Stiff-necked
"Stiff-necked" is a biblical figure of speech for being stubborn, rebellious, and unwilling to submit to God. It often describes people who resist his word, correction, and covenant claims.
At a Glance
"Stiff-necked" is a biblical figure of speech for being stubborn, rebellious, and unwilling to submit to God. It often describes people who resist his word, correction, and covenant claims.
Description
"Stiff-necked" is a biblical metaphor for obstinate resistance to God. The image suggests a neck that will not bend under a yoke, and it points to a proud, unteachable, and rebellious disposition. In the Old Testament, the term is used repeatedly of Israel when the people refused to listen to the Lord, rejected correction, and persisted in covenant unfaithfulness. The description is moral and spiritual rather than merely temperamental: it highlights resistance to God’s authority, word, and appointed means of guidance. While the language often appears in contexts of judgment, it also serves as a warning that stubborn unbelief and refusal to repent are serious sins before God.