Original Word: צוּם
Part of Speech: Verb
Transliteration: tsuwm
Pronunciation: tsoom
Phonetic Spelling: (tsoom)
KJV: X at all, fast
NASB: fasted, fast, actually, fasting
Word Origin: [a primitive root]

1. to cover over (the mouth), i.e. to fast

fast

A primitive root; to cover over (the mouth), i.e. To fast -- X at all, fast.

Word Origin
a prim. root
Definition
to abstain from food, fast
NASB Translation
actually (1), fast (6), fasted (12), fasted* (1), fasting (1).

[צוּם] verb abstain from food, fast (Late Hebrew id.; Arabic () , Ethiopic Aramaic צוּם, ); —

Qal Perfect2masculine singular צַמְתָּ 2 Samuel 12:21; 2masculine plural צַמְתֶּם Zechariah 7:5, suffix צַמְתֻּנִי Zechariah 7:5; Imperfect3masculine singular וַיָּ֫צָם 2 Samuel 12:16, וַיָּצוֺ֑ם 1 Kings 21:27; 1singular אָצוּםEsther 4:16, etc.; Imperative masculine plural צוּמוּ Esther 4:16; Infinitive absolute צוֺם Zechariah 7:5; Participle צָם 2 Samuel 12:23; Nehemiah 1:4; — fast, in mourning the dead 1 Samuel 31:13 = 1 Chronicles 10:12; 2 Samuel 1:12; in worship (contrition, intercession, etc.) Jon 20:26; 1 Samuel 7:6; 2 Samuel 12:16 (with accusative of congnate meaning with verb צוֺם; "" בִּקֵּשׁ), 2 Samuel 12:23 and (+בָּכָה), 2 Samuel 12:21; 2 Samuel 12:22 (q. v. for explanation), Jeremiah 14:12; Zechariah 7:5 (+סְפוֺד), הֲצוֺם צַמְתֻּנִי Zechariah 7:5 (Ges^{§ 117x}) was it at all unto me [׳י] that ye fasted ? וָאֱהִי צָם Nehemiah 1:4 (periphrase conjectural; +מִתְמַּלֵּל), compare Ezra 8:23 (+בִּמֵּשׁ), Esther 4:16 (with עַל person for whom), Esther 4:16, Isaiah 58:3 ("" עִנִּינוּ נַפְשֵׁנוּ), Isaiah 58:4 (with ל of thing), Isaiah 58:4; once in disappointment and vexation 1 Kings 21:27.

Definition and Essence of Biblical Fasting

A deliberate abstinence from food (and occasionally drink) undertaken to humble oneself before God, express repentance, intensify prayer, grieve over sin or tragedy, or seek divine intervention. The verb appears twenty-one times, always portraying fasting as a God-ward act that engages the whole person—body, soul, and spirit.

Occurrences and Contexts in the Old Testament

• National crisis: Judges 20:26; 1 Samuel 7:6; Ezra 8:23
• Personal mourning: 1 Samuel 31:13; 2 Samuel 1:12; 2 Samuel 12:16-23; 1 Chronicles 10:12
• Repentance before judgment: 1 Kings 21:27
• Intercession and deliverance: Esther 4:16 (twice)
• Prophetic correction of misuse: Isaiah 58:3-4 (twice); Jeremiah 14:12; Zechariah 7:5 (three times)
• Burden for Jerusalem: Nehemiah 1:4

Fasting as Corporate Humbling and Seeking the LORD

In seasons of collective peril Israel gathered to fast, confess, and pray. “They fasted that day until evening and presented burnt offerings and peace offerings before the LORD” (Judges 20:26). At Mizpah the nation admitted, “We have sinned against the LORD” while fasting (1 Samuel 7:6). Ezra later continued the pattern: “So we fasted and petitioned our God about this, and He granted our request” (Ezra 8:23). These scenes reveal fasting as a tangible sign of dependence on God’s mercy and guidance.

Fasting in Mourning and Grief

Fasting was the instinctive response to bereavement. David and his men “mourned and wept and fasted until evening for Saul and his son Jonathan” (2 Samuel 1:12). When his own child lay dying, David “pleaded with God for the child. He fasted and went in and spent the night lying in sackcloth on the ground” (2 Samuel 12:16). Seven-day fasts marked the burial of Saul in both 1 Samuel 31:13 and 1 Chronicles 10:12, underscoring the depth of sorrow.

