אַרְבָּעִים
Arba'im
Forty, generation, testing period
Arba'im (אַרְבָּעִים) is a Hebrew word meaning “forty, generation, testing period,” pronounced “ar-ba-EEM.” Derived from the root ר-ב-ע, arba'im appears 130 times in the Hebrew Bible (Strong's H705).
| Hebrew | אַרְבָּעִים |
|---|---|
| Transliteration | Arba'im |
| Pronunciation | ar-ba-EEM |
| Meaning | Forty, generation, testing period |
| Root Letters | ר-ב-ע |
| Occurrences in Hebrew Bible | 130× |
| Key Verse | Exodus 24:18 |
| Strong's Number | H705 |
| Category | Numbers & Measures |
If there is a number that defines transformation in the Bible, it is arba'im (אַרְבָּעִים) — forty. The flood lasted forty days and nights (Genesis 7:12). Moses spent forty days on Sinai receiving the Torah (Exodus 24:18) — twice. Israel wandered forty years in the wilderness (Numbers 14:33). Elijah traveled forty days to Horeb (1 Kings 19:8). Nineveh was given forty days to repent (Jonah 3:4). And Jesus fasted forty days in the wilderness before beginning His ministry (Matthew 4:2). The pattern is unmistakable: forty is the number of testing, purification, and preparation for a new beginning. It is the duration required for genuine transformation — long enough to break old patterns and establish new ones, long enough for a generation to pass and a new one to arise. When you see arba'im in Scripture, you are witnessing a period of divine training. God does not rush transformation. He takes forty days, forty years — whatever it takes to prepare His people for what comes next.
Key Bible Verse: Exodus 24:18
“Moses entered the cloud and went up on the mountain. And Moses was on the mountain forty (arba'im) days and forty nights.”
What Is the Root of Arba'im in Hebrew?
Arba'im is the plural form of arba (four), meaning 'forties.' The connection between four (representing the earth's four corners/directions) and forty (a complete period of earthly testing) may suggest that forty represents a full cycle of earthly trial.
What Does Arba'im Mean in the Bible?
Arba'im appears over 130 times in the Hebrew Bible. Key uses: the flood (Genesis 7:12), Moses on Sinai (Exodus 24:18), wilderness wandering (Numbers 14:33), Goliath's forty-day challenge (1 Samuel 17:16), Elijah's journey (1 Kings 19:8), and Jesus' temptation (Matthew 4:2).
How Is Arba'im Used in Modern Hebrew?
In Jewish tradition, age forty marks the age of understanding (binah) — Pirkei Avot 5:22 says 'Forty for understanding.' Moses was forty when he fled Egypt, forty more years in Midian, and received the Torah at eighty. Forty represents the maturation necessary for wisdom.
How to Use Arba'im in Prayer & Worship
If you are in a 'forty' season — a prolonged period of testing, wilderness, or waiting — take courage. God is not punishing you; He is preparing you. The wilderness is where He fed Israel manna daily, and it is where He will meet you too. Trust the process of arba'im.
Frequently Asked Questions About Arba'im
How do you say “Forty” in Hebrew?
“Forty” in Hebrew is Arba'im (אַרְבָּעִים), pronounced “ar-ba-EEM.” Arba'im is the plural form of arba (four), meaning 'forties.' The connection between four (representing the earth's four corners/directions) and forty (a complete period of earthly testing) may suggest that forty represents a full cycle of earthly trial.
What does Arba'im mean in the Bible?
Arba'im (אַרְבָּעִים) means “Forty, generation, testing period” in Biblical Hebrew. Arba'im appears over 130 times in the Hebrew Bible. Key uses: the flood (Genesis 7:12), Moses on Sinai (Exodus 24:18), wilderness wandering (Numbers 14:33), Goliath's forty-day challenge (1 Samuel 17:16), Elijah's journey (1 Kings 19:8), and Jesus' temptation (Matthew 4:2).
How do you pronounce Arba'im?
Arba'im is pronounced “ar-ba-EEM.” The word comes from the Hebrew root ר-ב-ע.
Why does the number 40 appear so often in the Bible?
Forty consistently marks periods of testing, transformation, and transition. The flood purified the earth in 40 days. Israel was refined in 40 years of wilderness. Moses was transformed in 40 days on Sinai. Jesus was tested in 40 days of fasting. The pattern shows that God uses extended periods of difficulty to prepare His people for greater purpose.
Is the number 40 literal or symbolic?
It can be both. Some occurrences are precise (Moses on Sinai for exactly 40 days). Others may be round numbers representing 'a generation' or 'a complete period of testing.' In Hebrew thought, the distinction between literal and symbolic is less important than the theological meaning: forty signals a divinely appointed period of transformation.
What is the connection between 40 and Lent?
The Christian season of Lent — 40 days of fasting and repentance before Easter — directly mirrors Jesus' 40-day fast in the wilderness (Matthew 4:1-11). It also echoes Israel's 40-year wilderness journey. Lent applies the biblical forty principle: intentional, extended preparation leads to transformation and readiness to enter God's promises.
Sources & Further Study
- Blue Letter Bible — H705: Arba'im
- Bible Gateway — Exodus 24:18 (ESV)
- Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (BDB) — entry for ר-ב-ע
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