a primitive root; to cover over (the mouth), i.e. to fast; [idiom] at all, fast.
Transliteration:tsûwm
Pronunciation:tsoom
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew root צוּם (tsûwm, `{{H6684}}`) is a primitive root primarily meaning "to fast." Its etymological root is often understood as "to cover over (the mouth)," which directly conveys the act of abstaining from food and drink. This foundational meaning highlights a deliberate and often complete cessation of normal eating, implying a state of self-denial. While the primary sense is literal fasting, the underlying concept of "covering" or "stopping" can carry an idiomatic sense of cessation or absolute denial, though its usage in the Hebrew Bible overwhelmingly points to the act of fasting from food. The semantic range thus centers on this physical act, but the *purpose* and *context* of such an act are crucial for understanding its full biblical meaning.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The verb צוּם (tsûwm, `{{H6684}}`) appears numerous times in the Old Testament, revealing a diverse range of contexts and motivations for fasting:
1. **Prescribed National Fast:** The most prominent and divinely commanded fast was on the Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur), where the people were to "afflict their souls" ([[Leviticus 16:29]], [[Leviticus 23:27]], [[Numbers 29:7]]). This was a communal, annual fast for national expiation and purification, emphasizing humility and repentance before God.
2. **Mourning and Lament:** Fasting frequently accompanied periods of intense grief or national calamity. Following the defeat of the Israelites at Gibeah, they "fasted that day until evening" while seeking God's will ([[Judges 20:26]]). David fasted and wept upon hearing of Saul's death ([[2 Samuel 1:12]]) and for his gravely ill son ([[2 Samuel 12:16-23]]). The elders of Jabesh-Gilead fasted for seven days after burying Saul ([[1 Samuel 31:13]]).
3. **Repentance and Humiliation:** Fasting served as a tangible expression of contrition and humility before God, often in response to sin or impending judgment. The Israelites at Mizpah "fasted on that day, and said there, 'We have sinned against the Lord'" ([[1 Samuel 7:6]]). Nehemiah fasted and prayed, confessing the sins of his people ([[Nehemiah 1:4]], [[Nehemiah 9:1]]). Joel called for a solemn assembly with fasting as a sign of national repentance ([[Joel 1:14]], [[Joel 2:12]]).
4. **Seeking Divine Guidance and Intervention:** Before embarking on perilous journeys or facing significant challenges, individuals and groups would fast to seek God's protection and direction. Ezra proclaimed a fast at the river Ahava "that we might humble ourselves before our God, to seek from Him a safe journey" ([[Ezra 8:21]], [[Ezra 8:23]]). Esther called for a three-day fast for herself and the Jews before approaching the king ([[Esther 4:16]]). Daniel fasted and prayed for understanding and insight ([[Daniel 9:3]], [[Daniel 10:3]]).
5. **Prophetic Contexts:** Jeremiah instructed Baruch to read the scroll of God's judgment during a proclaimed fast ([[Jeremiah 36:6]], [[Jeremiah 36:9]]). Zechariah speaks of the fasts of the fourth, fifth, seventh, and tenth months, which were observed in remembrance of national calamities, but which God promised to turn into joy and gladness in the messianic age ([[Zechariah 7:3]], [[Zechariah 7:5]], [[Zechariah 8:19]]).
6. **False Fasting:** The prophets, particularly Isaiah, condemned fasting that was merely an outward show, devoid of true repentance, justice, and mercy ([[Isaiah 58:3-7]]). Jezebel's manipulation of a fast to frame Naboth highlights the potential for this spiritual discipline to be perverted for wicked ends ([[1 Kings 21:9]], [[1 Kings 21:12]]).
In all these contexts, צוּם is rarely an end in itself but a means to an end: an outward, physical expression of an inward spiritual posture, whether it be sorrow, humility, earnest seeking, or repentance.
### Related Words & Concepts
The concept of צוּם (tsûwm, `{{H6684}}`) is frequently intertwined with other Hebrew terms and theological concepts:
* **צוֹם (tsom, `{{H6685}}`):** This is the masculine noun derived directly from the root צוּם, meaning "a fast" or "fasting." It refers to the act or period of abstention itself.
