Fasting is a bodily response to life’s sacred moments. It is encouraged in most religions and philosophies. Fasting is defined as abstaining from food and/or drink for a set period of time. During the season of Lent, fasting is a spiritual discipline urged among Christians. Those who follow Islam dedicate a whole month every year to times of fasting. In 2022, Ramadan will be from April 2nd to May 2nd, overlapping the Christian Lenten fast.
The word fasting is interesting in that it does not derive from any Greek, Latin, or Hebrew word. The Gospel of Matthew records, “Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. And after fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. And the tempter came to him.” (Matthew 4:1-3) The Greek word translated “fasting” is nesteuo, which means to hunger, describing someone who has not eaten anything for a time. The Latin word for hunger is ieiunium. The prophet Isaiah used the Hebrew word tsoom (translated as fast) in chapter 58, “You say, ‘Why have we fasted, and you see it not? Why have we humbled ourselves, and you take no knowledge of it?’ The Lord says, ‘Behold, in the day of your fast you seek your own pleasure and oppress all your workers. Fasting like yours this day will not make your voice to be heard on high.” The verb tsoom means to abstain from food for spiritual purposes. So, you can see that the English word fasting is not etymologically derived from any of these words. How did English develop the word fasting in connection with hunger and abstaining from food?
Fasting comes from the Olde English faeston, which means keep or observe. This came from Germanic origins in fastuz, meaning firm. Thus, English uses phrases like, fast asleep, and hold fast, and steadfast. Faeston implied holding firm and secure to a commitment. The term fast, used in Lent, developed from the practice of holding firm in a commitment to abstain from food for a period of time in observing the spiritual preparations for Easter. In the 15th century the word breakfast was used to describe the morning meal breaking the fast that occurred during sleep.
Fasting can be a response to an event. “David and his men mourned and wept and fasted until evening for Saul and for Jonathan his son and for the people of the Lord and for the house of Israel, because they had fallen by the sword.” (2 Samuel 1:12) Fasting at a time of death became an appropriate response during grief. Fasting can also be a reaction to a spiritual moment. When Moses met with God on Mt. Sinai he fasted. “Moses was there with the Lord forty days and forty nights. He neither ate bread nor drank water. And he wrote on the tablets the words of the covenant, the Ten Commandments.” (Exodus 34:28) Fasting can be a way to spiritually prepare for something coming. Jesus fasted 40 days in his preparation to begin the work he was sent into the world to accomplish.
A traditional reading on Ash Wednesday, to begin Lent, comes from the prophet Joel in chapter 2, “Yet even now, declares the Lord, return to me with all your heart, with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning; and rend your hearts and not your garments. Return to the Lord your God.”
Jesus gave some instructions for fasting in the right way. “When you fast, do not look gloomy like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces that their fasting may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, that your fasting may not be seen by others but by your Father who is in secret.” (Matthew 6:16-18) Lenten fasting is not done to gains benefits nor seeking self-congratulations but leads to helping others, such as almsgiving.
This time of year, as the days lengthen and Spring is just around the corner, take thought to fasting. There is much going on in our world right now that should lead us to think of others and act for others. Fasting, in whatever form of abstinence it may take, can move you to focus on the condition of the poor and suffering, and guide you to be more charitable. Hold fast your resolve to do something in response to events. Try fasting.
Columnist John Kreutzwieser loves to research words and writes this weekly Word Wisdom column for Moose Jaw Express/MooseJawToday.com. He has an interest in the usage, origin, and relevance of words for society today. Greek and Latin form the basis of many words, with ancient Hebrew shedding light on word usage.
John would like to know if anyone has a sincere interest in a relevant word that he could possibly research for an upcoming column. If so, please send your requests to wordwisdom2021@gmail.com . Words will be selected according to relevance and research criteria. We cannot confirm that all words will be used.
The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author, and do not necessarily reflect the position of this publication.
