Bible Strands
2 Kings 17:14
But they would not listen, and they stiffened their necks like their fathers, who did not believe the LORD their God.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — The narrator describes Israel and Judah’s response to the LORD’s repeated warnings delivered through prophets and seers to abandon wickedness and obey His commandments.
The words — The phrase “stiffened their necks” combines va/i.yak.Shu and 'a.re.Pa/m, literally translating “and they stiffened their neck,” denoting deliberate, unyielding resistance.
The thread — This motif of covenant defiance appears in Exodus 32:9, Deuteronomy 31:27, and Acts 7:51 as a consistent scriptural marker of persistent rebellion against divine authority.
Why it lands — The text requires acknowledgment that repeated rejection of prophetic warning solidifies unbelief and reproduces ancestral disobedience, leaving no room for self-justification.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
Notwithstanding they would not hear, but hardened their necks, like to the neck of their fathers, that did not believe in the Lord their God.
Cross-references
- Deuteronomy 31:27 For I know how rebellious and stiff-necked you are. If you are already rebelling against the LORD while I am still alive, how much more will you rebel after my death!
- Acts 7:51 You stiff-necked people with uncircumcised hearts and ears! You always resist the Holy Spirit, just as your fathers did.
- Exodus 32:9 The LORD also said to Moses, “I have seen this people, and they are indeed a stiff-necked people.
- Deuteronomy 1:32 But in spite of all this, you did not trust the LORD your God,
- 2 Chronicles 36:13 He also rebelled against King Nebuchadnezzar, who had made him swear by God. But Zedekiah stiffened his neck and hardened his heart against turning to the LORD, the God of Israel.
- Psalms 78:22 because they did not believe God or rely on His salvation.
- Psalms 78:32 In spite of all this, they kept on sinning; despite His wonderful works, they did not believe.
- Psalms 106:24 They despised the pleasant land; they did not believe His promise.
- Proverbs 29:1 A man who remains stiff-necked after much reproof will suddenly be shattered beyond recovery.
- Isaiah 48:4 For I knew that you are stubborn; your neck is iron and your forehead is bronze.