fast, fasting

Definition

The term to “fast” means to stop eating food for a period of time, such as for a day or more. Sometimes it also includes not drinking.

• Fasting can help people to focus on God and pray without being distracted by preparing food and eating.
• Jesus condemned the Jewish religious leaders for fasting for the wrong reasons. They fasted so that others would think they were righteous.
• Sometimes people fast because they are very sad or grieved about something.
• The verb to “fast” can also be translated as to “refrain from eating” or to “not eat.”
• The noun “fast” could be translated as “time of not eating” or “time of abstaining from food.”

(See also: Jewish leaders)

Bible References

• 1 Kings 21:8-10
• 2 Chronicles 20:3
• Acts 13:1-3
• Jonah 3:4-5
• Luke 5:34
• Mark 2:19
• Matthew 6:18
• Matthew 9:15

Examples from the Bible stories

• __25:1 Immediately after Jesus was baptized, the Holy Spirit led him out into the wilderness, where he fasted__ for forty days and forty nights.
• __34:8 “‘For example, I fast__ two times every week and I give you ten percent of all the money and goods that I receive.’”
• __46:10 One day, while the Christians at Antioch were fasting__ and praying, the Holy Spirit said to them, “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul to do the work I have called them to do.”

Word Data

• Strong’s: H2908, H5144, H6684, H6685, G35210, G35220