These are the Words...

Kana
כנע

Definition

Kana means "subdue" or "bring low", and is the scriptural word for either subduing an enemy in combat or subduing your own soul in actions of humility.

Meaning in Ancient Israel

In the Tenach we read of many nations being subdued in whole or in part: Moav (Judges 3:30), Canaan (Judges 4:23, Nehemiah 9:24), Midian (Judges 8:28), Ammon (Judges 11:33), the Philistines (First Samuel 7:13, Second Samuel 8:1), the northern kingdom of Israel (Second Chronicles 13:18), and the southern kingdom of Judah (Second Chronicles 28:19).

God also prefers that repentance be visibly accompanied by a subdued heart (Leviticus 26:41, Second Chronicles 7:14, 12:6-7,12). Ahav demonstrated subduing himself by tearing his clothes, wearing sackcloth, fasting, and walking softly (First Kings 21:27-29). Josiah demonstrated subduing himself by tearing his clothes and weeping (Second Kings 22:11,19).

In the Psalms we first read of a link between having anah, an attitude of humility, and the actions of kana, such as fasting (Psalm 35:13). Later on Isaiah also writes about people trying to nurture anah with fasting, sackcloth, and ashes (Isaiah 58:5).

Meaning in the First Century

Fasting for Prayer

Fasting was done by people praying petitions to God (Acts 10:30). Yeshua agreed that fasting can somehow make our prayers more effective (Matthew 17:21).

People also fasted when appointing others to leadership (Acts 14:23).

Fasting for Humility

By the first century, Jewish culture had solidified the link betwen the concepts of anah and kana. The way to cultivate a constant attidue of humility, or to "afflict your soul" (on Yom Kippur, or with the oath of Numbers 30:13), was to by fasting, wearing sackcloth, and walking softly.

Other behaviors latter written about in the Talmud may also have been understood as part of kana as early as the first century. These include sitting on low seats, abstaining from bathing or haircuts, and abstaining from sexual activity.

Fasting Twice Weekly

Fasting twice a week was an established first century practice (Luke 18:12).

The Didache gave advice about this twice-weekly fasting to the early followers of Yeshua:

"let not your fastings be with the hypocrites, for they fast on the second and the fifth day of the week; but you keep your fast on the fourth and on the preparation day [sixth day]."

To the best of our congregation's knowledge, scholars are unsure if this twice-weekly fasting was of one meal or all the day's meals, and no longer know the context of the argument about which days to fast.

According to Talmud, on minor fast days people are only expected to fast from sunrise (after an early breakfast) to sunset (when they day ends). This reference is from a later century, but potentially describes practice of skipping two meals that was present as far back as the first century.

Meaning for Messianic Jews in Modern Times

We who follow Yeshua must also subdue ourselves.

Yeshua told his followers they would fast after he left them (Matthew 9:15) and taught about how to fast (Matthew 6:16-18) but not how often.

Fasting is still important for character development, prayer, and humility.

Fasting is still how Jews interpret "afflicting our souls" on Yom Kippur. There are also non-Biblical Jewish fast days we may observe.