3 Types of Fasting in the Bible

Want to know three types of fasting in the Bible that you can do instead of intermittent fasting? There are a few biblical fasting references to help you. Let’s explore three types of fasting in the bible to assist you in your fasting journey.

Have you ever heard someone say they were fasting, only to see them eat a few hours later? I bet it left you feeling confused, right? Nowadays, the word “fasting” gets thrown around a lot, especially “intermittent fasting.” It seems as if intermittent fasting is the only type of fast most people refer to.

However, there’re several different fast—that are actually biblical—that we can do as well. Let’s cover three biblical fast that’ll give you more options to choose from, when you do decide to fast!

In this post, you are going to learn about different types of fasting in the Bible, things you should not do while fasting, and the type of fast God wants.

After reading this post, you’ll have a clear understanding of what each fast consist of, which fasting pleases God, and you’ll have helpful informative scriptures to help you learn more about fasting.

This post is all about types of fasting in the Bible.

Types of fasting in the Bible

3 Types of Fasting in the Bible

If you read the Bible, you’ll see that several people went on fast especially during hard times. And, not all their fast were the same either. Daniel went on a partial fast, Esther went on a dry fast, and David went on a water fast.

The fast that Daniel underwent for 21 days to gain an understanding of a vision he had about a terrifying war, was considered a partial fast. He chose to abstain from all meat, wine, good food, and lotion. However, he still ate except he just didn’t eat any good foods. God honored Daniel’s fast and gave him the understanding that he desired.

Ester’s dry fast consisted of not drinking anything (water, juice, wine, etc.) and not eating any food as well. She fasted this way for three days to save herself and her people from being unfairly killed. Her fast proved to be successful and ultimately everyone’s lives were saved.

When David went on a fast to save his sick child it’s safe to say that he went on a water-only fast. Although the Bible doesn’t specifically say that he did a water fast, it does say that he ate no food for seven days. Whenever others fasted in the Bible, it clearly describes what they abstained from. And because it stated that he ate no food, but didn’t mention anything about water, then we can safely assume that he did a water fast. David’s fast consisted of only consuming water and no other liquids, and no food at all.

What Type of Fasting God Wants

When we fast, we are required to abstain. Abstaining can be done in several ways depending on which type of fast we choose for ourselves. Daniel had success with a partial fast, King David with a water fast, and Queen Esther with a dry fast. They were all successful fast, although they were all different from each other. However, the one thing they all had in common was: abstinence.

The type of fast that God wants and that pleases Him is when we abstain and place our focus on Him. In Isaiah 58, God condemned His people because when they fasted, they abstained from food but didn’t abstain from everything else. They still carried on with their lives, doing whatever they wanted, and also fought each other—while they fasted. That’s mind-blowing to me! To think that they can give up food but still engage in activities that God opposes and that goes against Him, yet still think they were fasting to please God, is crazy. God is holy, and He desires Holy living especially when we fast.

Fasting Scripture

Let’s use the Bible to reference what type of fast God doesn’t want. In Isaiah 58:2-5, it reads:

“For day after day they seek me out; they seem eager to know my ways, as if they were a nation who does what is right and have not forsaken the commands of its God.

They ask me for just decisions and seem eager for God to come near them.

‘Why have we fasted,’ they say, ‘and you have not seen it? Why have we humbled ourselves, and you have not noticed?’

“Yet on the day of your fasting, you do as you please and exploit all your workers.

Your fasting ends in quarreling and strife, and in striking each other with wicked fist.

You cannot fast as you do today, and expect your voice to be heard on high.

Is this the kind of fast I have chosen, only a day for a man to humble himself?

Is it only for bowing one’s head like a reed and for lying on sackcloth and ashes?

Is this what you call a fast, a day acceptable to the LORD?”

What should you not do while Fasting

Don’t give in to your hunger or food cravings.
You’ll have to start over and it’ll be much harder to restart your fast. When those desires kick in, DO NOT give into them! It’s not worth it. It’s best to drink a glass of water and occupy your mind with a sermon, gospel music, prayer, or praise instead. It’ll get easier and easier each day to resist the food cravings and hunger. Don’t give into your food cravings or hunger, breaking your fast will make you feel like you failed.
I know, I’ve been there before. You set your mind to fast and abstain from certain things, then you get a food craving. It sucks, because sometimes the cravings are so strong that you give into the food craving and end up breaking your fast. Then you procrastinate and push your fast off and tell yourself, “I’ll just start the fast tomorrow.” It’s not worth it. Keep going strong and endure it until it’s over.
Don’t engage in your hobbies.
Fasting is not about pleasure or our enjoyment. It’s meant to humble ourselves and engage with God instead of everything else that brings us fulfillment. When you take your mind off God and prayer, and place it on your hobbies you take away from the time that should go to God. God wants us to give up and abstain from not only food, but the things that bring us pleasure as well. The whole point of fasting is to abstain from things, to put God first, and connect with Him. Don’t go against that by engaging in your hobbies.
Don’t exercise.
Exercising can be tempting, especially if you’re used to exercising regularly. Some people may want to exercise with the goal to lose weight or tone their body, but that’s not a good idea. Your body is running on a very limited energy reserve because of lack of food. What little energy you have should go towards intimacy with God because you’ll need it. I guarantee that when you exercise, you’ll be so exhausted afterwards that you’ll retreat to sleep and won’t have any energy left to focus on your fast. Fasting isn’t a diet or weight loss program, so don’t treat it as one. Treat it as it’s supposed to be treated: give up your comfort and enjoyment to connect with God! And, trust me He sees your sacrifice and He will honor it.
Don’t have conversations that you don’t need to have.
It’s best to keep your conversations limited and keep them focused on God. Of course, there will be times when you’ll have to conversate to get things done at work or in your household, that’s understandable. But, when the conversations turn into meaningless conversations, then it’s best to cut them off and remove yourself from the environment. For example, you’re fasting and your friend calls and wants to talk about her experience that she had at a music concert. It’s best to not engage in that conversation and tell her you’ll call her back. Then return her call once you finish your fast. A conversation like that is something that you’d normally participate in, but because you are abstaining, then abstain from that conversation and instead focus your attention of God.
Don’t argue or fight!
God makes his point very clear in Isaiah 58:4 when He condemned Israel for fighting while they “fasted.” It reads:

“Yet on the day of your fasting,

you do as you please and

exploit all your workers.

Your fasting ends in quarreling and strife,

and in striking each other with wicked fist.

You cannot fast as you do today,

and expect your voice to be heard on high.”

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What Type of Fast Did Jesus Do

Before Jesus began his ministry, he went on a 40 day fast. Although the Bible doesn’t specifically say he didn’t drink water, it’s safe to believe that he did, considering how long his fast was and the outdoor elements that he faced as he fasted. The Bible does however say that Jesus ate nothing during the 40 days. So, we can safely believe that Jesus did a 40-day water-only fast.

Types of Fasting in the Bible Verses & Scriptures

Luke 12:48,

“…For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall much be required…”

Jonah 3:7-10,

“…Do not let any man or beast, herd or flock, taste anything; do not let them eat or drink. But let man and beast be covered with sackcloth. Let everyone call urgently on God.

Let them give up their evil ways and their violence. Who knows? God may yet relent and with compassion turn from His fierce anger so that we may not perish.”

When God saw what they did and how they turned from their evil ways, he had compassion and did not bring upon them the destruction he had threatened.”