New American Standard Bible 1995

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Genesis

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8

:

6

“

Then it came about at the end of forty days, that Noah opened the window of the ark which he had made;

Lexicon

Verse part Definition: Part of speech: Strong's: Hebrew: Transliteration:
Then it came to fall out, come to pass, become, be Verb H1961 וַֽיְהִ֕י vay·hi
about at the end end Noun H7093 מִקֵּ֖ץ mik·ketz
of forty forty Noun H705 אַרְבָּעִ֣ים ar·ba·'im
Analysis:

Forty: Transition or change

Often people will speak of the number forty as a generational number. There is no evidence for such an interpretation from the Scripture. The number 40 expresses a change or transition. The examples for such a view are seen throughout both the Old and New Covenants. 

  • It rained for 40 days in the days of Noah (see Genesis 7:12). These rains brought about a transition; HaShem would begin the world again with the family of Noah. 
  • Moses was on Mount Sinai for 40 days and 40 nights (see Exodus 34:28). Although this was the second time Moses went up to the mountain, it was this time that the Law was actually given to the Children of Israel and a transition was made to Israel being commanded to observe the Law.
  • Yeshua was tested in the mountains of Judah for 40 days and 40 nights (see Matthew 4:2) and afterwards He began His ministry. Hence, a transition was made from when Yeshua did not minister to the time when He began to fulfill His Father's will in a formal way.
  • After the resurrection, Yeshua appeared for 40 days (Acts 1:3) and He ascended into the heavens. Yeshua's earthly ministry had finished and there was a transition to His disciples carrying on His work.
  • In the account of Absalom, the reader is told that at the end of 40 years (see 2 Samuel 15:7), Absalom requested permission to go to Hebron from his father. Although he said that he wanted to pay his vows, this was said so he could depart and begin his rebellion against David, his father. Why is 40 years mentioned? To what does the 40 years refer? Some commentaries say the 40 years was from when Saul began the monarchy. Whether this is true or not is undetermined. However, what is for sure is that there was a transition in the leadership of Israel. The number 40 appears in verse 7 to assist the reader in identifying this change in leadership.

Numerous other examples could be provided, but these few sufficiently demonstrate the meaning and use of the number 40 in the Scriptures. 

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days, day Noun H3117 יֹ֑ום yo·vm;
that Noah "rest," patriarch who survived the flood Noun H5146 נֹ֔חַ no·ach,
Analysis:
Read more about: Noah
opened to open Verb H6605 וַיִּפְתַּ֣ח vai·yif·tach
the window a window Noun H2474 חַלֹּ֥ון chal·lo·vn
of the ark a box, chest Noun H8392 הַתֵּבָ֖ה hat·te·vah
which who, which, that Particle H834 אֲשֶׁ֥ר a·sher
he had made; do, make Verb H6213 עָשָֽׂה׃ a·sah.

People

Noah

a woman of Manasseh

Parallel Verses

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New American Standard Bible 1995 Then it came about at the end of forty days, that Noah opened the window of the ark which he had made;
King James Bible Then And it came about to pass at the end of forty days, that Noah opened the window of the ark which he had made;made:
Hebrew Greek English Then it came about at the end of forty days, that Noah opened the window of the ark which he had made;