"The Number Forty."
[posted prior to 10/12/02]
http://ichthys.com 
Question: 
First: rest assured we are not into numerology . But in our study of the Names of God, our verses we are studying deals with the Exodus . 40 years etc. What does the number 40 mean. Like for example 7 means completion, perfect.
Second Question: Where can I go to find more info on Nephilim in Num.13:32-14:4?
And what would be a good source to find the meaning of "numbers " Thanks!
Response:  
The number "40" as you probably know is a fairly significant one in the Bible from the standpoint of its usage anyway. It is: 
    1) the length of time it rained at the flood (Gen.7:12).
    2) the number of days our Lord was tempted (Matt.4:2). 
    3) the three phases of Moses life (Acts 7:23-42), and, therefore, the number of         years that the Israelites were in the desert (Acts 7:42; Heb.3:9). 
From these examples I think it fair to say that "40" represents a sufficiency of time (and probably of quantity as well); that is, it is long enough or large enough to remove doubt; long enough and large enough to prove God's point (whatever that may be in context). In the three examples above, 40 days makes clear that the flood was from God, a true and complete judgment with complete results; 40 days of testing is enough to remove all doubt that only death could have kept our Lord from carrying out His Father's plan to letter regardless of opposition; 40 years in the desert also a completeness of testing and of judgment combined. The best numerological work of which I am aware (one that deals with the subject from a strictly conservative point of view) is J.J. Davis Biblical Numerology (Grand Rapids 1968). You might also get good mileage out of articles in a Biblical encyclopedia (such as The Anchor Bible Dictionary). 
On the Nephilim, the issue is treated in detail in part 5 of The Satanic Rebellion (section III.1).
Yours in Christ, 
Bob Luginbill 
http://ichthys.com