<Li> The New General Catalogue object NGC 40, a magnitude 12.4 planetary nebula in the constellation Cepheus </Li> <P> The number 40 is used in Jewish, Christian, Islamic, and other Middle Eastern traditions to represent a large, approximate number, similar to "umpteen". </P> <Ul> <Li> In the Hebrew Bible, forty is often used for time periods, forty days or forty years, which separate "two distinct epochs". </Li> <Li> Rain fell for "forty days and forty nights" during the Flood . (Genesis 7: 4) </Li> <Li> Spies were sent by Moses to explore the land of Canaan (promised to the children of Israel) for "forty days ." (Numbers 13: 2, 25) </Li> <Li> The Hebrew people lived in the lands outside of the promised land for "forty years". This period of years represents the time it takes for a new generation to arise . (Numbers 32: 13) </Li> <Li> Several Jewish leaders and kings are said to have ruled for "forty years", that is, a generation . Examples include Eli (1 Samuel 4: 18), Saul (Acts 13: 21), David (2 Samuel 5: 4), and Solomon (1 Kings 11: 42). </Li> <Li> Goliath challenged the Israelites twice a day for forty days before David defeated him . (1 Samuel 17: 16) </Li> <Li> Moses spent three consecutive periods of "forty days and forty nights" on Mount Sinai: </Li> </Ul> <Li> In the Hebrew Bible, forty is often used for time periods, forty days or forty years, which separate "two distinct epochs". </Li>

What is the meaning of 40 years in the bible