Dictionary of Bible Themes Scripture frequently refers to individuals fasting and describes the different kinds of fast which may be undertaken. Ezra 10:6Kinds of fasting See also Abstaining from food and drink Daniel 9:3Acts 23:12 1 Samuel 1:7 See also Abstaining from food only Daniel 6:18Leviticus 23:32 The duration of fasting Judges 20:26One day: the normal fast period 2 Samuel 1:12Esther 4:16 Acts 9:9 Three days 1 Samuel 31:13Seven days 2 Samuel 12:16-20pp 1Ch 10:12 Exodus 34:28Forty days 1 Kings 19:8These 40-day fasts are all in unique circumstances and are not prescribed: Matthew 4:2pp Lk 4:2 Leviticus 16:29-31Regular observances of fasting Those prescribed by the Law See also Leviticus 23:26-32NIV footnote at verse 29. Numbers 29:7Acts 27:9 fn Zechariah 8:19 See also Those observed in Jewish tradition Esther 9:30-31Zechariah 7:2-5 Luke 18:11-12 Those observed by the Pharisees 2 Chronicles 20:3Involuntary fasts See also Those imposed by decree 1 Samuel 14:241 Kings 13:8-9,16 1 Kings 21:9 A special instance of an individual instructed by God to fast: Jeremiah 36:9Acts 27:33 2 Corinthians 6:5; 11:27 Those imposed by circumstances Nehemiah 1:4Voluntary fasts See also Luke 2:37See also 2575 Jesus Christ, temptation of4296 wells 4440 fig-tree 5106 Noah 5775 abuse 7550 Pharisees 8475 self-denial |
    |