Lexical Summary anastenazó: To groan deeply, to sigh Original Word: ἀναστενάζω Strong's Exhaustive Concordance sigh deeply. From ana and stenazo; to sigh deeply -- sigh deeply. see GREEK ana see GREEK stenazo HELPS Word-studies 389 anastenázō (from 303 /aná, "moving up from down" which intensifies 4727 /stenázō, "groan") – properly, to sigh (groan) to the uppermost; "to groan or to sigh deeply or intensely – 'to groan deeply, to sigh deeply' " (L & N, 1, 25.144), used only in Mk 8:12. NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom ana and stenazó Definition to sigh deeply NASB Translation Sighing deeply (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 389: ἀναστενάζωἀναστενάζω: 1 aorist ἀνεστεναξα; to draw sighs up frown the bottom of the breast, to sigh deeply: Mark 8:12. (Lamentations 1:4; Sir. 25:18 (17); 2 Macc. 6:30, and in Greek writings from (Aeschylus choëph. 335) Herodotus 1, 86 down.) Topical Lexicon Occurrence and Context Strong’s Greek 389 appears once in the New Testament, in Mark 8:12, where Jesus “sighed deeply in His spirit” (Berean Standard Bible). The moment unfolds immediately after the Pharisees demand a sign from heaven, situating the word within a climactic dialogue about unbelief and authentic faith. Emotional and Semantic Range The verb portrays an audible, visceral exhalation that rises from the depth of one’s being. In Scripture it conveys more than physical fatigue; it communicates profound grief mixed with righteous frustration. Because it is intensified by the prefix “ana-,” the sigh is not superficial. Rather, it is an interior groan that reaches outward, resonating with compassion for human hardness and sorrow over spiritual blindness. The Sigh of Christ in Mark 8:12 Jesus’ deep sigh bridges His perfect holiness with genuine human emotion. By refusing to grant the sensational sign demanded, the Lord underscores that true faith responds to God’s revealed Word, not to spectacular proofs. His sigh therefore functions as both lament and judgment. Old Testament Echoes Although the exact form is unique to Mark, Scripture is threaded with godly groaning: These passages foreshadow Jesus’ sigh, showing continuity in God’s response to covenant unfaithfulness. Relation to New Testament Themes The Lord’s sigh connects with broader New Testament motifs: All point to the present tension between what is and what shall be, a tension Christ embodies in Mark 8:12. Historical Reception Early church commentators, including Chrysostom and Augustine, viewed the sigh as evidence of Christ’s dual nature: truly divine yet profoundly empathetic. Medieval homilies often highlighted His sorrow over unbelief as a call to self-examination. Reformers emphasized the passage to warn against demanding extra-biblical signs when God’s Word already suffices. Pastoral and Ministry Application 1. Shepherding Hearts: Leaders may echo Christ’s sigh when confronted with persistent unbelief, balancing sorrow with unwavering proclamation of truth. Eschatological Glimpse Christ’s sigh hints at the final removal of all groaning when faith becomes sight. Until then, the church lives in hopeful tension, assured that the One who once sighed over unbelief will someday wipe away every tear (Revelation 21:4). Summary Strong’s Greek 389 captures a single, profound breath of the incarnate Son—an audible symbol of divine grief, compassion, and resolve. It calls every generation to repent of unbelief, receive the testimony of Scripture, and await the day when sighing is swallowed up by everlasting joy. Forms and Transliterations αναστενάζουσιν αναστεναξας αναστενάξας ἀναστενάξας ανάστημα anastenaxas anastenáxasLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts |
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