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What is the Significance of the Number 40 In the Bible?

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Summary: Surprisingly a time period of 40 (days, weeks, years) is actually significant. The information below is from Nave's Topical Bible. Each time period of 40 units is related to testing, probation or being tried. Also notice each period ends with a time or item of blessing.

Forty from Nave's Topical Bible

Remarkable coincidences in the number
DAYS
- Of rain, at the time of the flood
- Genesis 7:17
- Of flood, before sending forth the raven
- Genesis 8:6
- For embalming
- Genesis 50:3
- Of fasting
  - By Moses
  - Exodus 24:18; 34:28; Deuteronomy 9:9,25
  - By Elijah
  - 1 Kings 19:8
  - By spies in the land of promise
  - Numbers 13:25
- Of probation, given to the Ninevites
- Jonah 3:4
- By Jesus
- Matthew 4:2
- Christ's stay after the resurrection
- Acts 1:3
- Symbolical
- Ezekiel 4:6
YEARS
- Wanderings of the Israelites in the wilderness
- Exodus 16:35; Numbers 14:34
- Peace in Israel
- Judges 3:11; 5:31; 8:28
- Egypt to be desolated
- Ezekiel 29:11
- To be restored after
- Ezekiel 29:13
STRIPES
- Administered in punishing criminals
- Deuteronomy 25:3; 2 Corinthians 11:24

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