The term "necked" in the Bible often refers to the physical neck but is also used metaphorically to describe attitudes and behaviors, particularly in relation to stubbornness or rebellion against God. The neck, being a vital and visible part of the body, serves as a powerful symbol in biblical literature.

Physical Neck:

In its literal sense, the neck is mentioned in various contexts throughout the Bible. It is often associated with strength and beauty, as seen in the Song of Solomon, where the beloved's neck is compared to a tower: "Your neck is like the tower of David, built with rows of stones, on which hang a thousand shields, all of them shields of warriors" (Song of Solomon 4:4). This imagery highlights the elegance and dignity attributed to the neck.

Metaphorical Use:

1. Stiff-Necked:

The term "stiff-necked" is frequently used in the Bible to describe a stubborn or obstinate attitude, particularly in relation to the Israelites' resistance to God's commands. This metaphor suggests an unwillingness to bow or submit, akin to an animal that refuses to be guided by a yoke. In Exodus 32:9, God describes the Israelites as "a stiff-necked people" after they create and worship the golden calf: "The LORD also said to Moses, 'I have seen this people, and they are indeed a stiff-necked people'" . This characterization is repeated throughout the Old Testament, emphasizing the recurring theme of rebellion and the need for repentance.

2. Yoke and Submission:

The neck is also associated with the concept of a yoke, symbolizing submission and servitude. In biblical times, a yoke was placed on the necks of oxen to guide them in their work. This imagery is used to convey the idea of submission to God's will. In Matthew 11:29-30, Jesus invites believers to take His yoke upon them: "Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy, and My burden is light" . Here, the neck symbolizes a willing submission to Christ's guidance and teachings.

3. Deliverance and Protection:

The neck is also mentioned in contexts of deliverance and protection. In Psalm 18:40, David speaks of God's deliverance from his enemies: "You have made my enemies retreat before me; I put an end to those who hated me" . The imagery of the neck in such contexts underscores God's power to protect and deliver His people from oppression and danger.

Cultural and Historical Context:

In ancient Near Eastern culture, the neck was often adorned with jewelry, signifying status and beauty. This cultural practice is reflected in biblical texts, where necklaces and other adornments are mentioned as symbols of wealth and honor. For example, in Proverbs 1:9, wisdom and instruction are described as "a garland of grace for your head and a chain to adorn your neck" , illustrating the value and beauty of divine wisdom.

Overall, the concept of "necked" in the Bible encompasses both literal and metaphorical meanings, serving as a rich symbol of strength, submission, rebellion, and divine protection.1. (imp. & p. p.) of Neck.

2. (a.) Having (such) a neck; -- chiefly used in composition; as, stiff-necked.

3. (a.) Cracked; -- said of a treenail.

4644. sklerotrachelos -- stiff-necked
... stiff-necked. Part of Speech: Adjective Transliteration: sklerotrachelos Phonetic
Spelling: (sklay-rot-rakh'-ay-los) Short Definition: stubborn Definition: stiff ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4644.htm - 6k7186. qasheh -- hard, severe
... churlish, cruel, grievous, hard((-hearted), thing), heavy, + impudent, obstinate,
prevailed, rough(-ly), sore, sorrowful, stiff((necked)), stubborn, + in ...
/hebrew/7186.htm - 6k

6203. oreph -- back of the neck, neck
... 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). ...
/hebrew/6203.htm - 6k

7185. qashah -- to be hard, severe or fierce
... be cruel, be fiercer, make grievous, be ((ask a), be in, have, seem, would)
hard(-en, (labour), -ly, thing), be sore, (be, make) stiff(-en, (-necked)). ...
/hebrew/7185.htm - 6k

Stiff-Necked Idolaters and Pliable Christians
... STIFF-NECKED IDOLATERS AND PLIABLE CHRISTIANS. 'Hath a nation changed their
gods, which are yet no gods? but My people have changed ...
/.../stiff-necked idolaters and pliable christians.htm

Physical Characteristics.
... picture of his personal appearance is drawn by Cedrenus (p.472-3). "Constantinus
Magnus was of medium height, broad-shouldered, thick-necked, whence his ...
/.../pamphilius/the life of constantine/section 3 physical characteristics.htm

The Highway of Holiness
... To be broken means to be "not I, but Christ." There is in every one of us a proud,
stiff-necked "I." The stiff neck began in the Garden of Eden when Adam and ...
//christianbookshelf.org/hession/the calvary road/chapter 4 the highway of.htm

