40

by Morn - 12/02/11 4:32 PM

Have never understood how the obvious is overlooked! 40 derives directly from the period of 40 weeks = 40 x 7 days starting from the woman's last menstrual period to give the expected date if delivery of the baby, and as a unit if time has been so used for millennia! But then, later theologians of any religion probably didn't discuss their ideas with midwives and expectant mothers. Hence, the associations of 40 as a period of time with a period of preparation, incubation, sometimes trial, followed by a new and transformed beginning - it is a forward-looking number. The symbolism of 38 derives directly from this - the baby can be born any time from 2 weeks before to 2 weeks later, I.e. from 38 weeks, so 38 signifies the beginning of 'labour', the beginning of the new beginning - as in Deuteronomy, when Moses begins his preparations in earnest to invade Canaan, or in john's gospel when Jesus meets the man who has sought healing for 38 years. Also, in mark's gospel, count how many hours Jesus was dead. Mary (maureen) norrie

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