Where is abstinence found in the Bible?

Answer 1

Great question! :)

If you're looking for the occurence of the actual word, it will depend on which translation you are reading. There are several online concordances for various translations. For example, the Vatican website has a concordance for the New American Biblewhich shows 2 occurences (3 counting footnotes) of the word abstinence:

Abstinence - 2 occurences

When a man makes a vow to theLORD or binds himself under oathto a pledge of abstinence, he shall not violate his word, but must fulfill exactly the promisehe has uttered. (Numbers 30:3 NAB)

Now the Spirit explicitly saysthat in the last times some will turnaway from the faith by payingattention to deceitful spiritsand demonic instructions through thehypocrisy of liars with brandedconsciences. They forbid marriageand require abstinence fromfoods that God created to bereceived with thanksgiving by those whobelieve and know the truth. (1 Timothy 4:1-3 NAB)

Abstain - 6 occurences

Nm 6:3

Dt 12:25

Jdg 13:13

Zech 7:3

Acts 15:29

Acts 21:25

Abstained - 1 occurence

1 Sam 21:5 NAB

Abstaining - 1 occurence

Jer 17:24-25 NAB

Abstains - 4 occurences

Rom 14:3 (2 times)

Rom 14:6 (2 times)

Abstemious - 1 occurence

Sir 37:30

The deuterocanonical text above (Sirach) has an equivalent verse in early Reformed translations of The Bible as well, such as the first printing of the 1611 King James Version:

Sirach

Through lack of self-control many have died, but the abstemiousman prolongs his life. Sir 37:30, NAB.

By surfetting have many perished, but hee that taketh heed, prolongeth his life. Sir 37:31, 1611 KJV.

REFERENCES

Confraternity of Christian Doctrine. The New American Bible, (Iowa Falls: IA, World Bible Publishers, Inc. 1991).

The Bible Museum. The Bible: 1611 King James Version: 1st Edition, 1st Printing, (Goodyear, AZ: The Bible Museum, 2006).