Fasting as Repentance Before Impending Judgment

King Ahab’s notorious reign is interrupted by one sincere fast: “He tore his clothes, put sackcloth on his body, and fasted” (1 Kings 21:27). Though his overall life remained corrupt, this moment illustrates how fasting could avert or delay judgment when accompanied by genuine humility (see 1 Kings 21:28-29).

Intercessory Fasting for Deliverance

Esther commanded, “Fast for me; do not eat or drink for three days” (Esther 4:16). The Jews united in abstinence and prayer, demonstrating that fasting can play a strategic role in spiritual warfare and divine rescue.

Prophetic Correction of Empty Fasting

Isaiah exposed fasts marred by exploitation and strife: “You fast with contention and strife… You cannot fast as you do today and expect your voice to be heard on high” (Isaiah 58:4). Jeremiah declared God’s refusal to honor superficial fasts (Jeremiah 14:12). Zechariah pressed the returned exiles to examine motive: “Was it really for Me that you fasted?” (Zechariah 7:5). True fasting must be accompanied by justice, mercy, and obedience.

Post-Exilic Reflection and Reform

Seventy years of ritual fasts commemorated Jerusalem’s fall, yet Zechariah redirected the community from mere ritual to heartfelt devotion. These passages laid the groundwork for turning mourning fasts into future feasts of joy (Zechariah 8:19), anticipating the fuller redemption in Messiah.

Theological and Ministry Significance

1. Dependence: Fasting declares that “man shall not live by bread alone” but by God’s provision and word.
2. Humility: By denying legitimate physical need, the worshipper visibly humbles himself under God’s mighty hand.
3. Solidarity: Corporate fasts unite believers in repentance and intercession, forging communal bonds around shared spiritual priority.
4. Expectation: Scripture records divine answers following sincere fasts, encouraging believers to link fasting with fervent prayer for guidance, breakthrough, or revival.
5. Integrity: Prophetic warnings insist that fasting be coupled with righteousness and compassion; otherwise it deteriorates into empty ritual.

Practical Application for Believers

• Schedule seasons of fasting during major decisions or crises, modeling Ezra 8:23.
• Combine fasting with confession and Scripture meditation to renew contrite hearts.
• Integrate acts of justice and generosity, fulfilling the ethical dimension emphasized in Isaiah 58.
• Encourage congregational fasts for national repentance, missionary advance, or spiritual awakening.
• Guard against performance-based fasting; seek the pleasure of God rather than human recognition (cf. Matthew 6:16-18).

Grounded in the Old Testament testimony, fasting remains a God-ordained means of humbling oneself, engaging compassion for the needy, and pursuing the Lord’s gracious intervention.

אָצ֣וּם אצום הֲצ֥וֹם הצום וְצ֣וּמוּ וַיָּ֤צָם וַיָּצ֑וֹם וַיָּצ֖וּמוּ וַיָּצ֙וּמוּ֙ וַיָּצ֥וּמוּ וַיָּצֻ֖מוּ וַנָּצ֛וּמָה ויצום ויצומו ויצם ויצמו ונצומה וצומו יָצֻ֗מוּ יצמו צַ֖מְתִּי צַ֣מְתָּ צַּ֙מְנוּ֙ צַמְתֶּ֨ם צַמְתֻּ֖נִי צָ֔ם צָם֙ צם צמנו צמת צמתי צמתם צמתני תָּצ֔וּמוּ תָצ֣וּמוּ תצומו ’ā·ṣūm ’āṣūm aTzum hă·ṣō·wm hăṣōwm haTzom ṣām ṣam·nū ṣam·tā ṣam·tem ṣam·tî ṣam·tu·nî ṣamnū ṣamtā ṣamtem ṣamtî ṣamtunî tā·ṣū·mū ṯā·ṣū·mū tāṣūmū ṯāṣūmū taTzumu Tzam tzamnu Tzamta tzamTem Tzamti tzamTuni vaiYatzom vaiyaTzumu vannaTzumah veTzumu wan·nā·ṣū·māh wannāṣūmāh way·yā·ṣām way·yā·ṣō·wm way·yā·ṣu·mū way·yā·ṣū·mū wayyāṣām wayyāṣōwm wayyāṣumū wayyāṣūmū wə·ṣū·mū wəṣūmū yā·ṣu·mū yāṣumū yaTzumuInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts