Do you have any references for this. I can find no evidence to support this claim.
I, too remember this fact. There are many, many times that the number 40 is used, and this merely meant "many." And, no I can't quote where I've seen it; it is so prevalent that I can't even think of all the places I've read it.
I guess MY "faith" just doesn't allow me to discard scientific facts and stick simply to a document written by humans many years ago. Science is NOT a threat to religion. Those who see it as a threat are missing out on a lot of valuable information. I believe and follow what the Bible instructs as to "does and don'ts" but some of the historical timelines are awfully weak and easily proven to be skewed. JMHO, of course.
Flame away.....I gotta go anyway.