The Symbolic Meaning of 40, 70, and 120 is noteworthy from a Biblical perspective. Together they are symbolic to represent specific periods or quantities of time.
The number 40 is mentioned many times throughout Biblical Text. The 40 often represent a period of testing, trial, and/or preparation. According to the Bible, Noah’s ark was in the water for 150 days. But after the rain stopped, and the floodwater began to recede, it was another 40 days before Noah sent out a raven to see if the water had receded enough for him and his family to leave the ark, (Genesis 8:6-7). (Numbers 14:33-35) God tells Moses that because of the Israelites refusing to trust and obey HIM, they would wander like nomads for forty years. (Luke 10:1-11) Describes when Jesus sent HIS disciples out to preach, this was called, The “Mission of the Seventy”. After God scattered the nations from the tower of Babel, 70 nations were formed. There are the 70 descendants of Jacob, 70 being a number, which symbolizes completeness. (Genesis 6:3) States to man that the Lord’s Spirit will not contend with humans forever. Going on to say that, their days will be a hundred and twenty years. For, 120 years is the age limit that God established for humans to live after the flood. People can no longer live for hundreds of years as they did before. The number 120 is associated with the end of a particular era or dispensation. (Acts 1:15) Describes the disciples and other followers of Jesus gathering together after HIS ascension to heaven. It says that there were approximately 120 people present. This number of 120 symbolizes the coming of the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost, which had been promised by Jesus to HIS disciples before HIS ascension. The disciples and others remained together in prayer and unity, waiting for the fulfillment of this promise.
This article captures our spiritual responsibility towards fulfilling the Divine mandate of the Kingdom of God. Developing a relationship with God and going out and doing HIS will, is an integral part of being aligned with the Mission of the seventy. We who follow Christ are to go out into the world, heal the sick, and proclaim the good news of the Kingdom of God. It is important to develop a deep, trusting relationship with God, enabling us to perform miracles and overcome obstacles.
As Jesus demonstrated, trust in our CREATOR; completely rely upon HIM to provide for all our needs. In so doing, we are strengthened in our faith and are equipped to spread the Gospel, and facilitate the Divine plan in the earthly realm.
Genesis 8:6-7
New International Version
6 “After forty days Noah opened a window he had made in the ark 7 and sent out a raven, and it kept flying back and forth until the water had dried up from the earth.”
Genesis 8:6-7
King James Version
6 “And it came to pass at the end of forty days, that Noah opened the window of the ark which he had made:
7 And he sent forth a raven, which went forth to and fro, until the waters were dried up from off the earth.”
Genesis 8:6-7
Living Bible
6 “After another forty days, Noah opened a porthole 7 and released a raven that flew back and forth until the earth was dry.”
Numbers 14:33-34
New International Version
33 “Your children will be shepherds here for forty years, suffering for your unfaithfulness, until the last of your bodies lies in the wilderness. 34 For forty years—one year for each of the forty days you explored the land—you will suffer for your sins and know what it is like to have me against you.’ ”
Numbers 14:33-34
King James Version
33 “And your children shall wander in the wilderness forty years, and bear your whoredoms, until your carcases be wasted in the wilderness.
34 After the number of the days in which ye searched the land, even forty days, each day for a year, shall ye bear your iniquities, even forty years, and ye shall know my breach of promise.
Numbers 14:33-35
Living Bible
33 “You must wander in the desert like nomads for forty years. In this way you will pay for your faithlessness, until the last of you lies dead in the desert.
34-35 “‘Since the spies were in the land for forty days, you must wander in the wilderness for forty years—a year for each day, bearing the burden of your sins. I will teach you what it means to reject me. I, Jehovah, have spoken. Every one of you who has conspired against me shall die here in this wilderness.’” ”
Luke 10:1-11
New International Version
Jesus Sends Out the Seventy-Two
10 “After this the Lord appointed seventy-two others and sent them two by two ahead of him to every town and place where he was about to go. 2 He told them, “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field. 3 Go! I am sending you out like lambs among wolves. 4 Do not take a purse or bag or sandals; and do not greet anyone on the road.
