Bible Dictionary: Fasting

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ATS Bible Dictionary

Fasting

In all ages, and among all nations, fasting has been practiced in times of sorrow, and affliction, Jonah 3:5. It may be regarded as a dictate of nature, which under these circumstances refuses nourishment, and suspends the cravings of hunger. In the Bible no example is mentioned of fasting, properly so-called, before Moses. His forty days' fast, like that of Elijah and of our Lord, was miraculous, De 9:9 1 Kings 19:8 Matthew 4:2. The Jews often had recourse to this practice, when they had occasion to humble themselves before God, to confess their sins and deprecate his displeasure, Jud 20:26 1 Samuel 7:6 2 Samuel 12:16 Nehemiah 9:1 1 Kings 19:8 Jeremiah 36:9. Especially in times of public calamity, they appointed extraordinary fasts, and made even the children at the breast fast, Joel 2:16 Daniel 10:2-3. They began the observance of their fasts, at sunset, and remained without eating until the same hour the next day. The great day of expiation was probably the only annual and national fast day among them.

It does not appear by his own practice or by his commands, that our Lord instituted any particular fast. On one occasion, he intimated that his disciples would fast after his death, Luke 5:34,35. Accordingly, the life of the apostles and first believers was a life of self-denials, sufferings, and fasting, 2 1 Corinthians 5:7 11:27. Our Savior recognized the custom, and the apostles practiced it as occasion required, Matthew 6:16-18 Acts 13:3 1 1 Corinthians 7:5.

Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary

(p. pr. & vb. n.) of Fast.

International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

FAST; FASTING

fast, fast'-ing (tsum; `innah nephesh, "afflict soul or self," i.e. practice self-denial; nesteia, nesteuein): It is necessary to get rid of some modern notions associated with fasting before we can form a correct idea of its origin and significance in the ancient world. For instance, in the case of many ailments the dieting of the patient is an essential part of the remedy. But we may readily assume that originally fasting was not based on the salutary influence which it exercised on the health of the subject. Considerations of therapeutics played no part in the institution. The theory that fasting, like many other ancient customs, had a religious origin, is in favor with scholars, but we must not assume a religious origin for all practices which in process of time came to be associated with religion.

Many customs, purely secular in their origin, have gradually obtained a religious significance, just as purely religious customs have been dissociated from religion. It is also possible and, in the light of some usages, probable, that different motives operated in the association of fasting, as of some other customs, with religion. Scholars have been too ready to assume that the original significance of fasting was the same in all countries and among all nations. Robertson Smith in his Religion of the Semites advanced and defended theory that fasting was merely a mode of preparation for the tribal meal in which sacrifice originated, and came to be considered at a later stage as part of the sacrificial act. This hypothesis apparently accounts for the otherwise strange fact that both fasting and feasting are religious acts, but it does not give a satisfactory explanation of the constant association of fasting with the "wearing of sackcloth," the "putting of ashes on the head," and other similar customs. It is obvious that very different motives operated in the institution of fasting and of feasting religious observances.

It is a matter of common observation and experience that great distress causes loss of appetite and therefore occasions abstinence from food. Hannah, who was greatly distressed on account of her childlessness, "wept, and did not eat" (1 Samuel 1:7). Violent anger produces the same effect (1 Samuel 20:34). According to 1 Kings 21:4, Ahab, "heavy and displeased" on account of Naboth's refusal to part with his estate, sulked and "would eat no bread." Fasting, originally the natural expression of grief, became the customary mode of proving to others the inner emotion of sorrow. David demonstrated his grief at Abner's death (2 Samuel 3:35) by fasting, just as the Psalmist indicated his sympathy with his adversaries' sorry plight in the same way (Psalm 35:13). In such passages as Ezra 10:6 Esther 4:3, it is not clear whether fasting is used in its religious significance or simply as a natural expression of sorrow (compare also Luke 5:33 and see below). This view explains the association of fasting with the mourning customs of antiquity (compare 1 Samuel 31:13 2 Samuel 1:12). As fasting was a perfectly natural and human expression and evidence of the subject's grief, it readily claimed a place among those religious customs whose main object was the pacification of the anger of God, or the excital of His compassion. Any and every act that would manifest the distressful state of the suppliant would appeal to the Deity and move Him to pity. The interesting incident recorded in 2 Samuel 12:16-23 suggests the twofold significance of fasting as a religious act or a mode of appealing to the Deity and as a funeral custom. David defends his fasting before and not after the child's death on the ground that while the child was alive David's prayer might be answered. His fasting was intended to make his petition effectual (compare also 1 Kings 21:27 Ezra 8:21 Esther 4:16). Occasionally fasting was proclaimed on a national scale, e.g. in case of war (Judges 20:26 2 Chronicles 20:3) or of pestilence (Joel 1:13 f). Fasting having thus become a recognized mode of seeking Divine favor and protection, it was natural that it should be associated with confession of sin, as indisputable evidence of penitence or sorrow for sin.

