Hastings' Dictionary of the Bible (1898)
, where the expression "Ye shall afflict your souls" probably refers to fasting. During and after the Babylonian captivity four special fast-days were observed. Zech 7:5. ; the return of the spies. ; and the reception by Ezekiel and others in Babylon of the intelligence of the destruction of Jerusalem. Public fasts were proclaimed at special seasons by Nehemiah, Neh 9:1, Jehoshaphat, 2 Chr 20:3, the Jews at Shushan, Esth 4:16, and others.
, Luke 2:37, etc. Fasts indicate humility and a sense of dependence on the Almighty, and were observed on solemn occasions, such as the death of a prominent personage (Saul, 1 Sam 31:13; 2 Sam 1:12), an impending calamity, Jon 3:5; Esth 4:3, before a war, 2 Chr 20:3; Jud 20:26, and before a journey. Ezr 8:21. The Jewish fasts were kept with great strictness, and generally from evening to evening.
The body was clothed with sackcloth, ashes were sprinkled on the head, the hands were left unwashed, the head was unanointed, and the air was filled with the voice of supplication and the sobs of grief and penitence. Isa 22:12; Joel 2:15-17. At the time of our Lord fasting was a very prominent religious observance and the occasion of much hypocrisy and parade. Matt 6:16. The fast spoken of in Acts 27:9 was the day of atonement. The weekly fasts were upon the second and fifth days of the week.
Fasts were not observed upon the Sabbath, the new moons, the great festivals, or the feasts of Purim and dedication. John the Baptist and his disciples fasted, but we have no account that our Lord observed periodic fasts, although that he fasted is proved by Matt 4:2; cf. Matt 9:14. T. recommends fasting as a means of Christian growth. T. leaves the times of fasting to the full choice and appointment of the individual. In Matt 9:15 our Saviour teaches that fasting follows and springs from affliction, rather as a consequence than a cause, and then may be a means of grace.