### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew word צוֹם (tsôwm) `{{H6685}}`, derived from the verb צוּם (tsûwm) `{{H6684}}` meaning "to fast," refers primarily to an act of abstaining from food and drink for a specified period. While the literal meaning is a physical cessation of eating, its semantic range in biblical usage extends far beyond mere dietary restriction. Tsôwm invariably carries a profound spiritual connotation, serving as an outward expression of an inward spiritual state or intention. This includes:
* **Mourning and Lamentation:** Expressing deep sorrow, grief, or distress.
* **Repentance and Humiliation:** Acknowledging sin, expressing contrition, and humbling oneself before God.
* **Seeking Divine Intervention:** Pleading with God for help, guidance, or deliverance in times of crisis.
* **Intensified Prayer:** Accompanying fervent prayer to demonstrate earnestness and dedication.
* **Preparation for Encounter:** A spiritual discipline to focus the heart and mind on God.
Thus, tsôwm is not an end in itself, but a means to an end, always directed toward God in a posture of dependence and earnest petition.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term צוֹם (tsôwm) `{{H6685}}` appears in various significant contexts throughout the Old Testament, illustrating its diverse applications:
* **Mourning and Grief:** Following the death of Saul and Jonathan, the men of Jabesh-Gilead observed a seven-day fast as a sign of deep mourning [[1 Samuel 31:13]], a practice echoed by David in [[2 Samuel 1:12]]. Nehemiah also engaged in fasting and prayer upon hearing of Jerusalem's desolate state, signifying lament and distress [[Nehemiah 1:4]].
* **Repentance and Humiliation:** A pivotal use of tsôwm is in acts of national repentance. At Mizpah, the Israelites fasted and confessed their sin before the Lord [[1 Samuel 7:6]]. The entire city of Nineveh, from the king to the common people, proclaimed a fast in response to Jonah's prophecy, demonstrating a profound corporate repentance that averted divine judgment [[Jonah 3:5-7]]. The prophet Joel calls for a solemn assembly and a fast as a means of national repentance in the face of impending judgment [[Joel 2:12-15]].
* **Seeking Divine Intervention and Guidance:** Fasting was often undertaken in times of great crisis or when seeking God's specific guidance. The Israelites fasted before the Lord when seeking direction in their war against Benjamin [[Judges 20:26]]. Ezra proclaimed a fast at the river Ahava, seeking God's protection for the exiles returning to Jerusalem [[Ezra 8:21-23]]. Esther called for a three-day fast among the Jews in Susa before approaching King Ahasuerus on behalf of her people, highlighting a desperate reliance on God for deliverance [[Esther 4:16]].
* **Personal Devotion and Preparation:** While not always explicitly named tsôwm, the concept of abstinence for spiritual focus is evident in figures like Daniel, who engaged in a three-week fast as part of his intense spiritual seeking and preparation for divine revelation [[Daniel 9:3]], [[Daniel 10:3]].
### Related Words & Concepts
The meaning and practice of צוֹם (tsôwm) `{{H6685}}` are enriched by its relationship with several other key Hebrew words and concepts:
* **צוּם (tsûwm) `{{H6684}}`:** This is the verbal root, "to fast," from which tsôwm is derived. The noun and verb are intrinsically linked, describing the act and the state.
* **עָנָה (ʿānâ) `{{H6031}}`:** Meaning "to humble oneself" or "to afflict one's soul." This term is frequently used in conjunction with fasting, particularly concerning the Day of Atonement, where "afflicting your souls" (often understood as fasting) was a divine commandment [[Leviticus 16:29]], [[Leviticus 23:27]]. Fasting is thus seen as a primary means of self-humiliation before God.
* **שַׂק וָאֵפֶר (saq wāʾēfer):** "Sackcloth and ashes." These were common outward symbols that often accompanied fasting, signifying deep mourning, repentance, and humility. The physical discomfort of sackcloth and the defilement of ashes mirrored the internal contrition and self-abasement associated with fasting.
* **תְּפִלָּה (tĕphillâ) `{{H8605}}`:** "Prayer." Fasting in the Old Testament is almost invariably linked with fervent prayer. It is not a magical ritual but an intensified form of seeking God's face through supplication.
* **צָרָה (tsārâ) `{{H6869}}`:** "Distress" or "trouble." Fasting is frequently undertaken in times of national or personal distress, as an appeal for divine deliverance from affliction.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of צוֹם (tsôwm) `{{H6685}}` is multifaceted and profound:
* **Humiliation and Dependence:** Fasting is a powerful act of humbling oneself before God. By denying the body its most basic needs, the individual or community acknowledges their utter dependence on God for sustenance and life, both physical and spiritual. It is a physical manifestation of a contrite and broken spirit, recognizing God's sovereignty and their own creaturely limitations.
* **Earnestness of Supplication:** The act of fasting elevates prayer from a routine practice to an urgent and desperate cry. It demonstrates the sincerity and earnestness of the petitioner, signifying that the matter at hand is of such gravity that it transcends even the need for food. It is a tangible expression of prioritizing God above all else.
* **Repentance and Reconciliation:** Tsôwm is a recurring theme in calls for repentance, both individually and corporately. It is a visible sign of turning away from sin and turning towards God for forgiveness and restoration. The physical discipline mirrors the spiritual discipline required to forsake sin and seek reconciliation with a holy God.
* **Seeking Divine Will and Intervention:** In times of uncertainty, crisis, or impending judgment, tsôwm serves as a means to focus entirely on seeking God's will and intervention. It expresses a deep conviction that only God can provide the necessary wisdom, strength, or deliverance.
* **Spiritual Discipline and Focus:** While not inherently meritorious, fasting is a spiritual discipline that helps to sharpen spiritual focus, cultivate self-control, and deepen one's relationship with God. It allows for a heightened sensitivity to the Spirit and a clearer perception of God's presence and voice.
### Summary
The Hebrew word צוֹם (tsôwm) `{{H6685}}` designates a "fast," or the act of "fasting," which is the deliberate abstinence from food and drink. Far from a mere dietary restriction, tsôwm is consistently presented in the Old Testament as a profound and multifaceted spiritual discipline. Its occurrences are deeply embedded in contexts of mourning, national and individual repentance, and fervent seeking of divine intervention or guidance. It is intimately linked with prayer and the concept of humbling oneself before God (`{{H6031}}`), often accompanied by outward symbols of contrition like sackcloth and ashes. Theologically, tsôwm signifies a powerful expression of humility and dependence on God, an earnestness in prayer, a visible sign of repentance, and a desperate reliance on God's sovereign will and power. It serves as a vital means by which individuals and communities draw near to God, acknowledging their absolute dependence on Him in times of distress, contrition, or spiritual pursuit, ultimately aiming for a deeper and more focused relationship with the Divine.
TRV