Lexical Summary nésteuó: To fast Original Word: νηστεύω Strong's Exhaustive Concordance to fast. From nestis; to abstain from food (religiously) -- fast. see GREEK nestis NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom néstis Definition to fast NASB Translation fast (14), fasted (2), fasting (4). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 3522: νηστεύωνηστεύω; future νηστεύσω; 1 aorist (infinitive νηστεῦσαι (Luke 5:34 T WH Tr text)), participle νηστεύσας; (from νῆστις, which see); to fast (Vulg. and ecclesiastical writingsjejano), i. e. to abstain as a religious exercise from food and drink: either entirely, if the fast lasted but a single day, Matthew 6:16-18; Matthew 9:14; Mark 2:18-20; Luke 5:33,( Topical Lexicon Overview Strong’s Greek 3522 (νηστεύω) describes the intentional, temporary abstinence from food—sometimes drink—for distinctly spiritual ends. The verb occurs twenty times in the Greek New Testament, clustering around three settings: the teaching and actions of Jesus, the attitudes of contemporary Jewish groups, and the corporate life of the emerging church. These contexts collectively portray fasting as a God–centered discipline of humility, repentance, petition, and heightened receptivity to divine direction. Old Testament Background Although the verb νηστεύω itself does not appear in the Septuagint, the concept is deeply rooted in Israel’s Scriptures. The commanded “affliction of the soul” on the Day of Atonement (Leviticus 16:29-31) became the archetype of national fasting. Voluntary fasts marked crises (Joel 2:12-15), mourning (2 Samuel 1:12), supplication (Ezra 8:21-23), and intercession (Esther 4:16). Prophets warned against hollow formalism, insisting that genuine fasting express contrition and justice (Isaiah 58:3-7; Zechariah 7:5-10). This background shaped both first-century Jewish practice and Jesus’ corrective teaching. Fasting in the Ministry of Jesus 1. Personal example (Matthew 4:2). Entering public ministry, “After fasting forty days and forty nights, He was hungry.” The solitary fast in the wilderness recalls Moses and Elijah, aligning Jesus with redemptive history and demonstrating Spirit-empowered dependence. Instruction Concerning Motive and Manner • Fasting is assumed, not optional (“when you fast,” not “if”). Fasting in the Life of the Early Church Acts portrays fasting as integral to congregational worship and decision-making. Theological Significance 1. Humiliation before God—acknowledging creaturely need. Practical and Pastoral Applications • Individual fasts may be partial (Daniel 10:3) or absolute for brief periods; they should include increased prayer and Scripture meditation. Historical Development in Christian Tradition Early writings like the Didache (chap. 8) mention twice-weekly fasts (Wednesday and Friday). By the second century, pre-Paschal fasts evolved into Lent, emphasizing preparation for Resurrection celebration. Reformers critiqued legalism yet retained voluntary fasting. Evangelical awakenings (for example, eighteenth-century days of prayer and fasting) renewed the discipline as a catalyst for revival. Cautions and Misuses • Hypocrisy—seeking human admiration (Matthew 6:16). Summary Strong’s 3522 portrays fasting as a grace-filled practice woven through redemptive history, authenticated by Jesus, and embraced by the early church. Properly engaged, it humbles the believer, sharpens prayer, and expresses longing for the consummation of Christ’s kingdom. Forms and Transliterations ενήστευες ενηστεύσα ενηστεύσαμεν ενήστευσαν ενηστεύσατο ενήστευσε νενηστεύκατέ νηστευειν νηστεύειν νηστεύετε νηστευητε νηστεύητε νηστευομεν νηστεύομεν νηστευοντες νηστεύοντες νηστευοντων νηστευόντων νηστεύουσι νηστευουσιν νηστεύουσιν νηστευσαι νηστεῦσαι νηστευσαντες νηστεύσαντες νηστευσας νηστεύσας νηστευσασών νηστεύσατε νηστεύσητε νηστευσουσιν νηστεύσουσιν νηστεύσωσιν νηστευω νηστεύω νηστευων νηστεύων nesteuein nesteúein nēsteuein nēsteúein nesteuete nesteúete nēsteuēte nēsteúēte nesteuo nesteúo nēsteuō nēsteúō nesteuomen nesteúomen nēsteuomen nēsteúomen nesteuon nesteúon nēsteuōn nēsteúōn nesteuontes nesteúontes nēsteuontes nēsteúontes nesteuonton nesteuónton nēsteuontōn nēsteuóntōn nesteuousin nesteúousin nēsteuousin nēsteúousin nesteusai nesteûsai nēsteusai nēsteûsai nesteusantes nesteúsantes nēsteusantes nēsteúsantes nesteusas nesteúsas nēsteusas nēsteúsas nesteusousin nesteúsousin nēsteusousin nēsteúsousinLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Matthew 4:2 V-APA-NMSGRK: καὶ νηστεύσας ἡμέρας τεσσεράκοντα NAS: And after He had fasted forty days KJV: And when he had fasted forty days INT: And having fasted days forty Matthew 6:16 V-PSA-2P Matthew 6:16 V-PPA-NMP Matthew 6:17 V-PPA-NMS Matthew 6:18 V-PPA-NMS Matthew 9:14 V-PIA-1P Matthew 9:14 V-PIA-3P Matthew 9:15 V-FIA-3P Mark 2:18 V-PPA-NMP Mark 2:18 V-PIA-3P Mark 2:18 V-PIA-3P Mark 2:19 V-PNA Mark 2:19 V-PNA Mark 2:20 V-FIA-3P Luke 5:33 V-PIA-3P Luke 5:34 V-ANA Luke 5:35 V-FIA-3P Luke 18:12 V-PIA-1S Acts 13:2 V-PPA-GMP Acts 13:3 V-APA-NMP Strong's Greek 3522 |
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