40

[Dream]

Why do you suppose the number 40 keeps recuring in the Bible?

Noah was on the ark for 40 days and 40 nights.
The Isrealites wandered for 40 years.
Moses was on Mount Sinai for 40 days.
The story of Jonah took place during 40 days.
Jesus was tempted for 40 days.
There was 40 days between Jesus's ascension and resurection.

What do think 40 means?

 

[raptor13]

i think 40 is used a general number for "a long period of time".

 

[St_Joseph_Cupertino]

I heard somewhere - I think our priest mentioned it - that 40 is the number God uses for purification.

I remember that it was our priest, because he had 40 granite tiles, arranged in a 10 x 4 matrix, placed in front of the tabernacle to purify him as he gathers the Body of our Lord.

Looking back on your examples, they are all "Trial periods" or periods of cleansing.

Peace in Christ!

 

[Credo]

40 represents a period of testing, judgement, and purification.

 

[ZooMom]

That's why Lent is 40 days long.

 

[anawim]

Why do you suppose the number 40 keeps recuring in the Bible?

Noah was on the ark for 40 days and 40 nights.
The Isrealites wandered for 40 years.
Moses was on Mount Sinai for 40 days.
The story of Jonah took place during 40 days.
Jesus was tempted for 40 days.
There was 40 days between Jesus's ascension and resurection.

What do think 40 means?

40 is a time of either testing or purification.

 

[Dream]

40 represents a period of testing, judgement, and purification.

But where do we get it from? Why 40 and not 45?

 

[Credo]

I'll have to do some looking into this. I have a couple of source books at home that cover some of the meanings and reasons behind the numberst that we see used throughout the bible.

My guess would be that it comes from the Hebrew language. The one number that I remember right off hand is the number "7". The word for the number seven comes from the Hebrew word for swearing an oath. When you take an oath, you are "seven-ing" yourself.

If I find anything, I'll let you know.

JMJ

 

[Dream]

I'll have to do some looking into this. I have a couple of source books at home that cover some of the meanings and reasons behind the numberst that we see used throughout the bible.

My guess would be that it comes from the Hebrew language. The one number that I remember right off hand is the number "7". The word for the number seven comes from the Hebrew word for swearing an oath. When you take an oath, you are "seven-ing" yourself.

If I find anything, I'll let you know.

JMJ

Thanks. But you really don't have to do too much researching for my sake. I was just curious if anybody knew off the top of their head.

 

[Credo]

Sorry! I think it's the other way around. The Hebrew word for swearing an oath comes from the Hebrew word for seven. Thus, when you swear an oath you are seven-ing yourself.

 

[icxn]

The number 4 symbolizes nature for according to ancient alchemy nature is 'made up' of four elements: fire, earth, water, air. The number ten 10 signifies perfection, for according to the Law the fulfillment of the ten commandments made one righteous. So the number 40 means - usually - the perfection of natural philosophy, that is, the contemplation of God through created nature.

icxn

 

[Dream]

The number 4 symbolizes nature for according to ancient alchemy nature is 'made up' of four elements: fire, earth, water, air. The number ten 10 signifies perfection, for according to the Law the fulfillment of the ten commandments made one righteous. So the number 40 means - usually - the perfection of natural philosophy, that is, the contemplation of God through created nature.

icxn

Interesting... Thanks for the response.