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; Daniel 10:2,3 ). Moses fasted forty days (Exodus 24:18; 34:28 ), and so also did Elijah (1 Kings 19:8 ). Our Lord fasted forty days in the wilderness (Matthew 4:2 ).
In the lapse of time the practice of fasting was lamentably abused (Isaiah 58:4; Jeremiah 14:12; Zechariah 7:5 ). Our Lord rebuked the Pharisees for their hypocritical pretences in fasting (Matthew 6:16 ). He himself appointed no fast. The early Christians, however, observed the ordinary fasts according to the law of their fathers (Acts 13:3; 14:23; 2 co 6:5 ).
Copyright StatementThese dictionary topics are from M.G. Easton M.A., D.D., Illustrated Bible Dictionary, Third Edition, published by Thomas Nelson, 1897. Public Domain.
Bibliography InformationEaston, Matthew George. Entry for 'Fast'. Easton's Bible Dictionary. https://www.studylight.org/dictionaries/eng/ebd/f/fast.html. 1897.
Easton's Bible Dictionary was written by Matthew George Easton, who lived from 1823-1894. This Scottish Presbyterian's other significant literary achievements were his English translations of two of Franz Delitzsch's commentaries. The nearly 4,000 entries cover material from Aaron to Zuzims!Wikipedia
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