* **עָנָה (anah, `{{H6031}}`):** Meaning "to afflict" or "to humble," this verb is most notably associated with the Day of Atonement, where the command is to "afflict your souls" (תְּעַנּוּ אֶת־נַפְשֹׁתֵיכֶם). This connection underscores that fasting is not merely going without food, but a deeper act of self-denial and spiritual humbling before God.
* **בְּכִי (bekhi, `{{H1065}}`):** "Weeping" or "lamentation." Fasting is often accompanied by weeping, demonstrating profound sorrow or distress ([[Joel 2:12]]).
* **שַׂק וָאֵפֶר (saq wa'efer):** "Sackcloth and ashes." These were common symbols of mourning, repentance, and humiliation, often adopted during periods of fasting ([[Nehemiah 9:1]], [[Daniel 9:3]]).
* **Prayer (תְּפִלָּה, tefillah, `{{H8605}}`):** Fasting is almost invariably linked with fervent prayer, serving to intensify spiritual focus and earnestness in seeking God's face ([[Nehemiah 1:4]], [[Daniel 9:3]], [[Ezra 8:23]]).
* **Repentance (שׁוּב, shuv, `{{H7725}}`):** The act of turning back to God from sin. Fasting often accompanies and signifies a genuine desire for repentance ([[1 Samuel 7:6]], [[Joel 2:12]]).
* **Humility (עָנָה, anah, `{{H6031}}`):** Fasting is a physical manifestation of humility, acknowledging dependence on God and casting oneself upon His mercy.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of צוּם (tsûwm, `{{H6684}}`) in the Old Testament is profound and multifaceted:
1. **Expression of Absolute Dependence:** Fasting is a tangible declaration that one's ultimate sustenance and hope come from God, not from physical food or human strength. It shifts focus from earthly provisions to divine provision and sovereignty.
2. **Deepening Humility and Contrition:** By denying the body, the soul is humbled, creating a fertile ground for repentance and a recognition of one's unworthiness before a holy God. It is a powerful act of self-abasement in the face of divine majesty and judgment.
3. **Intensification of Prayer and Spiritual Focus:** The physical deprivation often leads to heightened spiritual sensitivity and a more intense, undistracted focus on God. It is a discipline that can sharpen spiritual perception and deepen communion with the Divine.
4. **Corporate Solidarity and National Atonement:** On the Day of Atonement, צוּם was a communal act, binding the nation together in shared humility and seeking God's mercy for corporate sin. It underscored the concept of collective responsibility and atonement.
5. **Critique of Ritualism:** The prophets, particularly Isaiah ([[Isaiah 58:3-7]]), offer a powerful theological critique of fasting that is merely ritualistic and devoid of genuine righteousness. True fasting, they declare, must be accompanied by acts of justice, mercy, and compassion towards others. It is not about afflicting the body for its own sake, but about a transformed heart that seeks to do God's will and bring about His kingdom values in society. This highlights that God desires obedience and a righteous life more than mere outward religious observance.
6. **Preparation for Divine Encounter:** While not always explicit, the practice of fasting can prepare individuals for significant spiritual encounters or divine revelations, by purifying the mind and body and increasing spiritual receptivity.
### Summary
The Hebrew root צוּם (tsûwm, `{{H6684}}`) signifies "to fast," stemming from the notion of "covering over the mouth" in self-denial. It is a fundamental spiritual discipline in the Old Testament, employed for a variety of purposes: as a divinely prescribed annual observance on the Day of Atonement ([[Leviticus 16:29]]), as a spontaneous expression of profound mourning and lament ([[2 Samuel 1:12]]), as a tangible sign of repentance and humility before God ([[1 Samuel 7:6]], [[Joel 2:12]]), and as a means of earnestly seeking divine guidance and intervention in times of crisis or significant decision ([[Ezra 8:21]], [[Esther 4:16]], [[Daniel 9:3]]).
Theologically, צוּם underscores absolute dependence on God, deepens humility and contrition, and intensifies prayer and spiritual focus. It is often linked with other acts of self-abasement like wearing sackcloth and ashes, and is almost invariably accompanied by fervent prayer. Crucially, the prophets articulate that true צוּם extends beyond mere physical abstention; it demands a transformed heart that manifests in justice, mercy, and genuine obedience to God's commands, lest it become a hollow, hypocritical ritual ([[Isaiah 58:3-7]]). Thus, צוּם is understood as a vital spiritual discipline, intended to align the individual and community more closely with the will and heart of God.
TRV