The term "fortieth" in the Bible often signifies a period of testing, trial, or completion. The number forty is frequently used throughout Scripture to denote significant periods of time, and the fortieth day or year often marks the culmination of these periods.

Biblical Instances:

1. The Flood: In the account of Noah, the rain fell for forty days and forty nights. The fortieth day marked the end of this deluge, which was a divine judgment upon the earth. Genesis 7:12 states, "And the rain fell upon the earth forty days and forty nights."

2. Moses on Mount Sinai: Moses spent forty days and forty nights on Mount Sinai on two separate occasions. The fortieth day marked the completion of his time with God, during which he received the Law. Exodus 24:18 records, "Moses entered the cloud as he went up on the mountain, and he remained on the mountain forty days and forty nights."

3. Israel's Wilderness Wandering: The Israelites wandered in the wilderness for forty years as a result of their disobedience and lack of faith. The fortieth year marked the end of this period of testing and preparation before entering the Promised Land. Numbers 14:33-34 explains, "Your children will be shepherds in the wilderness for forty years, and they will suffer for your unfaithfulness, until the last of your bodies lies in the wilderness."

4. Spies in Canaan: The spies sent by Moses to explore the land of Canaan spent forty days in the land. The fortieth day marked the completion of their mission, which resulted in a report that tested the faith of the Israelites. Numbers 13:25 states, "After forty days, the men returned from spying out the land."

5. Elijah's Journey: The prophet Elijah traveled for forty days and forty nights to reach Mount Horeb, the mountain of God. The fortieth day marked the end of his journey and the beginning of a new phase in his prophetic ministry. 1 Kings 19:8 recounts, "So he got up and ate and drank, and strengthened by that food, he traveled forty days and forty nights until he reached Horeb, the mountain of God."

6. Jesus' Temptation: Jesus fasted for forty days and forty nights in the wilderness, where He was tempted by the devil. The fortieth day marked the end of this period of testing, after which He began His public ministry. Matthew 4:2 records, "After fasting forty days and forty nights, He was hungry."

Symbolism and Significance:

The fortieth day or year often symbolizes the completion of a period of trial or preparation. It is a time when God’s purposes are fulfilled, and a new phase begins. The use of the number forty in these contexts underscores themes of testing, judgment, and renewal. The fortieth period is a pivotal moment that often leads to transformation or a new beginning, as seen in the lives of Noah, Moses, the Israelites, Elijah, and Jesus.1. (a.) Following the thirty-ninth, or preceded by thirty-nine units, things, or parts.

2. (a.) Constituting one of forty equal parts into which anything is divided.

3. (n.) One of forty equal parts into which one whole is divided; the quotient of a unit divided by forty; one next in order after the thirty-ninth.

705. arbaim -- forty
... 1), 44,760* (1), 45* (1), 45,400* (1), 45,600* (1), 45,650* (2), 46,500* (2), 642*
(2), 648* (1), 743* (2), 745* (1), 845* (1), 945* (1), fortieth (3), forty ...
/hebrew/705.htm - 6k

The Fortieth Chapter: Man Has no Good in Himself and Can Glory in ...
... BOOK THREE. INTERNAL CONSOLATION The Fortieth Chapter: Man Has No Good in
Himself and Can Glory in Nothing. The Disciple LORD, what ...
/.../kempis/the imitation of christ/the fortieth chapter man has.htm

That in the Time of this Work a Soul Hath no Special Beholding to ...
... HERE BEGINNETH THE FORTIETH CHAPTER That in the time of this work a soul hath no
special beholding to any vice in itself nor to any virtue in itself. ...
/.../anonymous/the cloud of unknowing/here beginneth the fortieth chapter.htm

The Substance of all Perfection is Nought Else but a Good Will ...
... HERE BEGINNETH THE NINE AND FORTIETH CHAPTER The substance of all perfection is
nought else but a good will; and how that all sounds and comfort and sweetness ...
/.../anonymous/the cloud of unknowing/here beginneth the nine and 3.htm