Fasting might be partial, i.e. abstinence from certain kinds of food, or total, i.e. abstinence from all food as well as from washing, anointing, sleeping. It might be of shorter or longer duration, e.g. for one day, from sunrise to sunset (Judges 20:26 1 Samuel 14:24 2 Samuel 1:12; 2 Samuel 3:35). In 1 Samuel 31:13 allusion is made to a seven days' fast, while Daniel abstained from "pleasant bread," flesh, wine and anointing for three weeks (Daniel 10:3). Moses (Exodus 34:28) and Elijah (1 Kings 19:8) fasted for 40 days. It is probable that these last three references presuppose a totally different conception of the significance of fasting. It is obvious that dreams made a deep impression on primitive man. They were communications from the departed members of the family. At a later stage they were looked upon as revelations from God. During sleep there is total abstinence from food. It was easy to draw the inference that fasting might fit the person to receive these communications from the world of spirits (Daniel 10:2). The close connection between fasting and insight-intellectual and spiritual-between simple living and high thinking is universally recognized.

See further under ABSTINENCE; FEASTS AND FASTS.

LITERATURE.

Nowack, Hebadische Archaologie; Benzinger, Hebadische Archaologie; Robertson Smith, Religion of the Semites.

T. Lewis

Greek

3521. nesteia -- fasting, a fast
... fasting, a fast. Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine Transliteration: nesteia Phonetic
Spelling: (nace-ti'-ah) Short Definition: fasting, the day of atonement ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3521.htm - 6k

777. asitos -- without eating, fasting
... without eating, fasting. Part of Speech: Adjective Transliteration: asitos Phonetic
Spelling: (as'-ee-tos) Short Definition: fasting Definition: fasting ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/777.htm - 6k

3523. nestis -- not eating
... not eating. Part of Speech: Adjective Transliteration: nestis Phonetic Spelling:
(nace'-tis) Short Definition: fasting, without food Definition: fasting, not ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3523.htm - 6k

3522. nesteuo -- to fast
... abstain from food. Word Origin from nestis Definition to fast NASB Word Usage
fast (14), fasted (2), fasting (4). to fast. From nestis ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3522.htm - 7k

776. asitia -- abstinence from food
... abstinence. From asitos; fasting (the state) -- abstinence. see GREEK asitos. (asitias) --
1 Occurrence. 775, 776. asitia. 777 . Strong's Numbers.
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/776.htm - 6k

Topical Bible Verses

Matthew 6:16-18
Moreover when you fast, be not, as the hypocrites, of a sad countenance: for they disfigure their faces, that they may appear to men to fast. Truly I say to you, They have their reward.
Topicalbible.org

Psalm 35:13
But as for me, when they were sick, my clothing was sackcloth: I humbled my soul with fasting; and my prayer returned into my own bosom.
Topicalbible.org

Acts 13:3
And when they had fasted and prayed, and laid their hands on them, they sent them away.
Topicalbible.org

Daniel 10:3
I ate no pleasant bread, neither came flesh nor wine in my mouth, neither did I anoint myself at all, till three whole weeks were fulfilled.
Topicalbible.org

Psalm 69:10
When I wept, and chastened my soul with fasting, that was to my reproach.
Topicalbible.org

Acts 13:2
As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them.
Topicalbible.org

Luke 2:37
And she was a widow of about fourscore and four years, which departed not from the temple, but served God with fastings and prayers night and day.
Topicalbible.org

Matthew 4:2
And when he had fasted forty days and forty nights, he was afterward an hungered.
Topicalbible.org

