Throughout the Bible, we see 40 days mentioned again and again. This was true for the 40 days of rain during the flood (Genesis 7:12) as well as 40 days of Jesus' temptation in the desert (Matthew 4:2). Moses was also on Mount Sinai for 40 days and 40 nights (Exodus 24:18). During this time, Moses acted as an intercessor for Israel. For forty years, the Israelites wandered in the desert (Deuteronomy 8:2–5).

Jesus' temptation in the wilderness for 40 days and 40 nights was to show His power, divinity, and to prove His obedience where we were not obedient. After Jesus' resurrection, there were 40 days before He was taken up into Heaven (Acts 1:3). During this time, Jesus taught His disciples about the Kingdom. With all these references to the number 40, it can be hard to ignore it.

Although the Bible does mention 40 days and 40 nights to great lengths, we cannot say that it symbolizes some sort of spiritual truth. It is intriguing; however, the Bible never directly states that the number 40 is significant. We need to be careful not to apply any non-biblical meanings to the Bible because it can cause us to be led astray from the true Word of God. The Bible is complete as it is, and we don't need to become too interested in numbers (2 Timothy 3:16–17).