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Fasting 40 Days - Humanly Possible?

Fasting 40 Days - Humanly Possible?

I just recently came across the realization that the Bible tells us that Moses fasted for 40 days. Upon looking it up I learned that Elijah also fasted 40 days.

I always thought the reason Christ was able to fast that long was because he was half human/half divine. I didn't think it was possible for a human to go that long without food and water. Any explanations you have heard of or know?

Message Edited... JB: Corrected title.

Possible Humanly Days Fasting

Medically speaking, healthy humans can go up to eight weeks without food as long as they have water. People have gone longer and been fine, and people have starved to death in less time. A key factor is what shape they are in. Being strong and in good physical shape can help you survive longer, but so does having extra body fat. Gandhi fasted for 21 days while in his 70s. There are many stories of people lost in the wilds for weeks without food and survive. Hunger strikers have gone as long as 73 days before they died. Who knows at what point they had done irreparable damage to their bodies?

Going long periods without water is a different story. Humans need water to live, plain and simple. Assuming you're in reasonable shape and in ideal conditions (not too hot or cold with minimal exertion), a person could live for about 3 to 5 days without any water. If you are in superb health you might live another day or so longer.

Now, back to the Bible. In Matthew 4:2, it says Jesus fasted and was hungered. Doesn't mention thirst. In I Kings 19:8 it says: Elijah did eat and drink, and went in the strength of that meat forty days and forty nights ..." It does not specifically say whether or not he drank during that time. However, he did go upon "the Lord's mount."
Only the Moses account specifically says he neither ate nor drank water. He also was on the mount in the presence of God.

My thoughts are that yes, Jesus was the son of God and thus better equipped than most. Both Elijah and Moses, being in the presence of God, could have had some divine intervention to help them survive.

Edited: alskann on 12th Jun, 2008 - 6:26am

Fasting 40 Days - Humanly Possible? Revealed Bible The

I believe it is very possible to fast for 40 days. I think some whop have gone on hunger strikes drank very little water. If your not eating and not moving much you can do it. taking in just a little bit of water will help your body nourish itself. You will lose some weight if you do this but how much depends on your activity level. If you plan to be active good luck with that as you may pass out a few times from under nourishment. Drinking water only will help you obtain your goal.

Possible Humanly Days Fasting

It is not medically possible, as noted above.
So.... It was either a bible story.
Or a miracle (I.e. bible story).
Another matter of faith.

Possible Humanly Days Fasting

I attend sunday school in our Church and someone once said that the expression "40 days" in hebrew means literally "a long period of time". So, it might be a matter of translation, meaning it not necessarily was exactly 40 days. It may have been less. Taking this into consideration makes it, at least to me, more reasonable.

Fasting 40 Days - Humanly Possible?

Name: Paul
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Comments: That is exactly correct, Moses and Elijah [dwelt] with God in the times that they fasted. For the presence of the Lord sustained them.

Fasting 40 Days Humanly Possible

Of course its possible to live 40 days without food but I don't think you could do it without water. Without water you won't last more than two weeks if that but without food you can last way longer especially if you're not only drinking water but juices and stuff. In Jesus' case he was part immortal so he might have suffered the pain but he wouldn't of died from fasting.