numbers 14:33-34; Deuteronomy 8:2). This period of wandering was a time of testing and discipline. Moses's life is often divided into three 40-year segments: 40 years in Egypt, 40 years in Midian, and 40 years leading Israel [4]. The prophet Elijah also fasted for 40 days and 40 nights (1 Kings 19:8). Augustine notes that the fast of 40 days has warrant in the Old Testament through Moses and Elijah [3].
The number 40 also appears in other contexts. For instance, Goliath challenged the Israelites for 40 days before David confronted him (1 Samuel 17:16). The reigns of several Israelite kings, including Saul, David, and Solomon, are recorded as lasting 40 years (Acts 13:21; 2 Samuel 5:4; 1 Kings 11:42). In the book of Numbers, specific counts of individuals, such as the Gershonites, are given, with some totals reaching into the thousands, like the 2,630 men aged 30 to 50 [1]. Other instances include the offering of a ram for a sin offering in Numbers 7:40 [2].
In the New Testament, Jesus fasted for 40 days and 40 nights in the wilderness before beginning his public ministry, enduring temptation from the devil (Matthew 4:2; Mark 1:13; Luke 4:2). After his resurrection, Jesus appeared to his disciples for 40 days before his ascension into heaven (Acts 1:3). This period was used to instruct them further about the kingdom of God.
The consistent appearance of the number 40 across various significant biblical narratives suggests its symbolic importance as a period of divine activity, often involving purification, trial, or the completion of a divinely appointed task.
Sources
- Numbers “even those who were numbered of them, by their families, by their fathers’ houses, were two thousand six hundred thirty. -- Numbers 4:40”
- Numbers “hircumque pro peccato : -- Numbers 7:40”
- Schaff ANF/NPNF (Patristic) “NPNF1 Vol 1: Augustine — Confessions, Letters — CHAP. XV. -- 28.6 The Fast of Forty Days has its warrant both in the Old Testament, from the fasting of Moses 7 and of Elijah,8 and in the Gospel from the fact that our Lord fasted the same number of (part 1): the Prophets. For the Law and the Prophets are represented in the persons of Moses and Elijah respectively i between whom also He appeared in glory on the Mount, that what the apostle says of Him, that He is "witnessed unto both by the Law and the Prophets,"10 might be made more clearly manifest. Now, in what part of the year could the obs”
- Sefaria (Jewish (Rationalist)) “Abraham Ibn Ezra on Exodus 12:40: NOW THE TIME THAT THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL DWELT IN EGYPT WAS FOUR HUNDRED AND THIRTY YEARS. There are many calculations 454 Of years. in Scripture whose point of departure is unknown to us. I will now mention a few of them. And it came to pass at the end of forty years, that Absalom said unto the king (II Sam. 15:7). Now Absalom was not then forty years old. 455 David reigned for 40 years (I Kings 2:11). Absalom was born after David was crowned king in Hebron (II Sam. 3:2) and predeceased David (II Sam. 18:14). Thus Absalom’s entire life span was less than 40 y”