Lexical Summary
oreph: Neck, back of the neck, stubbornness
Original Word:עֹרֶף
Part of Speech:Noun Masculine
Transliteration:`oreph
Pronunciation:OH-ref
Phonetic Spelling:(o-ref')
KJV: back ((stiff-)neck((-ed)
NASB:neck, back, backs, necks
Word Origin:[fromH6202 (עָרַף - break its neck)]
1. the nape or back of the neck (as declining)
2. (hence, literally or figuratively) the back in general
Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
stiff-necked
Fromaraph; the nape or back of the neck (as declining); hence, the back generally (whether literal or figurative) -- back ((stiff-)neck((-ed).
see HEBREWaraph
NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Originfrom an unused word
Definitionback of the neck, neck
NASB Translationback (5), backs (5), became stubborn* (2), neck (11), necks (2), obstinate* (4), stubborn* (2), stubbornness* (1).
Brown-Driver-Briggs
Deuteronomy 31:27 ; — absolute
Joshua 7:12 +; construct
Genesis 49:8 +; suffix
Job 16:12,
Deuteronomy 31:27, etc.; —
back of neck of fleeing foeGenesis 49:8 (poem in J), compareJob 16:12 (figurative);Exodus 23:27 (E),Psalm 18:41 =2 Samuel 22:41;turn (, )one's back before () a foeJoshua 7:8,12 (JE), absoluteJeremiah 48:39; figurative of apostasyJeremiah 2:27;Jeremiah 32:33 (opposed to ) absolute 2Chronicles 29:6; of s disfavourJeremiah 18:17with the back and not the face will I look at them.
figurative instiff of neck, i.e.obstinate, of IsraelExodus 32:8;Exodus 33:3,5;Exodus 34:9 (all J E),Deuteronomy 9:6,13;Deuteronomy 31:27; with verb i.e. be obstinate, intractableDeuteronomy 10:16;Jeremiah 7:26;Jeremiah 17:23;Jeremiah 19:15;2 Kings 17:14 (twice in verse);Nehemiah 9:16,17,29; 2Chronicles 30:8; compareIsaiah 48:4 ("" ); of individual 2 Chronicles 36:13;Proverbs 29:1.
Leviticus 5:8 (P).
Topical Lexicon
Summary of Usageעֹרֶף (ʿōreph) occurs roughly thirty-three times, describing either the physical back of the neck or, metaphorically, an obstinate heart. The Hebrew writers use the same term for an enemy forced to flee and for covenant people who refuse to yield to the Lord. Thus the word forms a thematic bridge between submission and rebellion, victory and judgment.
Literal and Martial Contexts
1. Promise of Victory – “I will…make all your enemies turn their backs to you” (Exodus 23:27).
2. Embodied Triumph – Joshua commands his chiefs, “Come forward, place your feet on the necks of these kings” (Joshua 10:24).
3. Davidic Warfare – “You have made my enemies turn their backs in retreat” (Psalm 18:40).
The exposed neck signals total defeat. In each scene the Lord Himself grants the victory, underscoring that Israel’s success depends on divine rather than human strength.
Metaphorical Usage: The Stiff-Necked Heart
Beginning at Sinai, עֹרֶף becomes shorthand for covenant infidelity:
•Exodus 32:9; 33:3, 5; 34:9 – “stiff-necked people.”
•Deuteronomy 9:6, 13; 31:27 – Moses testifies to a chronic condition.
•2 Kings 17:14 – Northern Israel “stiffened their necks like their fathers.”
•2 Chronicles 30:8 – Hezekiah pleads, “Do not stiffen your neck…yield to the LORD.”
•Nehemiah 9:16-29;Jeremiah 7:26; 17:23; 19:15 – the exile prophets trace judgment to the same hardened posture.
•Proverbs 29:1 – persistent stubbornness ends in sudden ruin.
The idiom pictures an animal that refuses a yoke. When the neck resists, every other member of the body follows in disobedience.