Acts 14:23
And when they had ordained them elders in every church, and had prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord, on whom they believed.
Topicalbible.org

Strong's Hebrew

6685. tsom -- fasting, a fast
... 6684, 6685. tsom. 6686 . fasting, a fast. Transliteration: tsom Phonetic
Spelling: (tsome) Short Definition: fast. Word Origin from ...
/hebrew/6685.htm - 6k

2908. tevath -- hungrily
... 2907, 2908. tevath. 2909 . hungrily. Transliteration: tevath Phonetic Spelling:
(tev-awth') Short Definition: fasting. Word ... 1). fasting. ...
/hebrew/2908.htm - 6k

6684. tsum -- to abstain from food, fast
... Word Origin a prim. root Definition to abstain from food, fast NASB Word Usage actually
(1), fast (6), fasted (12), fasted* (1), fasting (1). fast. ...
/hebrew/6684.htm - 6k

8589. taanith -- humiliation
... heaviness. From anah; affliction (of self), ie Fasting -- heaviness. see HEBREW
anah. 8588, 8589. taanith. 8590 . Strong's Numbers.
/hebrew/8589.htm - 6k

Library

Fasting
... ST. MATTHEW Chaps. I to VIII FASTING. 'Moreover, when ye fast, be not, as
the hypocrites, of a sad countenance: for they disfigure ...
//christianbookshelf.org/maclaren/expositions of holy scripture a/fasting.htm

On Fasting. In Opposition to the Psychics
On Fasting. In Opposition to the Psychics. <. On Fasting. In Opposition to
the Psychics Tertullian. Translated by Rev. S. Thelwall Table of Contents. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/tertullian/on fasting in opposition to the psychics/

(Of the Seasons for Fasting. )
... The Epistles of Pope Callistus. I. (Of the seasons for fasting.). Fasting,
which ye have learned to hold three times in the year ...
//christianbookshelf.org/unknown/the decretals/i of the seasons for.htm

Whether Fasting is an Act of virtue?
... OF FASTING (EIGHT ARTICLES) Whether fasting is an act of virtue? Objection
1: It would seem that fasting is not an act of virtue. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether fasting is an act.htm

Whether Fasting is an Act of Abstinence?
... OF FASTING (EIGHT ARTICLES) Whether fasting is an act of abstinence? Objection
1: It would seem that fasting is not an act of abstinence. ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether fasting is an act 2.htm

Whether Fasting is a Matter of Precept?
... OF FASTING (EIGHT ARTICLES) Whether fasting is a matter of precept? Objection
1: It would seem that fasting is not a matter of precept. ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether fasting is a matter.htm

Of the Practice of Piety in Fasting.
... THE PRACTICE OF PIETY. OF THE PRACTICE OF PIETY IN FASTING. There ... Paul
(Acts 27:33.) This is rather famine than fasting. Secondly ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/bayly/the practice of piety/of the practice of piety.htm

Of Fasting (Eight Articles)
... OF FASTING (EIGHT ARTICLES). We must now consider fasting: under which head there
are eight points of inquiry: (1) Whether fasting is an act of virtue? ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/of fasting eight articles .htm

Whether it is Requisite for Fasting that one Eat but Once?
... OF FASTING (EIGHT ARTICLES) Whether it is requisite for fasting that one
eat but once? Objection 1: It would seem that it is not ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether it is requisite for.htm

Thirteenth Lesson. Prayer and Fasting;'
... THIRTEENTH LESSON. Prayer and fasting;'. Prayer and fasting;' ... Howbeit this kind
goeth not out but by prayer and fasting'"Matthew 17:19-21. ...
/.../with christ in the school of prayer/thirteenth lesson prayer and fasting.htm

Thesaurus

Fasting (34 Occurrences)
... FAST; FASTING. ... But we may readily assume that originally fasting was not based on
the salutary influence which it exercised on the health of the subject. ...
/f/fasting.htm - 23k

Fast (157 Occurrences)
... There are many instances of private occasional fasting (1 Samuel 1:7: 20:34; 2
Samuel 3:35; 12:16; 1 Kings 21:27; Ezra 10:6; Nehemiah 1:4; Dan. ...
/f/fast.htm - 49k

