40 days vs bible

mcndomba maprosoo · 2013-09-13T22:29:30+00:00

The number 40 shows up often in the Bible. Because 40 appears so often in contexts dealing with judgment or testing, many scholars understand it to be the number of probation or trial. This doesnt mean that 40 is entirely symbolic; it still has a literal meaning in Scripture. Forty days means forty days, but it does seem that God has chosen this number to help emphasize times of trouble and hardship. Here are some examples of the Bibles use of the number40that stress the theme of testing or judgment: In the Old Testament, when God destroyed the earth with water, He caused it to rain 40 days and 40 nights (Genesis 7:12). After Moses killed the Egyptian, he fled to Midian, where he spent 40 years in the desert tending flocks (Acts 7:30). Moses was on Mount Sinai for 40 days and 40 nights (Exodus 24:18). Moses interceded on Israels behalf for 40 days and 40 nights (Deuteronomy 9:18,25). The Law specified a maximum number of lashes a man could receive for a crime, setting the limit at 40 (Deuteronomy 25:3). The Israelite spies took 40 days to spy out Canaan (Numbers 13:25). The Israelites wandered for 40 years (Deuteronomy 8:2-5). Before Samsons deliverance, Israel served the Philistines for 40 years (Judges 13:1). Goliath taunted Sauls army for 40 days before David arrived to slay him (1 Samuel 17:16). When Elijah fled from Jezebel, he traveled 40 days and 40 nights to Mt. Horeb (1 Kings 19:8). The number40also appears in the prophecies of Ezekiel (4:6; 29:11-13) and Jonah (3:4). In the New Testament, Jesus was tempted for 40 days and 40 nights (Matthew 4:2). There were 40 days between Jesus resurrection and ascension (Acts 1:3). Whether or not the number40really has any significance is still debated. The Bible definitely seems to use40to emphasize a spiritual truth, but we must point out that the Bible nowhere specifically assigns any special meaning to the number40. Some people place too much significance onnumerology, trying to find a special meaning behind every number in the Bible. Often, a number in the Bible is simply a number, including the number40. God does not call us to search for secret meanings, hidden messages, or codes in the Bible. There is more than enough truth in the plain words of Scripture to meet all our needs and make us complete and thoroughly equipped for every good work (2 Timothy 3:16). Stay blessed! SOURCE: What is the significance of 40 days in the Bible?

Thread starter mcndomba maprosoo
Start date Sep 14, 2013

mcndomba maprosoo

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40 days vs bible

mcndomba maprosoo

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