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: [from H6202 (עָרַף - break its neck)]

1. the nape or back of the neck (as declining)
2. (hence, literally or figuratively) the back in general

stiff-necked

From araph; the nape or back of the neck (as declining); hence, the back generally (whether literal or figurative) -- back ((stiff-)neck((-ed).

see HEBREW araph

Word Origin
from an unused word
Definition
back of the neck, neck
NASB Translation
back (5), backs (5), became stubborn* (2), neck (11), necks (2), obstinate* (4), stubborn* (2), stubbornness* (1).

עֹ֫רֶף noun masculine^{Deuteronomy 31:27} back of neck, neck; — ׳ע absolute Joshua 7:12 +; construct Genesis 49:8 +; suffix עָרְמִּי Job 16:12, עָרְמְּךָ Deuteronomy 31:27, etc.; —

1 back of neck of fleeing foe ׳וגו ׳יָָֽדְךָ בְּע Genesis 49:8 (poem in J), compare וְאָחַז בְּעָרְמִּי Job 16:12 (figurative); Exodus 23:27 (E), Psalm 18:41 = 2 Samuel 22:41; turn (הָפַח, מָּנָה) one's back before (לִפְנֵי) a foe Joshua 7:8,12 (JE), absolute Jeremiah 48:39; figurative of apostasy אֶל ׳מָּנָה ע Jeremiah 2:27; Jeremiah 32:33 (opposed to מָּנָה פָנִים) absolute ׳וַיִּתְּנּוּ ע2Chronicles 29:6; of ׳יs disfavour וְלֹא פָנִים אֶרְאֵם ׳ע Jeremiah 18:17 with the back and not the face will I look at them.

2 figurative in ׳קְשֵׁהעֿ stiff of neck, i.e. obstinate, of Israel Exodus 32:8; Exodus 33:3,5; Exodus 34:9 (all J E), Deuteronomy 9:6,13; עָרְמְּךָ הַקָּשֶׁה Deuteronomy 31:27; with verb ׳הִקְשָׁה ע i.e. be obstinate, intractable Deuteronomy 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; compare ׳גִּיד בַּרְזֶל ע Isaiah 48:4 ("" קָשֶׁה אָ֑תָּה); ׳הִקְשָׁה ע of individual 2 Chronicles 36:13; Proverbs 29:1.

3 of bird: nip its head מִמּוּל עָרְמּוֺ Leviticus 5:8 (P).

Summary of Usage

עֹרֶף (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 as 2 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 of Proverbs 29:1 and Deuteronomy 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

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·ḵemInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts