The answer is: 40

Josh 5:6

The 40 years of wilderness wandering is a significant season in the Israelites' journey, marking one of the most transformative periods in their history. This time of wandering, according to Joshua 5:6, was not just a consequence of disobedience but also a time of particular growth and learning. It echoes earlier Biblical themes, presenting us with the notion that trials and tribulations can often precede pivotal moments of emergence—much like a seed that must break open underground before it can sprout.

During these decades, the Israelites became a cohesive nation, bonded by shared experiences and struggles. They received the Ten Commandments and learned the importance of faith and reliance on the divine. Remarkably, this wandering is reminiscent of other figures in scripture who journeyed through barren places seeking deeper revelations—think of Moses tending his flocks in Midian or Elijah escaping to the wilderness after a powerful confrontation with prophets of Baal.

Fun fact: During their travels, the Israelites' wanderings were guided by a cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night. Can you imagine the spectacle of that vibrant pillar illuminating their path through the dark nights of the desert?

In summary, the Israelites’ 40-year journey was about more than just geography; it was about developing faith, community, and identity—lessons that resonate even in today's disparate contexts.