John Chapter i. 32, 33
... His are those burning words: "Ye stiff-necked and uncircumcised of heart and ears,
ye do always resist the Holy Spirit." Mighty impetuosity; but it is the dove ...
/.../augustine/homilies on the gospel of john/tractate vi john chapter i.htm

Ninth Sunday after Trinity Carnal Security and Its vices.
... Not by the merit of their devotion, as Moses often hinted, did the Jews become the
people of God; they were ever stiff-necked and continually rebelled against ...
/.../luther/epistle sermons vol iii/ninth sunday after trinity carnal.htm

Expositions of Holy Scripture
... THE SYMPATHY OF GOD. HOW TO MEET GOD. 'THE GOD OF THE AMEN'. STIFF-NECKED IDOLATERS
AND PLIABLE CHRISTIANS. FORSAKING JEHOVAH. A COLLOQUY BETWEEN A PENITENT AND ...
//christianbookshelf.org/maclaren/expositions of holy scripture h/

Evans -- the Fall and Recovery of Man
... Man is a hard-hearted and stiff-necked sinner; loving darkness rather than light,
because his deeds are evil; eating sin like bread, and drinking iniquity like ...
/.../kleiser/the worlds great sermons volume 3/evans the fall and.htm

Mercy's Master Motive
... The generation following were stiff-necked and rebellious like their fathers,
and they continually went astray after false gods. ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 18 1872/mercys master motive.htm

Miracles no Remedy for Unbelief.
... has been maintained. It has often been said, that they were stiff-necked
and hard-hearted beyond the rest of the world. Now, even ...
/.../newman/parochial and plain sermons vol viii/sermon vi miracles no remedy.htm

Sermon for the Fourth Sunday after Epiphany
... But this people was stiff-necked, heedless, and unthankful, and did not do as God
had commanded by the mouth of His servants, but was continually self-willed ...
/.../vii sermon for the fourth.htm

Necked (3 Occurrences)
... 1. (imp. & pp) of Neck. 2. (a.) Having (such) a neck; -- chiefly used in composition;
as, stiff-necked. ... Multi-Version Concordance Necked (3 Occurrences). ...
/n/necked.htm - 7k

Stiff-necked (18 Occurrences)
Stiff-necked. Stiffnecked, Stiff-necked. Stiffness . ... (a.) Stubborn; inflexibly
obstinate; contumacious; as, stiff-necked pride; a stiff-necked people. Int. ...
/s/stiff-necked.htm - 14k

Stiffnecked (9 Occurrences)
... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia STIFF-NECKED. ... If an ox was hard to control
or stubborn, it was "hard of neck," or stiff-necked. ...
/s/stiffnecked.htm - 11k

Obstinate (12 Occurrences)
... NAS NIV). Exodus 32:9 Yahweh said to Moses, "I have seen these people, and
behold, they are a stiff-necked people. (See NAS). Exodus ...
/o/obstinate.htm - 10k

Stiff (23 Occurrences)
... Deuteronomy 9:6 Know therefore, that Yahweh your God doesn't give you this good
land to possess it for your righteousness; for you are a stiff-necked people. ...
/s/stiff.htm - 14k

Stubborn (40 Occurrences)
... Deuteronomy 9:6 Know therefore, that Yahweh your God doesn't give you this good
land to possess it for your righteousness; for you are a stiff-necked people. ...
/s/stubborn.htm - 18k

Neck (97 Occurrences)
... Deuteronomy 9:6 Know therefore, that Yahweh your God doesn't give you this good
land to possess it for your righteousness; for you are a stiff-necked people. ...
/n/neck.htm - 45k

Consume (136 Occurrences)
... Exodus 33:3 to a land flowing with milk and honey: for I will not go up in the midst
of you, for you are a stiff-necked people, lest I consume you in the way ...
/c/consume.htm - 40k

Destroy (379 Occurrences)
... Exodus 33:3 Go up to that land flowing with milk and honey; but I will not go up
among you, for you are a stiff-necked people, for fear that I send destruction ...
/d/destroy.htm - 37k

Neck-irons (1 Occurrence)
Neck-irons. Necked, Neck-irons. Necklace . Multi-Version Concordance Neck-irons
(1 Occurrence). ... (See NIV). Necked, Neck-irons. Necklace . Reference Bible
/n/neck-irons.htm - 6k

What does the Bible say about being stiff-necked? | GotQuestions.org

What is unrepentance? What does it mean to be unrepentant? | GotQuestions.org

What does the Bible say about being stubborn / stubbornness? | GotQuestions.org

Necked: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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