5 “When you enter a house, first say, ‘Peace to this house.’ 6 If someone who promotes peace is there, your peace will rest on them; if not, it will return to you. 7 Stay there, eating and drinking whatever they give you, for the worker deserves his wages. Do not move around from house to house.
8 “When you enter a town and are welcomed, eat what is offered to you. 9 Heal the sick who are there and tell them, ‘The kingdom of God has come near to you.’ 10 But when you enter a town and are not welcomed, go into its streets and say, 11 ‘Even the dust of your town we wipe from our feet as a warning to you. Yet be sure of this: The kingdom of God has come near.’ ”
Luke 10:1-11
King James Version
10” After these things the Lord appointed other seventy also, and sent them two and two before his face into every city and place, whither he himself would come.
2 Therefore said he unto them, The harvest truly is great, but the labourers are few: pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he would send forth labourers into his harvest.
3 Go your ways: behold, I send you forth as lambs among wolves.
4 Carry neither purse, nor scrip, nor shoes: and salute no man by the way.
5 And into whatsoever house ye enter, first say, Peace be to this house.
6 And if the son of peace be there, your peace shall rest upon it: if not, it shall turn to you again.
7 And in the same house remain, eating and drinking such things as they give: for the labourer is worthy of his hire. Go not from house to house.
8 And into whatsoever city ye enter, and they receive you, eat such things as are set before you:
9 And heal the sick that are therein, and say unto them, The kingdom of God is come nigh unto you.
10 But into whatsoever city ye enter, and they receive you not, go your ways out into the streets of the same, and say,
11 Even the very dust of your city, which cleaveth on us, we do wipe off against you: notwithstanding be ye sure of this, that the kingdom of God is come nigh unto you.”
Luke 10:1-11
Living Bible
10 “The Lord now chose seventy other disciples and sent them on ahead in pairs to all the towns and villages he planned to visit later.
2 These were his instructions to them: “Plead with the Lord of the harvest to send out more laborers to help you, for the harvest is so plentiful and the workers so few. 3 Go now, and remember that I am sending you out as lambs among wolves. 4 Don’t take any money with you, or a beggar’s bag, or even an extra pair of shoes. And don’t waste time along the way.
5 “Whenever you enter a home, give it your blessing. 6 If it is worthy of the blessing, the blessing will stand; if not, the blessing will return to you.
7 “When you enter a village, don’t shift around from home to home, but stay in one place, eating and drinking without question whatever is set before you. And don’t hesitate to accept hospitality, for the workman is worthy of his wages!
8-9 “If a town welcomes you, follow these two rules:
(1) Eat whatever is set before you.
(2) Heal the sick; and as you heal them, say, ‘The Kingdom of God is very near you now.’
10 “But if a town refuses you, go out into its streets and say, 11 ‘We wipe the dust of your town from our feet as a public announcement of your doom. Never forget how close you were to the Kingdom of God!’ ”
Genesis 6:3
New International Version
3 “Then the Lord said, “My Spirit will not contend with humans forever, for they are mortal; their days will be a hundred and twenty years.” ”
Genesis 6:3
King James Version
3 “And the Lord said, My spirit shall not always strive with man, for that he also is flesh: yet his days shall be an hundred and twenty years.”
Genesis 6:3
Living Bible
3 “Then Jehovah said, “My Spirit must not forever be disgraced in man, wholly evil as he is. I will give him 120 years to mend his ways.” ”
Acts 1:15
New International Version
15 “In those days Peter stood up among the believers (a group numbering about a hundred and twenty)”
Acts 1:15
King James Version
15 “And in those days Peter stood up in the midst of the disciples, and said, (the number of names together were about an hundred and twenty,)”
Acts 1:15
Living Bible
15 “This prayer meeting went on for several days. During this time, on a day when about 120 people were present, Peter stood up and addressed them as follows:”