Original Word: ἀνά
Part of Speech: Preposition
Transliteration: ana
Pronunciation: ä-nä'
Phonetic Spelling: (an-ah')
KJV: and, apiece, by, each, every (man), in, through
NASB: each, apiece, each one
Word Origin: [a primary preposition and adverb]

1. (properly) up
2. (by extension, used distributively) severally or amidst, etc.
3. (by implication, as a prefix) (it often means) repetition, intensity, reversal, etc

up, upwards, each

A primary preposition and adverb; properly, up; but (by extension) used (distributively) severally, or (locally) at (etc.) -- and, apiece, by, each, every (man), in, through. In compounds (as a prefix) it often means (by implication) repetition, intensity, reversal, etc.

Word Origin
a prim. preposition and adverb
Definition
as a preposition denotes upwards, up, as a prefix denotes up, again, back
NASB Translation
among* (1), apiece (1), between* (1), each (3), each one (1), within* (1).

STRONGS NT 303: ἀνά

ἀνά, preposition, properly, upward, up (cf. the adverb ἄνω, opposed to κατά and κάτω), denoting motion from a lower place to a higher (cf. Winer's Grammar, 398 (372) n.); rare in the N. T. and only with the accusative

1. in the expressions ἀνά μέσον (or jointly ἀναμέσον (so Rst Tr in Revelation 7:17)) into the midst, in the midst, amidst, among, between — with the genitive of place, Matthew 13:25; Mark 7:31; Revelation 7:17 (on this passage see μέσος, 2 at the end); of person, 1 Corinthians 6:5, with which cf. Sir. 25:18-17ἀνά μέσον τοῦ (Fritzsche, τῶν) πλησίον αὐτοῦ; cf. Winers Grammar, § 27, 1 at the end (Buttmann, 332 (285)) (Sir. 27:2; 1 Macc. 7:28 1 Macc. 13:40, etc.; in the Sept. for בֲּתוך, Exodus 26:28; Joshua 16:9; Joshua 19:1; Diodorus 2, 4 ἀνά μέσον τῶν χειλέων (see μέσος, 2)); ἀνά μέρος (Vulg.perpartes), in turn, one after another, in succession: 1 Corinthians 14:27 (where Rec.st writes ἀναμέρος) (Polybius 4, 20, 10 ἀνά μέρος ᾄδειν).

2. joined to numerals, it has a distributive force (Winers Grammar, 398 (372); Buttmann, 331f (285)): John 2:6 (ἀνά μετρητάς δύο ἤ τρεῖς two or three metretae apiece); Matthew 20:9f (ἔλαβον ἀνά δηνάριον they received each a denarius); Luke 9:3 (Tr brackets; WH omits ἀνά; ); (ἀνά δύο (WH ἀνά δύο (δύο)) two by two); Mark 6:40 (L T Tr WH κατά); (Revelation 4:8); and very often in Greek writings; cf. Winer's Grammar, 398 (372). It is used adverbially in Revelation 21:21 (ἀνά εἷς ἕκαστος, like ἀνά τέσσαρες, Plutarch, Aem. 32; cf. Winers Grammar, 249 (234); (Buttmann, 30 (26))).

3. Prefixed to verbs ἀνά signifies,

a. upward, up, up to (Latinad, German auf), as in ἀνακρούειν, ἀναβαίνειν, ἀναβάλλειν, ἀνακράζειν, etc.

b. it corresponds to the Latinad (German an), to (indicating the goal), as in ἀναγγέλλειν (others would refer this to d.), ἀνάπτειν.

c. it denotes repetition, renewal, equivalent todenuo, anew, over again, as in ἀναγεννᾶν.

d. it corresponds to the Latinre,retro, back, backward, as in ἀνακάμπτειν, ἀναχωρεῖν, etc. Cf. Winer's De verb. comp. Part iii., p. 3f

Semantic Range and New Testament Distribution

The term translated by most English versions as “among,” “through,” “per,” or “each” appears thirteen times in the New Testament. Whether used with nouns (Matthew 13:25; Mark 7:31) or numerals (Luke 9:3; Revelation 21:21), it consistently indicates orderly distribution, measured proportion, or movement within a space. The contexts cluster around three spheres: (1) the organization of people and resources during Christ’s earthly ministry, (2) apostolic direction for congregational life, and (3) the ordered glory of the heavenly realm.

