389. anastenazó
Lexical Summary
anastenazó: To groan deeply, to sigh

Original Word: ἀναστενάζω
Part of Speech: Verb
Transliteration: anastenazó
Pronunciation: an-as-ten-AH-zo
Phonetic Spelling: (an-as-ten-ad'-zo)
KJV: sigh deeply
NASB: Sighing deeply
Word Origin: [from G303 (ἀνά - each) and G4727 (στενάζω - groan)]

1. to sigh deeply

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 Origin
from ana and stenazó
Definition
to sigh deeply
NASB Translation
Sighing deeply (1).

Thayer's Greek Lexicon
STRONGS NT 389: ἀναστενάζω

ἀναστενάζω: 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.
• It exposes the tension between divine patience and holy indignation.
• It affirms His full participation in our humanity; He feels the weight of obstinate unbelief.
• It anticipates the larger narrative arc in which rejection by religious leaders culminates at the cross.

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:
• Israel’s groans in bondage rise to God (Exodus 2:24).
• The psalmist sighs amid persecution (Psalm 31:10).
• Ezekiel is commanded to “groan with breaking heart” before rebellious Israel (Ezekiel 21:6).

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:
• Creation itself “groans” awaiting redemption (Romans 8:22-23).
• Believers “groan, longing to be clothed” with resurrection life (2 Corinthians 5:2-4).
• The Spirit intercedes “with groans too deep for words” (Romans 8:26).

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.
2. Intercessory Prayer: The word encourages believers to bring grief over sin to God with unguarded honesty, trusting that the Spirit translates such groans into effective petition.
3. Apologetics: While evidences have value, Mark 8:12 cautions against capitulating to skepticism that masks hardened hearts; the gospel itself remains “the power of God unto salvation” (Romans 1:16).

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 anastenáxas
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Interlinear GreekInterlinear HebrewStrong's NumbersEnglishman's Greek ConcordanceEnglishman's Hebrew ConcordanceParallel Texts
Englishman's Concordance
Mark 8:12 V-APA-NMS
GRK: καὶ ἀναστενάξας τῷ πνεύματι
NAS: Sighing deeply in His spirit, He said,
KJV: And he sighed deeply in his spirit,
INT: And having groaned in the spirit

Strong's Greek 389
1 Occurrence


ἀναστενάξας — 1 Occ.

388
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