[SoothingDave]

Why then do you believe 40 days and 40 nights is figurative

Because it is idiomatic. As trad_anglican already said "40 days and 40 nights" means "a long time." "A thousand years" means "a really, really long time."

SD

[JohnnyM]

"Because it is idiomatic"

Your not answering the question. Why do you believe it to be idiomatic?

JM