Providing a Measure of Fairness and Equity

In Matthew 20:9-10 Jesus’ vineyard parable features laborers who “each received a denarius”. The preposition underscores the landowner’s just sovereignty: all laborers receive exactly what was promised, exposing any complaint as envy, not inequity. This usage reveals God’s impartial generosity and cautions disciples against bargaining for prominence.

Divine Order in Ministry Assignments

Luke records that the Lord “sent them two by two” (Luke 10:1). By pairing the seventy-two, Christ models accountability, mutual encouragement, and credible witness (Deuteronomy 19:15). The same distributive idea lies behind His instruction to take “no second tunic” (Luke 9:3), teaching dependence on providence rather than surplus. Modern mission strategy still draws on this pattern—teams, not lone emissaries, safeguard purity of doctrine and practice.

Communal Organization and Miraculous Provision

When five thousand are seated “in groups of about fifty each” (Luke 9:14), orderly arrangement becomes the conduit for miraculous multiplication. Similarly, in Matthew 13:25 the enemy sows weeds “among the wheat,” illustrating how scattered corruption can spread unnoticed. These narratives together warn leaders to cultivate vigilant structure that resists infiltration while facilitating blessing.

Purity and Transformation

John 2:6 notes six stone jars holding “from twenty to thirty gallons each”. The measured capacity stresses both the sufficiency of Christ’s provision and the symbolic cleansing that will surpass ritual water with covenant wine. The precise allotment testifies that grace is abundant yet never chaotic.

Wisdom and Accountability in the Church

Paul appeals to Corinth: “Is there really no one wise among you who can arbitrate between his brothers?” (1 Corinthians 6:5, cf. “among you”). The preposition pictures a qualified believer standing in the midst, mediating disputes. Biblical counseling and church discipline derive authority from such embedded wisdom rather than external litigation.

Regulation of Spiritual Gifts

“Two, or at the most three” (1 Corinthians 14:27) tongue-speakers may address the assembly, and that “each in turn.” Here distribution guards edification: gifts are shared, not monopolized. Orderly worship reflects God’s character (1 Corinthians 14:33) and prevents confusion.

Movement Through Regions and Hearts

Mark 7:31 details Jesus traveling “through the region of Decapolis,” a deliberate path that highlights His inclusion of Gentile territories. Geographical movement “through the midst” anticipates the gospel’s expansion from Jerusalem to the nations.

Heavenly Worship and Eschatological Fulfillment

Revelation abounds with the term:
• “Each of the four living creatures had six wings” (Revelation 4:8) – every being fully equipped for ceaseless praise.
• The Lamb stands “in the center of the throne” (Revelation 7:17) – the focal point of redeemed history.
• The New Jerusalem’s gates are “each made of a single pearl” (Revelation 21:21) – perfect beauty repeated without variation, signifying complete access for the saints.

Pastoral and Discipleship Applications

1. Equitable stewardship: pastors must remunerate laborers fairly and honor commitments (Matthew 20).
2. Team ministry: sending workers in pairs fosters resilience and doctrinal integrity (Luke 10).
3. Structured gatherings: clear limits on participation keep worship intelligible and edifying (1 Corinthians 14).
4. Vigilant purity: leaders guard congregations against covert false teaching sown “among” the faithful (Matthew 13).
5. Hopeful worship: every believer anticipates an ordered, radiant eternity where provision is exact and sufficient (Revelation 21).

Historical and Patristic Reflections

Early commentators such as Chrysostom cited Matthew 20 to defend almsgiving rooted in equality, while The Didache echoes Luke 10’s “two by two” principle in its travel instructions for prophets. The distribution motif also influenced liturgical seating and the allocation of deacons to household visitations.

Key Theological Themes

Orderliness reflects divine character. Distribution underscores both justice and generosity. Presence “in the midst” signals mediation and fellowship. Together, these nuances call the Church to mirror heavenly order in earthly practice, confident that the One who apportions “each” gift and resource will culminate history in flawless, measured glory.

αμαμέσον ανα ανά ἀνὰ αναβαθμίσιν αναμέσον άναμέσον ana anàInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts