Stiff-Necked
Culture & SocietyWhat is the meaning of Stiff-Necked in the Bible?
The phrase 'stiff-necked' serves as a metaphor for stubbornness and resistance to authority, originating from the difficulty of guiding an ox that refuses to turn its head. In biblical literature, it characterizes individuals or communities that reject divine instruction and persist in disobedience.
SIGNIFICANCE
Recognizing this idiom illuminates the biblical theme of covenantal fidelity, highlighting the spiritual danger of human pride and the necessity of humility in maintaining a relationship with God.
Bible Study Quick-Reference Guide
Ancient Cultural Lens: Avoid applying 21st-century Western assumptions to Stiff-Necked. Examine how first-century or Near Eastern listeners understood this practice within their daily social dynamics.
Bible Study Reflection Prompts:
- Why did the biblical author mention Stiff-Necked in this passage?
- What cultural or historical assumption does Stiff-Necked clarify?
Source Attribution
Built upon the 1915 International Standard Bible Encyclopedia and Easton's Bible Dictionary (1897). Entries have been modernized, checked for academic truthfulness, and shortened for clarity.
How to Cite This Entry
"Stiff-Necked." Ancient Context Dictionary. Accessed 2026. https://ancientcontext.com/context/stiffnecked/