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Meaning of Numbers in the Bible
Number 40 (Forty)
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Forty
has long been universally recognized as an important number, both on account of the frequency of its occurrence, and the uniformity of its
association with a period of probation, trial, and chastisement—(not judgment, like the number 9, which stands in connection with the punishment of enemies, but
the chastisement of sons, and of a covenant people). It is the product of 5 and 8, and points to the action of grace (5), leading to and ending in revival and renewal
(8). This is certainly the case where Forty relates to a period of evident probation. But where it relates to enlarged dominion, or to renewed or extended rule,
then it does so in virtue of its factors 4 and 10, and in harmony with their signification.
There are 15 such periods which appear on the surface of the Scriptures, and which may be thus classified:—
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Forty Years of Probation by Trial:
Israel in the wilderness, Deut 8:2-5; Psa 95:10; Acts 13:18 (the third 40 of Moses' life, 120 years).
Israel from the crucifixion to the destruction of Jerusalem.
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Forty Years of Probation by Prosperity in Deliverance and Rest:
under Othniel, Judg 3:11,
under Barak, Judg 5:31,
under Gideon,
Judg 8:28.
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Forty Years of Probation by Prosperity in Enlarged Dominion:
under David, 2 Sam 5:4,
under Solomon, 1 Kings 11:42,
under Jeroboam
II. See 2 Kings 12:17,18, 13:3,5,7,22,25, 14:12-14,23,28,
under Jehoash, 2 Kings 12:1,
under Joash, 2 Chron 24:1.
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Forty Years of Probation by Humiliation and Servitude:
Israel under the Philistines, Judg 13:1.
Israel in the time of Eli, 1 Sam 4:18.
Israel under Saul, Acts 13:21.
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Forty Years of Probation by Waiting:
Moses in Egypt, Acts 7:23.
Moses in Midian, Acts 7:30
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FORTY DAYS
There are eight of such great periods on the surface of the Bible:
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Forty days Moses was in the mount, Exo 24:18; and to receive the Law, Exo 24:18.
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Forty days Moses was in the mount after the sin of the Golden Calf, Deut 9:18,25.
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Forty days of the spies, issuing in the penal sentence of the 40 years, Num 13:26, 14:34.
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Forty days of Elijah in Horeb, 1 Kings 19:8.
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Forty days of Jonah and Nineveh, Jonah 3:4.
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Forty days Ezekiel lay on his right side to symbolize the 40 years of Judah's transgression.*
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Forty days Jesus was tempted of the Devil, Matt 4:2.
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Forty days Jesus was seen of His disciples, speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God, Acts 1:2.
* Thus 40 becomes a number closely connected with Judah, as 390 (Eze 4:5) is the number of separated Israel. The
significance of this will be seen (on note on number 8), for 40 is a multiple of 8, and 390 is a multiple of 13. It may also be noted that 65 (5x13) is the number of
Ephraim, while 70 is specially connected with Jerusalem. |
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