8589. taanith

Lexicon

taanith: Fast, Fasting

Original Word: תַּעֲנִית
Part of Speech: Noun Feminine
Transliteration: ta`aniyth
Pronunciation: tah-ah-NEETH
Phonetic Spelling: (tah-an-eeth')
Definition: Fast, Fasting
Meaning: affliction, fasting

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance

heaviness

From anah; affliction (of self), i.e. Fasting -- heaviness.

see HEBREW anah

NAS Exhaustive Concordance

Word Origin
from anah
Definition
humiliation
NASB Translation
humiliation (1).

Brown-Driver-Briggs

[תַּעֲנִית] noun feminine humiliation, by fasting (compare √

Pi`el Hithpa`el; Late Hebrew ׳ת = fasting), suffix תַּעֲנִיתִי Ezekiel 9:5.

Topical Lexicon

Word Origin: Derived from the root עָנָה (anah), which means "to afflict" or "to humble oneself."

Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: The concept of fasting in the Hebrew Bible corresponds to several Greek terms in the New Testament, including νηστεία (nēsteia, Strong's Greek 3521), which also denotes fasting or abstinence from food for religious purposes. This Greek term is used in contexts such as Jesus' teachings on fasting (Matthew 6:16-18, BSB) and the early church's practice of fasting and prayer (Acts 13:2-3, BSB).

Usage: The word תַּעֲנִית is used in the context of fasting, particularly as an expression of penitence, mourning, or seeking divine favor. It is associated with the practice of abstaining from food and sometimes other physical comforts as a means of spiritual discipline.

Context: The concept of תַּעֲנִית (ta'anit) is deeply rooted in the Hebrew tradition of fasting as a form of self-affliction and humility before God. This practice is often observed during times of national crisis, personal repentance, or spiritual seeking. Fasting is seen as a way to draw closer to God, to express sorrow for sin, or to seek divine intervention in dire circumstances.

In the Hebrew Bible, fasting is frequently mentioned in conjunction with prayer and repentance. For example, in the book of Joel, the prophet calls for a sacred fast as a response to a locust plague, urging the people to "return to Me with all your heart, with fasting, weeping, and mourning" (Joel 2:12, BSB). Similarly, in the book of Esther, Queen Esther calls for a fast among the Jews as they face the threat of annihilation (Esther 4:16, BSB).

Fasting is also associated with the Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur), a solemn day of repentance and reflection, where the Israelites are commanded to "afflict their souls" (Leviticus 16:29-31, BSB). This affliction is understood to include fasting as a means of humbling oneself before God.

Throughout the biblical narrative, fasting serves as a powerful symbol of dependence on God, a means of seeking His guidance, and a demonstration of sincere repentance. It is a practice that underscores the importance of spiritual over physical sustenance and highlights the believer's commitment to aligning with God's will.

Forms and Transliterations

מִתַּֽעֲנִיתִ֔י מתעניתי mit·ta·‘ă·nî·ṯî mitta‘ănîṯî mittaaniTi

Englishman's Concordance

Ezra 9:5
HEB: הָעֶ֗רֶב קַ֚מְתִּי מִתַּֽעֲנִיתִ֔י וּבְקָרְעִ֥י בִגְדִ֖י
NAS: I arose from my humiliation, even with my garment
KJV: I arose up from my heaviness; and having rent
INT: the evening arose my humiliation torn my garment

1 Occurrence

Strong's Hebrew 8589
1 Occurrence

mit·ta·‘ă·nî·ṯî — 1 Occ.