Sacred Time: τεσσαράκοντα (Strong’s G5062: tessarakonta) Reveals Divine Testing

Strong’s G5062: A cardinal number meaning “forty,” appearing significantly in biblical narratives of testing, preparation, and divine encounters. Used symbolically to denote complete periods of trial, purification, or spiritual formation in both Old and New Testament contexts.

U – Unveiling the Word

τεσσαράκοντα carries profound theological significance beyond its numerical value. In the New Testament, it first appears in Matthew 4:2, describing Jesus’ period of fasting and testing in the wilderness, deliberately echoing Moses’ forty days on Sinai and Israel’s forty years in the desert. This number consistently represents periods of testing, preparation, and divine encounter throughout Scripture. The early church recognized τεσσαράκοντα as symbolizing complete periods of trial and transformation. Today, it continues to remind us that God uses seasons of testing to shape and prepare His people for greater purposes.

N – Necessary Information

• Greek Word: τεσσαράκοντα, tessarakonta, tes-sa-rak’-on-tah
• Phonetic Guide: tes (as in “test”) + sa + rak (as in “rock”) + on + tah
• Part of Speech: Numeral (Indeclinable)

Etymology:

• From τέσσαρες (tessares) – four
• Related to Proto-Indo-European *kʷetwóres
• Forms basis for number forty in various compounds

D – Defining Meanings

• Forty
• A complete period of testing
• A full generation

Translation Options:

• “forty” – literal numerical value
• “a generation” – contextual meaning in some passages
• “a complete period” – symbolic meaning in certain contexts

E – Exploring Similar Words

• τεσσαρεσκαιδέκατος (tessareskaidekatos) – fourteenth See G5065
• τέσσαρες (tessares) – four See G5064
• τεσσαράκοντα καὶ τέσσαρες (tessarakonta kai tessares) – forty-four [See compound usage]

R – Reviewing the Word’s Morphology

Numerical Features:

• Indeclinable
• No case changes
• No gender variations
• No number variations

As an indeclinable numeral, τεσσαράκοντα maintains the same form regardless of its grammatical context. This reflects its function as a fixed quantity rather than a variable descriptor.

S – Studying Lexicon Insights

Lexical sources reveal τεσσαράκοντα’s rich significance. BDAG emphasizes its use in periods of testing and preparation. Thayer’s notes its frequent appearance in biblically significant periods. LSJ documents its use in Greek literature for complete cycles. Vine’s highlights its symbolic significance in Scripture. Strong’s connects it to the concept of completion through testing. Moulton and Milligan cite its use in administrative documents for official waiting periods. The combined evidence suggests τεσσαράκοντα carried both literal and symbolic significance in biblical contexts.

T – Tracing the Scriptures

First appearance:
“And after He had fasted forty [τεσσαράκοντα] days and forty nights, He then became hungry.” Matthew 4:2

Additional References:
Matthew 4:1-2, Acts 1:3, Acts 7:30, Acts 7:36, Acts 13:21, Hebrews 3:9, Hebrews 3:17

A – Analyzing Classical Usage

N – Noteworthy Summary

τεσσαράκοντα powerfully illustrates God’s pattern of using defined periods for testing and preparation. From Jesus’ wilderness temptation to His post-resurrection appearances, this number marks significant periods of divine work. The good news includes the truth that God uses seasons of testing to prepare us for His purposes, just as the Messiah’s forty days of testing preceded His public ministry. This word reminds us that periods of trial have divine purpose and limits.

D – Did You Know?

• Forty appears 146 times in Scripture (Old and New Testament combined)
• Ancient Jewish law required forty lashes minus one as maximum punishment
• Early church fathers saw symbolic completion in the number forty

Strong’s G5062: A cardinal number meaning “forty,” appearing significantly in biblical narratives of testing, preparation, and divine encounters. Used symbolically to denote complete periods of trial, purification, or spiritual formation in both Old and New Testament contexts.

Part of speech: Numeral

Tags: forty, testing, preparation, wilderness, temptation, generation, time-period, purification, trial, completion​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​