Question: We are using your book “Knowing God 101″ in our adult Sunday School class. In Chapter 8, “Jesus Christ Son of God - Born to Die,” we are wondering if there is any Biblical or theological significance to the number 40. We know Jesus fasted for 40 days, the Flood was 40 days, and the Isrealites were in the desert for 40 years.

Answer: The number 40 is often understood as the “number of probation or trial” in the Bible. In addition to the examples you gave, there are these: Moses was on the mount for 40 days (Exodus 24:18); 40 days were involved in the story of Jonah and Nineveh (Jonah 3:4); and there were 40 days between Jesus’ resurrection and ascension (Acts 1:3).

Other numbers that have significance are 7 (completion or perfection) and 3 (divine perfection, as in the Trinity).

How much significance numbers have in Scripture is open to debate. The Bible definitely seems to use numbers in patterns or to teach a spiritual truth. But it’s probably a good idea to avoid putting too much emphasis on numbers, or trying too hard to find special meaning behind every number.