A selection of Biblical accounts of fasting.
Fasting throughout scripture
ExodusLink to this section
- WHO: Moses.
- WHERE: Exodus 34:28 / Exodus 24:18
- WHY: As to why exactly, scripture doesn’t say. What we do know is that during Moses’ time in the mountain, he was FULLY immersed in God’s Presence. When he is in the presence of God on the mountain, he needs no food or drink, because God himself sustains him. Perhaps there isn’t a why, perhaps God displaying Himself as the real source of life, in whose presence even earthly food and water might be unnecessary for a person, if He so chooses.
LeviticusLink to this section
- WHO: Israel.
- WHERE: Leviticus 16:29 – 31 / Leviticus 23:26 – 32
- WHY: The Day of Atonement,for the sons of Israel for all their sins once every year.
NumbersLink to this section
- WHO: Israel.
- WHERE: Numbers 29:7
- WHY: The Day of Atonement,for the sons of Israel for all their sins once every year.
DeuteronomyLink to this section
- WHO: Israel.
- WHERE: Deuteronomy 9:15 – 18
- WHY: Moses fasted forty days because of the sin of Israel.
JudgesLink to this section
- WHO: Israel.
- WHERE: Judges 20:26
- WHY: Israel fasted at Bethel in the war against the Benjamites.
1 SamuelLink to this section
- WHO: Israel.
- WHERE: 1 Samuel 7:6
- WHY:Israel was in Mizpah, they fasted as Samuel interceded for them during the Philistine War.
- WHO: Israel.
- WHERE: 1 Samuel 31:13
- WHY: The men of Jabesh-gilead fasted seven days for Saul
2 SamuelLink to this section
- WHO: David.
- WHERE: 2 Samuel 1:12
- WHY: David and the people fasted for Saul and Jonathan
- WHO: David.
- WHERE: 2 Samuel 3:35
- WHY:David refuses to eat food until evening when he heard of the death of Abner.
- WHO: David.
- WHERE: 2 Samuel 12:16 – 23
- WHY: David fasted for his son was ill
1 KingsLink to this section
- WHO: Elijah.
- WHERE: 1 Kings 19:8
- WHY: Elijah goes forty days on the strength of the food provided to him by an angel.
- WHO: Ahab.
- WHERE: 1 Kings 21:27 – 29
- WHY: Ahab fasted to be forgiven
2 ChroniclesLink to this section
- WHO: Jehoshaphat
- WHERE:2 Chronicles 20:3
- WHY: Jehoshaphat fasted when threatened by Edom
EzraLink to this section
- WHO: Ezra & Company.
- WHERE: Ezra 8:21
- WHY: Ezra led a fast when seeking the favor of God toward his return from exile (a journey fraught with danger)
- WHO: Ezra.
- WHERE:Ezra 10:6
- WHY: Ezra eats and drinks nothing because of his mourning over the unfaithfulness of the exiles.
NehemiahLink to this section
- WHO: Nehemiah
- WHERE: Nehemiah 1:4
- WHY: Nehemiah fasted when he heard of the state of Jerusalem
- WHO: Sons of Israel.
- WHERE: Nehemiah 9:1 – 3
- WHY: They sought out God’s Forgiveness
EstherLink to this section
- WHO: Jews
- WHERE:Esther 4:3
- WHY: The Jews fasted when they heard that Haman had obtained the king’s decree against them
- WHO: Esther
- WHERE: Esther 4:16
- WHY: Esther and Mordecai fasted before she went before the king
- WHO: Esther
- WHERE: Esther 9:31
- WHY: Purim is established for the Jews with instructions for fasting and lamentations.
PsalmsLink to this section
- WHO: David
- WHERE: Psalm 35:13
- WHY:David defends his honor by saying that he fasted and prayed whenhis enemies were sick.
JeremiahLink to this section
- WHO: People of Judah
- WHERE: Jeremiah 36:6 – 9
- WHY: To listen to Baruch read Jeremiah’s prophecy.
EzekielLink to this section
- WHO: Zeke Himself
- WHERE: Ezekiel 24:17 – 18
- WHY: For the death of his wife.
DanielLink to this section
- WHO: Daniel
- WHERE: Daniel 9:3
- WHY: Prayer life.
- WHO: Daniel
- WHERE: Daniel 10:2 – 3
- WHY: Mourning
JoelLink to this section
- WHO: Israel
- WHERE: Joel 1:14
- WHY:Joel calls for a nation-wide fast because of famine that is destroying the land.
- WHO:Israel
- WHERE:Joel 2:12 – 15
- WHY:YHWH calls the people to return to Him with fasting, rending their hearts, not garments; Joel again calls for a fast.
JonahLink to this section
- WHO: The City of Nineveh
- WHERE: Jonah 3:5
- WHY: repenting at the preaching of Jonah
MatthewLink to this section
- WHO: Jesus
- WHERE: Matthew 4:2
- WHY: Jesus fasts for forty days in the wilderness
LukeLink to this section
- WHO: Anna
- WHERE: Luke 2:37
- WHY: Anna serves in the temple night and day with fastings and prayers.
ActsLink to this section
- WHO: Saul
- WHERE: Acts 9:9
- WHY: Saul fasted from food and water for three days after the Damascus Road experience.
- WHO: People
- WHERE: Acts 13:2 – 3
- WHY: Prophets and teachers in Antioch were ministering to the Lord and fasting before and after the Holy Spirit set apart Saul and Barnabas.
1 CorinthiansLink to this section
- WHO: Saul
- WHERE: 1 Corinthians 7:5
- WHY: Paul tells couples not to deprive one another sexually, except for brief periods devoted to prayer and fasting.