Saturday, 6 July 2024

Forty-fied

Forty-fied

Forty marks a significant inflection point for many people. 

Forty In the Word

Forty shows up more than 100 times in the Bible. The most significant examples are in the experiences of Noah, Moses, Saul, David, Solomon, Ezekiel, and of course, Jesus.

According to this author,  

Forty generally symbolised a period of testing, trial or probation.

According to this author,

...it’s a number associated with testing and the hardships one must endure to become more spiritually aware.

Forty in Asian words

Forty shows up in Chinese and Japanese culture too. 
Credit to Takeshi Yoshida who did a nice video on this.

My parents remind me that according to a Chinese proverb, likely from Confucius:
...三十而立,四十而不惑, 

In other words, 

...at 30 I stood firm at, 40 I had no more doubts

Forty in English words

Forty

This was interesting to read

40 years constituted a generation or the period at the end of which a man attains maturity, an idea common, it would seem, to the Greeks, the Israelites, and the Arabs.

Fortified

For some reason word "fortified" came up in my mind. I wonder about roots or links of the above symbols in the etymology. BUT something resonates with me. 

Fortified - Strengthened or made strong

40 Words about Forty

Through four decades of trials and troubles, 
    my awareness has grown more.

I still wrestle such weakness, confusion and doubt,
    but this I know for sure.

He who endured our painful forties with joy and kindness

    now fortifies generations more.