Covenantal Warnings and Calls to Submission
Deuteronomy 10:16 introduces the remedy: “Circumcise your hearts, and do not be stiff-necked any longer.” The prophets echo this invitation, coupling the image of the uncircumcised heart with the stiffened neck. Yielding the neck to God means embracing His yoke (Jeremiah 27) and entering the place of blessing (2 Chronicles 30:8).
Theological Significance
1. Sovereign Lordship – Whether turning enemy necks or confronting a stubborn people, the Lord’s authority remains uncontested.
2. Human Responsibility – The same word that marks a fleeing foe indicts a rebellious Israel; the issue is posture toward God.
3. Redemptive Pattern – Israel’s history moves from stiff-neck (Sinai) to broken neck (exile) to bowed neck (post-exilic repentance), prefiguring the gospel call to “learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart” (Matthew 11:29).
Foreshadowing Christ’s Triumph
The martial use in Psalms anticipates the Messiah’s ultimate conquest of evil (Psalm 18;Psalm 110). Enemies who refuse His gracious rule will, in the end, yield their necks in forced submission, whereas His people willingly bow.
New Testament Echoes
Stephen’s indictment, “You stiff-necked people” (Acts 7:51), rehearses the entire Old Testament narrative before introducing the risen Christ. The Greek term is different, yet the concept and the history behind it are rooted in עֹרֶף.
Practical Ministry Applications
• Preaching – Highlight the contrast between a yielded neck (submission) and a stiff neck (rebellion).
• Pastoral Counseling – Use passages such as2 Chronicles 30:8 to call believers to surrender stubborn areas of life.
• Worship – Songs celebrating God’s victory (Psalm 18) remind the congregation that the same Lord graciously invites them to bow willingly.
• Discipleship – Encourage memorization ofProverbs 29:1 andDeuteronomy 10:16 to foster a soft, responsive heart.
Key References
Exodus 23:27; 32:9; 33:3, 5; 34:9
Deuteronomy 9:6, 13; 10:16; 31:27
Joshua 7:8; 10:24
2 Kings 17:14
2 Chronicles 30:8; 36:13
Nehemiah 9:16-29
Psalm 18:40
Proverbs 29:1
Jeremiah 7:26; 17:23; 19:15
Forms and Transliterations
בְּ֭עָרְפִּי בְּעֹ֣רֶף בערף בערפי וְעָ֨רְפְּכֶ֔ם וְעָרְפָּ֥ם וערפכם וערפם כְּעֹ֣רֶף כערף עָרְפְּךָ֖ עָרְפְּכֶ֖ם עָרְפֶּ֔ךָ עָרְפָּ֔ם עָרְפָּם֙ עָרְפּ֖וֹ עָרְפּוֹ֙ עֹ֑רֶף עֹ֔רֶף עֹ֖רֶף עֹ֗רֶף עֹ֙רֶף֙ עֹ֥רֶף עֹ֧רֶף עֹֽרֶף׃ ערף ערף׃ ערפו ערפך ערפכם ערפם ‘ā·rə·pām ‘ā·rə·pe·ḵā ‘ā·rə·pə·ḵā ‘ā·rə·pə·ḵem ‘ā·rə·pōw ‘ārəpām ‘ārəpeḵā ‘ārəpəḵā ‘ārəpəḵem ‘ārəpōw ‘ō·rep̄ ‘ōrep̄ arePam arepeCha arepeChem arePo bə‘ārəpî bə‘ōrep̄ bə·‘ā·rə·pî bə·‘ō·rep̄ Bearepi beOref kə‘ōrep̄ kə·‘ō·rep̄ keOref Oref vearePam veArepeChem wə‘ārəpām wə‘ārəpəḵem wə·‘ā·rə·pām wə·‘ā·rə·pə·ḵem
Links
Interlinear Greek •
Interlinear Hebrew •
Strong's Numbers •
Englishman's Greek Concordance •
Englishman's Hebrew Concordance •
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