ἀναστενάζω (anastenazō)
anastenazō
to sigh deeply
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The verb anastenazō describes a deep, inward sigh that rises from the chest. It combines a prefix indicating upward movement with a root meaning to groan or sigh, capturing a physical expression of heavy emotion. In Scripture, this word appears only once, in Mark 8:12, where Jesus lets out such a sigh before speaking.
This single occurrence carries significant weight. The context shows Jesus responding to the Pharisees’ demand for a sign. Rather than anger, His reaction is a profound, weary sigh, reflecting the depth of their spiritual hardness. The word suggests a burdened heart rather than simple frustration, highlighting the tension between divine compassion and human unbelief.
Translators often render it as "sighed deeply in his spirit," preserving the sense of an internal struggle made audible. It stands apart from words for loud lament or angry shouting, focusing instead on a silent, heavy weight that escapes as breath. This usage underscores the emotional cost of persistent unbelief.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
When Jesus sighed deeply in Mark 8:12, He was not simply annoyed by the Pharisees’ demand for a miracle. That Greek word, anastenazō, describes a heavy sigh rising from the chest, a physical expression of a burdened heart. It reveals that persistent unbelief does not just anger God; it grieves Him. This intimate detail shows us that our spiritual hardness has real emotional weight, even on the Son of God.
For you, this offers a gentle reminder to value the signs already given. Instead of demanding more proof, we can rest in the compassion that meets us with patience rather than immediate judgment. It invites us to approach God with humility, recognizing that He understands our struggles and carries our burdens with deep, personal care.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- having sighed deeply1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- ἀναστενάξας1×
Key Verses
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Mark 8:12
He sighed deeply in his spirit and said, “Why does this generation seek a sign? Most certainly I tell you, no sign will be given to this generation.”
This verse captures Jesus' weary response to the Pharisees' demand for a sign, showing that their spiritual hardness caused Him a profound, internal grief rather than simple anger.