It is the number of judgment, trial, and preparation.
http://wiki.answers.com/Q/Why_is_the_number_40_signific...
A mystical number marking beginnings and endings, cyclic periods for growth and development: 7 Chakras 7 days to Create the world 7 Heavens Every 7 years is death and rebirth cycle 7 days of the week 52 (5+2=7) weeks in a year 7 colors in a...
http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20090221105...
A friend once told me about that being something to do with Shakespeare - or maybe that was 42? - Have to check on that conspiracy theory again. Anyways, here is a copy/paste from some website about the number 40: Forty has long been uni...
http://www.answerbag.com/q_view/1593991?ref=W_Ask&u...
It rained for 40 days and 40 nights when God wanted to cleanse the world and start over. (Gen 7:12 KJV) And the rain was upon the earth forty days and forty nights. Noah waited another 40 days after it rained before he opened a window in th...
http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20091125134...
Discerning the significance of any particular number in the Bible is a matter of inferrence, since the Bible nowhere spells out such distinctions in inspired language. However, Bible students agree that certain numbers which appear repeated...
http://baptistbiblehour.org/category/content-type/qa/pa...
The number forty is associated with probation and trial - but not judgement. There are a number of biblical references to Forty Days (and nights) ・ Forty days Moses was in the mount, Exodus 24:18; and to receive the Law, Exodus 24:18. ・ Fo...
http://wiki.answers.com/Q/What_does_the_number_40_signi...
The number 40 holds particular significance in the Bible and refers to a precise number, not just a long period of time. There are at least ten instances in the Old Testament and New Testament where 40 occurs, either in years or days, e.g. ...
http://wiki.answers.com/Q/Significance+of+40+in+the+bib...