Fastings and Prayers

 “[Anna] did not depart from the temple, but served God with fastings and prayers night and day.” —Luke 2:37 (nkjv)

God. In Luke 2:37, we learn that Anna served God with “fastings and prayers.” To fast is to go without food, right? Well, not exactly. Going without food is just an expression of fasting. The Aramaic word used for “fastings” is tsom (םוצ), which is identical to the Hebrew word tsom (םוצ). The Greek word used in this verse is nesteials, and the Septuagint* (the Old Testament translated into Greek) uses the word nesteials for the Hebrew word tsom (םוצ). The Aramaic word tsom (םוצ), with its Hebrew equivalent, does offer some insight. In its Semitic form, the Aramaic and Hebrew word tsom (םוצ) has the idea of submitting the very necessities of one’s life in order to receive some knowledge. 

In ancient times, the term was used for a soldier who gave up his life to be recognized by one of his gods and receive the knowledge of the gods. In the biblical context, it means to submit to God’s will in order to bring about a transformation through the revelation of His hidden knowledge. That is the very essence of fasting. It is why going without food, the very basic necessity of life, is one of the most common expressions of fasting. But there are other ways to fast.

Anna lived a fasted lifestyle. She continually stayed in the temple, denying herself fleshly desires to pursue God’s will. This was called a service to God.

The meaning of prayer in the Greek, Aramaic, and Hebrew is not only prayers of petition, but also intercessory prayers—prayers of petition for others rather than oneself. Anna continually remained in the temple living a life of fleshly denial and interceding for others day and night. That also is called a service to God. It was not being a prophetess that was called her service; it was her “fastings and prayers.”

- Chaim Bentorah & Laura Bertone, Hebrew Word Study , Vol 2.