Forty
Wilson's Dictionary of Bible Types [1]
The number represents testing in human life.
Genesis 7:4 (c) Noah's faith was tested and found to be all that it should be.
Exodus 16:35 (c) GOD's faithfulness was tested and found to be sufficient for all the needs.
Exodus 24:18 (c) Israel's faith and trust were tested and failed. (See Exodus 32:7).
1 Samuel 4:18 (c) Eli was tested. He had judged Israel and failed at the end.
1 Samuel 17:16 (c) Israel was challenged and was proved to be utterly unworthy and cowardly.
Saul reigned forty years and was deposed as a failure.
2 Samuel 5:4 (c) David reigned forty years and ended his rule gloriously.
1 Kings 11:42 (c) Solomon reigned forty years and ended his period of testing in idolatry.
Matthew 4:2 (c) Jesus was tested forty days and forty nights. He came back more than a Conqueror. JESUS revealed Himself to His own for forty days after His resurrection so that they could endure the tests through the years. (See Acts 1:3).
Vine's Expository Dictionary of NT Words [2]
is used in circumstances in Scripture which indicate the number as suggesting probation, separation or judgment, e.g., Matthew 4:2; Acts 1:3; Hebrews 3:9,17 . Note: Tessarakontaetes, "forty years" (etos, "a year"), is found in Acts 7:23; 13:18 .
Webster's Dictionary [3]
(1): ( n.) A symbol expressing forty units; as, 40, or xl.
(2): ( a.) Four times ten; thirty-nine and one more.
(3): ( n.) The sum of four tens; forty units or objects.
King James Dictionary [4]
FOR'TY, a. See Four.
1. Four times ten. 2. An indefinite number a colloquial use. A, B and C, and forty more.
Hastings' Dictionary of the New Testament [5]
Forty —See Numbers.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia [6]
fôr´ti ( ארבּעים , 'arbā‛ı̄m ; τεσσαράκοντα , tessarákonta ). See Four (5); Number .