Abstinence (2 Occurrences)
... that the body is the foe of the spirit, and that the progressive extirpation of
the natural desires and inclinations by means of fasting, celibacy, voluntary ...
/a/abstinence.htm - 25k

Purim (5 Occurrences)
... As the narrative shows, the wisdom of Mordecai, Esther's heroism, and fasting and
prayer availed to foil the dastardly scheme of Haman, who had already built ...
/p/purim.htm - 16k

Pur (3 Occurrences)
... As the narrative shows, the wisdom of Mordecai, Esther's heroism, and fasting and
prayer availed to foil the dastardly scheme of Haman, who had already built ...
/p/pur.htm - 15k

Ordination (12 Occurrences)
... Yet certain prophets and teachers were instructed by the Holy Spirit to "separate"
them (ie publicly) for their work, which they did by fasting and praying and ...
/o/ordination.htm - 19k

Temptation (22 Occurrences)
... 5. Exposition: (1) Fasting. ... There was nothing ascetic or ritualistic about
it, and so this is no example for ascetic fasting for us. ...
/t/temptation.htm - 30k

Ordain (13 Occurrences)
... Yet certain prophets and teachers were instructed by the Holy Spirit to "separate"
them (ie publicly) for their work, which they did by fasting and praying and ...
/o/ordain.htm - 19k

Sackcloth (47 Occurrences)
... Nehemiah 9:1 Now in the twenty-fourth day of this month the children of Israel were
assembled with fasting, and with sackcloth, and earth on them. ...
/s/sackcloth.htm - 23k

Kind (290 Occurrences)
... thee;' (YLT). Matthew 17:21 But this kind doesn't go out except by prayer
and fasting." (WEB KJV WEY ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS). Matthew 19 ...
/k/kind.htm - 35k

Bible Concordance

Fasting (34 Occurrences)

Matthew 6:16 "Moreover when you fast, don't be like the hypocrites, with sad faces. For they disfigure their faces, that they may be seen by men to be fasting. Most certainly I tell you, they have received their reward.
(WEB WEY DBY YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Matthew 6:17 But thou, when fasting, anoint thy head and wash thy face,
(DBY YLT)

Matthew 6:18 so that you are not seen by men to be fasting, but by your Father who is in secret, and your Father, who sees in secret, will reward you.
(WEB WEY DBY YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Matthew 15:32 Jesus summoned his disciples and said, "I have compassion on the multitude, because they continue with me now three days and have nothing to eat. I don't want to send them away fasting, or they might faint on the way."
(WEB KJV ASV DBY WBS YLT)

Matthew 17:21 But this kind doesn't go out except by prayer and fasting."
(WEB KJV WEY ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS)

Mark 2:18 John's disciples and the Pharisees were fasting, and they came and asked him, "Why do John's disciples and the disciples of the Pharisees fast, but your disciples don't fast?"
(WEB ASV DBY YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Mark 2:19 "Can a wedding party fast while the bridegroom is among them?" replied Jesus. "So long as they have the bridegroom with them, fasting is impossible.
(WEY)

Mark 8:3 If I send them away fasting to their home, they will faint on the way, for some of them have come a long way."
(WEB KJV ASV DBY WBS YLT)

Mark 9:29 He said to them, "This kind can come out by nothing, except by prayer and fasting."
(WEB KJV DBY WBS YLT)

Luke 2:37 and she had been a widow for about eighty-four years), who didn't depart from the temple, worshipping with fastings and petitions night and day.
(Root in WEB KJV WEY ASV DBY WBS NAS RSV NIV)

Acts 10:30 Cornelius said, "Four days ago, I was fasting until this hour, and at the ninth hour, I prayed in my house, and behold, a man stood before me in bright clothing,
(WEB KJV DBY WBS YLT)

Acts 13:2 While they were worshipping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, "Set apart for Me, now at once, Barnabas and Saul, for the work to which I have called them."
(WEY DBY YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Acts 13:3 So, after fasting and prayer and the laying on of hands, they let them go.
(WEY RSV)

