For follow-up discussion and general commentary on the topic. Comments are sorted chronologically.
Alan Hitchner
In Biblical numerology we would recognize that 40 is composed of two factors: 2 and 5. 2 would present the number of The Father and The Son, The Son and Holy Spirit, The Holy Spirit and The Father and of procreative pairs in the Genesis. The number 5 often is associated in relationship with God's grace throughout the scriptures.