A Good Teaching How a Man Shall Flee These Deceits, and Work More ...
... HERE BEGINNETH THE SIX AND FORTIETH CHAPTER A good teaching how a man shall flee
these deceits, and work more with a listiness of spirit, than with any ...
/.../anonymous/the cloud of unknowing/here beginneth the six and 3.htm

That all Witting and Feeling of a Man's Own Being must Needs be ...
... HERE BEGINNETH THE THREE AND FORTIETH CHAPTER That all witting and feeling of a
man's own being must needs be lost if the perfection of this word shall verily ...
/.../anonymous/the cloud of unknowing/here beginneth the three and 3.htm

A Good Declaring of Some Certain Deceits that May Befall in this ...
... HERE BEGINNETH THE FIVE AND FORTIETH CHAPTER A good declaring of some certain
deceits that may befall in this work. A good declaring ...
/.../anonymous/the cloud of unknowing/here beginneth the five and 3.htm

That in all Other Works Beneath This, Men Should Keep Discretion ...
... HERE BEGINNETH THE ONE AND FORTIETH CHAPTER That in all other works beneath
this, men should keep discretion; but in this none. ...
/.../anonymous/the cloud of unknowing/here beginneth the one and 3.htm

A Slight Teaching of this Work in Purity of Spirit; Declaring How ...
... HERE BEGINNETH THE SEVEN AND FORTIETH CHAPTER A slight teaching of this work in
purity of spirit; declaring how that on one manner a soul should shew his ...
/.../anonymous/the cloud of unknowing/here beginneth the seven and 3.htm

How a Soul Shall Dispose it on Its Own Part, for to Destroy all ...
... HERE BEGINNETH THE FOUR AND FORTIETH CHAPTER How a soul shall dispose it on its
own part, for to destroy all witting and feeling of its own being. ...
/.../anonymous/the cloud of unknowing/here beginneth the four and 3.htm

That by Indiscretion in This, Men Shall Keep Discretion in all ...
... HERE BEGINNETH THE TWO AND FORTIETH CHAPTER That by indiscretion in this, men shall
keep discretion in all other things; and surely else never. ...
/.../anonymous/the cloud of unknowing/here beginneth the two and 3.htm

Fortieth (4 Occurrences)
... thirty-ninth. Multi-Version Concordance Fortieth (4 Occurrences). Numbers
33:38 Aaron the priest went up into Mount Hor at the commandment ...
/f/fortieth.htm - 8k

One-and-fortieth (1 Occurrence)
One-and-fortieth. One, One-and-fortieth. One-eyed . Multi-Version
Concordance One-and-fortieth (1 Occurrence). 2 Chronicles ...
/o/one-and-fortieth.htm - 6k

Adonijah (28 Occurrences)
... of forty years" (2 Samuel 15:7). The natural meaning is not forty years after the
last-mentioned preceding date, but at the close of the fortieth calendar year ...
/a/adonijah.htm - 22k

One (26466 Occurrences)

/o/one.htm - 9k

Forthwith (30 Occurrences)

/f/forthwith.htm - 15k

Numbers (136 Occurrences)
... comprehended in the history extends from the second month of the second year after
the Exodus to the beginning of the eleventh month of the fortieth year, in ...
/n/numbers.htm - 71k

One-eyed (2 Occurrences)
One-eyed. One-and-fortieth, One-eyed. One-fifth . Multi-Version Concordance
One-eyed (2 Occurrences). ... One-and-fortieth, One-eyed. One-fifth . Reference ...
/o/one-eyed.htm - 7k

Outstanding (7 Occurrences)
... 1 Chronicles 26:31 Of the Hebronite, Jerijah 'is' the head, of the Hebronite, according
to his generations, for the fathers -- in the fortieth year of the ...
/o/outstanding.htm - 8k

Jazer (13 Occurrences)
... In the fortieth year of the reign of David they were sought for, and there
were found among them mighty men of valor at Jazer of Gilead. ...
/j/jazer.htm - 13k

Jerijah (2 Occurrences)
... In the fortieth year of the reign of David they were sought for, and there
were found among them mighty men of valor at Jazer of Gilead. ...
/j/jerijah.htm - 7k

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