Acts 14:23 When they had appointed elders for them in every assembly, and had prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord, on whom they had believed.
(WEB KJV WEY ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Acts 27:21 And there having been long fasting, then Paul having stood in the midst of them, said, 'It behoved 'you', indeed, O men -- having hearkened to me -- not to set sail from Crete, and to save this hurt and damage;
(YLT)

Acts 27:33 While the day was coming on, Paul begged them all to take some food, saying, "This day is the fourteenth day that you wait and continue fasting, having taken nothing.
(WEB KJV ASV WBS YLT)

1 Corinthians 7:5 Don't deprive one another, unless it is by consent for a season, that you may give yourselves to fasting and prayer, and may be together again, that Satan doesn't tempt you because of your lack of self-control.
(WEB KJV WBS YLT)

1 Kings 21:9 And she wrote in the letters, saying: 'Proclaim a fast, and set Naboth at the head of the people;
(See NIV)

Ezra 9:5 And at the evening oblation I arose up from my humiliation, even with my garment and my robe rent; and I fell upon my knees, and spread out my hands unto Jehovah my God;
(See JPS RSV)

Nehemiah 1:4 And it cometh to pass, at my hearing these words, I have sat down, and I weep and mourn 'for' days, and I am fasting and praying before the God of the heavens.
(YLT NAS RSV)

Nehemiah 9:1 Now in the twenty-fourth day of this month the children of Israel were assembled with fasting, and with sackcloth, and earth on them.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Esther 4:3 In every province, wherever the king's commandment and his decree came, there was great mourning among the Jews, and fasting, and weeping, and wailing; and many lay in sackcloth and ashes.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Esther 9:31 to confirm these days of Purim in their appointed times, as Mordecai the Jew and Esther the queen had decreed, and as they had imposed upon themselves and their descendants, in the matter of the fastings and their cry.
(Root in WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS NIV)

Psalms 35:13 But as for me, when they were sick, my clothing was sackcloth. I afflicted my soul with fasting. My prayer returned into my own bosom.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Psalms 69:10 When I wept, and chastened my soul with fasting, that was to my reproach.
(KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV)

Psalms 109:24 My knees are weak through fasting. My body is thin and lacks fat.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Isaiah 58:3 Wherefore have we fasted, and Thou seest not? Wherefore have we afflicted our soul, and Thou takest no knowledge?'-- Behold, in the day of your fast ye pursue your business, and exact all your labours.
(See NIV)

Isaiah 58:4 Behold, ye fast for strife and contention, and to smite with the fist of wickedness; ye fast not this day so as to make your voice to be heard on high.
(See RSV NIV)

Isaiah 58:6 Is not this the fast that I have chosen? to loose the fetters of wickedness, to undo the bands of the yoke, and to let the oppressed go free, and that ye break every yoke?
(See NIV)

Jeremiah 36:6 Therefore go thou, and read in the roll, which thou hast written from my mouth, the words of the LORD in the ears of the people in the LORD's house upon the fasting day: and also thou shalt read them in the ears of all Judah that come out of their cities.
(KJV WBS NIV)

Jeremiah 36:9 And it cometh to pass, in the fifth year of Jehoiakim son of Josiah king of Judah, in the ninth month, proclaimed a fast before Jehovah have all the people in Jerusalem, and all the people who are coming in from cities of Judah to Jerusalem;
(See NIV)

Daniel 6:18 Then the king went to his palace, and passed the night fasting; neither were instruments of music brought before him: and his sleep fled from him.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV)

Daniel 9:3 I set my face to the Lord God, to seek by prayer and petitions, with fasting and sackcloth and ashes.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Joel 2:12 "Yet even now," says Yahweh, "turn to me with all your heart, and with fasting, and with weeping, and with mourning."
(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Subtopics

Fasting

Fasting by Paul, at the Time of his Conversion

Fasting for the Chastening of the Soul

Fasting for the Humbling of the Soul

Fasting in Babylon, With Prayer for Divine Deliverance and Guidance

Fasting in his Zeal for Zion

Fasting in Prayer for Himself and his Adversaries

Fasting in Times of Bereavement of Abner's Death

Fasting in Times of Bereavement of David, at the Time of Saul's Death

Fasting in Times of Bereavement of the People of Jabesh-Gilead, for Saul and his Sons

Fasting of Ahab, when Elijah Prophesied the Destruction of Himself and his House