Jeremiah 17:23
But they obeyed not, neither inclined their ear, but made their neck stiff, that they might not hear, nor receive instruction.
Original Language Analysis
וְלֹ֣א
H3808
וְלֹ֣א
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
1 of 14
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
שְׁו֔מֹעַ
But they obeyed
H8085
שְׁו֔מֹעַ
But they obeyed
Strong's:
H8085
Word #:
2 of 14
to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)
וְלֹ֥א
H3808
וְלֹ֥א
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
3 of 14
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
הִטּ֖וּ
not neither inclined
H5186
הִטּ֖וּ
not neither inclined
Strong's:
H5186
Word #:
4 of 14
to stretch or spread out; by implication, to bend away (including moral deflection); used in a great variety of application (as follows)
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
5 of 14
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
אָזְנָ֑ם
their ear
H241
אָזְנָ֑ם
their ear
Strong's:
H241
Word #:
6 of 14
broadness. i.e., (concrete) the ear (from its form in man)
וַיַּקְשׁוּ֙
stiff
H7185
וַיַּקְשׁוּ֙
stiff
Strong's:
H7185
Word #:
7 of 14
properly, to be dense, i.e., tough or severe (in various applications)
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
8 of 14
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
עָרְפָּ֔ם
but made their neck
H6203
עָרְפָּ֔ם
but made their neck
Strong's:
H6203
Word #:
9 of 14
the nape or back of the neck (as declining); hence, the back generally (whether literal or figurative)
לְבִלְתִּ֣י
H1115
לְבִלְתִּ֣י
Strong's:
H1115
Word #:
10 of 14
properly, a failure of, i.e., (used only as a negative particle, usually with a prepositional prefix) not, except, without, unless, besides, because n
שְׁו֔מֹעַ
But they obeyed
H8085
שְׁו֔מֹעַ
But they obeyed
Strong's:
H8085
Word #:
11 of 14
to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)
וּלְבִלְתִּ֖י
H1115
וּלְבִלְתִּ֖י
Strong's:
H1115
Word #:
12 of 14
properly, a failure of, i.e., (used only as a negative particle, usually with a prepositional prefix) not, except, without, unless, besides, because n
Cross References
Proverbs 29:1He, that being often reproved hardeneth his neck, shall suddenly be destroyed, and that without remedy.Jeremiah 11:10They are turned back to the iniquities of their forefathers, which refused to hear my words; and they went after other gods to serve them: the house of Israel and the house of Judah have broken my covenant which I made with their fathers.Jeremiah 19:15Thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; Behold, I will bring upon this city and upon all her towns all the evil that I have pronounced against it, because they have hardened their necks, that they might not hear my words.Isaiah 48:4Because I knew that thou art obstinate, and thy neck is an iron sinew, and thy brow brass;Acts 7:51Ye stiffnecked and uncircumcised in heart and ears, ye do always resist the Holy Ghost: as your fathers did, so do ye.Jeremiah 32:33And they have turned unto me the back, and not the face: though I taught them, rising up early and teaching them, yet they have not hearkened to receive instruction.Ezekiel 20:21Notwithstanding the children rebelled against me: they walked not in my statutes, neither kept my judgments to do them, which if a man do, he shall even live in them; they polluted my sabbaths: then I said, I would pour out my fury upon them, to accomplish my anger against them in the wilderness.Zephaniah 3:7I said, Surely thou wilt fear me, thou wilt receive instruction; so their dwelling should not be cut off, howsoever I punished them: but they rose early, and corrupted all their doings.
Historical Context
Israel's pattern of disobedience stretches from the exodus wilderness rebellion through the judges period and divided monarchy. Despite repeated warnings, reformations, and divine patience, the people persistently violated covenant stipulations. This chronic rebellion culminated in exile—the ultimate covenant curse. Deuteronomy 28-30 predicted precisely this pattern of disobedience leading to exile, which Jeremiah witnessed being fulfilled.
Questions for Reflection
- In what areas are you tempted to stiffen your neck against God's clear instruction?
- How does deliberate refusal to hear God's word differ from genuine struggle to understand or obey?
- What evidences of a softened heart versus a stiff neck do you see in your life?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
This verse chronicles Israel's historical rebellion: "But they obeyed not, neither inclined their ear." The phrase "inclined their ear" is a Hebrew idiom for attentive listening with intent to obey. The absence of both obedience and attentive listening indicates total rejection of God's word. "Made their neck stiff" (hiqshu et-arfam, הִקְשׁוּ אֶת-עָרְפָּם) employs livestock imagery—like a stubborn ox that refuses to bear the yoke (cf. Ex 32:9, Deut 9:6, 31:27).
"That they might not hear, nor receive instruction" reveals the deliberate, willful nature of rebellion. This wasn't innocent ignorance but active resistance to divine truth. The Hebrew musar (מוּסָר, instruction/discipline) includes both teaching and corrective discipline. Refusing instruction demonstrates the hardness of heart that provokes God's judgment.
This verse illustrates the Reformed doctrine of human depravity—the natural state of rebellion against God (Rom 1:28, 8:7). The stiff neck metaphor appears throughout Scripture as characteristic of unrepentant sinners (Acts 7:51). Only divine grace can soften hard hearts and grant repentance (Ezek 36:26, Acts 11:18). Christ came to call sinners to repentance (Luke 5:32), offering the new covenant that transforms stubborn rebels into willing servants.