Matthew Poole and continuators on Acts 27:9

9 Now when much time was spent, and when sailing was now dangerous, because the fast was now already past, Paul admonished them,

This Fast was not any necessitated Abstinence, but a Religious Fast; as the word here used does most commonly signifie; and the Article being put to it, it may well denote some eminent and known Fast. We read, that amongst the Iews several Fasts were observed; as the Fast of the Fourth Month, of the Fifth Month, of the Seventh and of the Tenth Month, Zech. 8.19▪ But that of the Seventh Month did far exceed them all, it being the day in which the Priest was to make an Attonement for the people; and they were strictly commanded to afflict their Souls in it, Levit. 16.29. and 23.27. (Thus when we look up to him whom by our sins we have pierced, we must mourn, Zech. 12.10.) Now this Fast was to be observed on the Tenth day of Tisri, or their Seventh Month (which is made up of part of September, and part of October); and then this day, which might well be called The Fast, fell about the beginning of October; after which time, until March, they did not usually venture on the Seas, especially their ships not being so able to bear a storm as ours are; and the Art of Navigation being not yet in any reasonable degree found out amongst them.