40/Historical Note

Historical Note on $40$ (Forty)

In the Bible, $40$ was frequently used as a number associated with a long period of time:

The Israelites wandered for $40$ years in the Wilderness.

Also in the Wilderness, Jesus fasted for $40$ days and $40$ nights.

There are $40$ rods, poles or perches in a furlong.

Sources

• 1986: David Wells: Curious and Interesting Numbers ... (previous) ... (next): $40$
• 1997: David Wells: Curious and Interesting Numbers (2nd ed.) ... (previous) ... (next): $40$