CategoryTheological Term / Spiritual Discipline
Modern Equivalentabstaining from food as an act of spiritual devotion.
KJV Word TypeNoun / Gerund
DefinitionThe voluntary abstaining from food — and sometimes drink — as an act of spiritual discipline, mourning, repentance, or seeking God's guidance. In the KJV both private and corporate fasting are described. Christ assumed his disciples would fast and gave instruction on how to do so humbly.
Key Verses"Moreover when ye fast, be not, as the hypocrites, of a sad countenance." (Matthew 6:16); "Is not this the fast that I have chosen? to loose the bands of wickedness." (Isaiah 58:6)