Number-40-in-the-Tanakh

 

 

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Re Tanakh versions:

Throughout this site I may use any of three versions of the Tanakh: 1. “Jewish Publication Society” (JPS-1917), 2“Mechon-Mamre.org (MEC), and 3. “Sefaria.org (SEF), three brilliant versions, However, the JPS-1917 is my preferred version!

Colour coded details of our beloved TaNaKh:

1. Torah = History & Law, 2. Nevi’im = The Prophets. 3. *Ketuvim all other Writings.

*The Ketuvim - Includes, Poetical books - Psalms, Proverbs, Job, the Megillot, or Scrolls - Song of Solomon, Ruth, Lamentations of Jeremiah, Ecclesiastes, and Esther, prophecy of Daniel, and history of Ezra, Nehemiah, and Chronicles I & II.

Please Note: Some alterations or (additions) have been made relating to ‘Names’ and ‘Attributes’ of אֱלֹהִים - Elohim (God), having been corrected like it once was pre the “Masoretic Text”.

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Remember the following truth from our beloved Torah!

Ye shall NOT ADD TO THE WORD which I command you, NEITHER SHALL YE DIMINISH FROM IT, that ye may keep the commandments of אֱלֹהֵיכֶם יְהוָה - the LORD your Eloleichem, which I command you”. Davarim - Deuteronomy 4:2. (JPS-1917).

However, what have both priests and rabbis of the past done, they purposely made grave and ridiculous changes to our beloved Scriptures!

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“Number 40 in the Tanakh”

With Rabbi, Dr. Reuven Ben Avraham-Goossens, PhD.

 

Let us look at just a Partial Listing of The Number ‘40’ in the Torah/Tanakh.

This page covers an important number, which comes up frequently in the Tanakh. Obviously, as shown above it is the number ‘40’.

From Noach to Moshe:

1.    The rains during Noach’s great flood, rain fell for 40 days and 40 nights. Genesis 7:4.

2.    Moshe - Moses lives in a Royal Palace as a prince for 40 years and then he was banished.

3.    Then Moshe lived in the dessert as a shepherd for 40 years, until called by יְהוָה - the LORD on Mt Sinai aged 80.

4.    Moshe led Israel from Egypt aged 80. Thus double 40 years.

5.    Moshe - Moses was with Elohim on the mount for 40 days and 40 nights. Exodus 24:18.

6.    After 40 years leading Israel in the wilderness, he died aged 120 (3 times 40). Deuteronomy 34:7.

7.    The spies searched the land of Canaan for 40 days. Numbers 13:25.

8.    Thus, Elohim made Israel wander for 40 years. Numbers 14:33 34.

Other events and times related to “40”:

9.    The maximum penalty of punishment was 40 stripes with the whip. Deuteronomy 25:3.

10.  Goliath presented himself to Israel for 40 days. 1 Samuel 17:16.

11.  King Shaul reigned for 40 years.

12.  King Dovid - David reigned over Israel for 40 years. 2 Samuel 5:4, 1 Kings 2:11.

13.  King Shlomo - Solomon reigned like his father for 40 years. 1 Kings 11:42.

14.  Eliyahu - Elijah the prophet had one meal that gave him strength for 40 days. 1 Kings 19:8.

15.  King Jehoash - Joash reigned for 40 years in Jerusalem. 2 Kings 12:1.

16.  Egypt to be laid desolate for 40 years.  Ezekiel 29:11-12.

17.  Yehechel – Ezekiel’s prophetic temple is 40 cubits long. Ezekiel 41:2.

18.  The courts in his temple were 40 cubits long. Ezekiel 46:22.

19.  Elohim gave Nineveh 40 days to repent. Jonah 3:4.

In our blessed Scriptures, the number 40 is rarely used to denote a precise mathematical figure. Instead, it serves as a powerful symbol for ‘transition’, ‘purification’, and ‘preparation’.

Think of it as a “rese” number that marks the end of one era and the birth of something entirely new.

Key Symbolic Meanings:

Transformation & Rebirth: Our Hebraic tradition often links 40 to the time it takes for a fetus to form. Just as a child is “formed” in this period, the world or a nation is often “reformed” through 40-unit cycles, such as the 40 days of rain during the Great Flood.

Spiritual Maturity: We are told that at the age 40 is the milestone for attaining ‘binah’ (deeper understanding or wisdom). It suggests that a person or a people must endure a full cycle of experience before they are ready to truly lead or understand אֱלֹהִים - Elohim’s laws.

Testing & Probation: It frequently represents a time of trial where faith is put to the test. Passing through the “40” (whether days or years) signifies that the person or group has been sufficiently prepared for their next mission.

Ritual Purification: A mikvah (ritual bath) must contain at least 40 se’ah (a specific measure) of water to be considered valid for purification. This physical requirement mirrors the spiritual theme of 40 days/years washing away the old to make way for the new!

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Below are some famous “40s” in the Tanakh:

 

Period:

     Event / Significance

40 Days:

Duration of rain during Noah’s Flood, resetting the earth.

40 Days:

Time Moses spent on Mt. Horeb (not Sinai which means wilderness) on separate times to receive the Torah and seek forgiveness.

40 Years:

The Israelites’ wandering in the wilderness to allow a new generation to arise.

40 Years:

The length of the reigns of Saul, David, and Solomon, representing a complete “generation” of leadership.

40 Lashes:

The maximum punishment prescribed by Torah, intended to bring an offender to a point of atonement.

In essence, whenever you see “40” in the text, it’s a signal that a radical change is happening, a period of struggle that leads to a higher state of being!

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This site was originally created, for those who desired to return to our blessed and wonderful faith. Thus be wise and work on your faith and pray at least two or three times a day (if possible) and always seek our beloved אֱלֹהִים - Elohim’s guidance, for His love is always with us, especially when we seek Him, blessed be He! However this site has become very much a teaching site with hundreds of studies!

Remember what אֱלֹהִים - Elohim, blessed be He, said the following through a number of our prophets...

Return unto Me, and I will return unto you, saith צְבָאוֹת- יְהוָה- the LORD of hosts” Mal’a’chi - Malachi 3:7. (JPS).

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“Hebraic Studies” motto is as follows;

“The More Torah, the More Life”,

For Elohim is the One who gave us our ... Life!”

May the שָׁלוֹם - Shalom = Peace of צְבָאוֹת- יְהוָהthe LORD of hosts, be with you, and please always uphold our blessed שַׁבָּת - Shabbat, as well as the מוֹעֲדִים Mo’a’dim - Feasts, and continue saying your daily תְּפִלָּה - Tefeelah’s - Prayers and regular בְּרָכָה Be’ra’chah’s - blessings before food and drinks, etc!

שָׁלוֹם עֲלֵיכֶם Shalom Aleichem - Peace be with you!

Rabbi, Dr. Reuven Ben Avraham-Goossens, PhD.

 

 

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