The Hebrew word arbaim (אַרְבָּעִים) is the cardinal number forty. Derived from arba (four), it represents a significant round number in Hebrew thought associated with periods of trial, testing, preparation, and divine visitation. The number forty appears dozens of times in Scripture marking significant periods.
Forty is one of Scripture's most theologically loaded numbers. Rain for forty days flooded the earth. Moses spent forty days on Sinai receiving the Law — twice. Israel wandered forty years in the wilderness. Goliath taunted Israel for forty days before David's victory. Elijah fasted forty days to Horeb. Jesus fasted forty days in the wilderness before His public ministry. In each case, arbaim marks a season of testing, preparation, or divine encounter after which a decisive moment arrives. The number signals: God is doing something profound here.