Topical Encyclopedia
The term "stiffens" in the biblical context often refers to the hardening of one's heart or the refusal to heed divine instruction. This concept is frequently associated with rebellion against God and a resistance to His will. The act of stiffening one's neck or heart is symbolic of obstinacy and pride, which are condemned throughout Scripture.
Old Testament ContextIn the Old Testament, the imagery of stiffening one's neck is used to describe the Israelites' frequent rebellion against God. In
Exodus 32:9 , the Lord says to Moses, "I have seen this people, and they are indeed a stiff-necked people." This description is reiterated in
Deuteronomy 9:6 , where Moses reminds the Israelites, "Understand, then, that it is not because of your righteousness that the LORD your God is giving you this good land to possess, for you are a stiff-necked people."
The concept of stiffening is also evident in the narrative of Pharaoh during the Exodus. Despite witnessing numerous signs and wonders, Pharaoh's heart was hardened, and he refused to let the Israelites go.
Exodus 7:13 states, "Still, Pharaoh’s heart was hardened, and he would not listen to them, just as the LORD had said."
Prophetic WarningsThe prophets frequently warned against the stiffening of hearts as a barrier to repentance and restoration. In
Jeremiah 7:26 , God laments, "Yet they would not listen to Me or incline their ear, but they stiffened their necks and did more evil than their fathers." This resistance to divine instruction is portrayed as a significant factor leading to judgment and exile.
Ezekiel also addresses this issue, describing the Israelites as "a rebellious house" (
Ezekiel 2:5) and emphasizing their stubbornness. The prophet's role was to speak God's truth to a people who had hardened their hearts against Him.
New Testament ApplicationIn the New Testament, the theme of stiffening is less about physical rebellion and more about spiritual resistance. Stephen, in his speech before the Sanhedrin, accuses the Jewish leaders of being "stiff-necked" and resisting the Holy Spirit (
Acts 7:51). This accusation highlights the continuity of this rebellious spirit from the Old Testament to the New Testament era.
The Apostle Paul also warns against hardening one's heart in response to God's voice. In
Hebrews 3:15 , he exhorts believers, "As it has been said: 'Today, if you hear His voice, do not harden your hearts as you did in the rebellion.'"
Spiritual ImplicationsThe act of stiffening one's heart or neck is a metaphor for spiritual insensitivity and pride. It signifies a refusal to submit to God's authority and a rejection of His guidance. This condition is dangerous because it prevents individuals from experiencing the fullness of God's grace and mercy.
The Bible consistently calls for a softening of the heart, urging believers to remain open and responsive to God's leading. In
Ezekiel 36:26 , God promises, "I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will remove your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh." This transformation is essential for a genuine relationship with God and a life that reflects His will.
Greek
3583. xeraino -- to dry up, waste away... Word Origin from xeros Definition to dry up, waste away NASB Word Usage dried (2),
dries (1), ripe (1),
stiffens (1), wither (1), withered (4), withered away (3
...Library
When a Man is Asked to Write Down what He Really Thinks on...
... When a man is asked to write down what he really thinks on education, a certain
gravity grips andstiffens his soul, which might be mistaken by the superficial...
Dissolving views.
... Prayer wonderfully clears the vision; steadies the nerves; defines duty;
stiffens the purpose; sweetens and strengthens the spirit....
May the Tenth God's Use of Men
... He pours His strength into a worm, and it becomes "an instrument with teeth."
Hestiffens a frail reed and it becomes as an iron pillar....
Jeremiah's Roll Burned and Reproduced
... Is it not kind to wake, even violently, a traveller who has fallen asleep
on the snow, before drowsinessstiffens into death? III....
God's Inheritance and Ours
... He that would coerce my will,stiffens it into rebellion; but when a beloved one
says, 'Though I might be much bold to enjoin thee, yet for love's sake I...
On the Life and Poetic Genius of Edward Young.
... Iago, after his detection, sinks into obstinate silence; hestiffens into
the statue of a demon. Zanga dies, using lofty imagery....
Lessons for Worship and for Work
... Nothing hardens hearts,stiffens wills, and sears consciences so much as to be brought
to the point of melting, and then to cool down into the old shape....
Resurgam
... The very flesh and blood that is buried, the very eyes that are closed in death,
the very hand whichstiffens by my corpse, these very members shall live again...
A Kingdom's Epitaph
... more obstinate. Like some perverse ox in the yoke, hestiffens his neck,
and stands the very picture of brute obduracy. There is...
The Call of Matthew
... Jesus here speaks as all the prophets had spoken, and smites with a deadly stroke
the mechanical formalism which in every agestiffens religion into ceremonies...
Thesaurus
Stiffens (2 Occurrences)... Multi-Version Concordance
Stiffens (2 Occurrences).
... Proverbs 29:1 He who is often
rebuked and
stiffens his neck will be destroyed suddenly, with no remedy.
...Stiffened (7 Occurrences)
Remedy (6 Occurrences)
... (WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS NIV). Proverbs 29:1 He who is often rebuked andstiffens
his neck will be destroyed suddenly, with no remedy....
Stiffhearted (1 Occurrence)
Rebuked (39 Occurrences)
... (WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT). Proverbs 29:1 He who is often rebuked andstiffens
his neck will be destroyed suddenly, with no remedy. (WEB)....
Often (74 Occurrences)
... (YLT). Proverbs 29:1 He who is often rebuked andstiffens his neck will be destroyed
suddenly, with no remedy. (WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT RSV)....
Suddenly (87 Occurrences)
... (WEB NIV). Proverbs 29:1 He who is often rebuked andstiffens his neck will be
destroyed suddenly, with no remedy. (WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)...
Neck (97 Occurrences)
... (WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV). Proverbs 29:1 He who is often rebuked
andstiffens his neck will be destroyed suddenly, with no remedy....
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