Bible Strands
Zechariah 7:11
But they refused to pay attention and turned a stubborn shoulder; they stopped up their ears from hearing.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — The prophet Zechariah addresses the returned exiles, recounting how their ancestors responded to God’s commands delivered through earlier prophets.
The words — וַ/יְמָאֲנ֣וּ (va/y.ma.'a.Nu) = they refused [H3985]; כָתֵ֖ף סֹרָ֑רֶת (kha.Tef so.Ra.ret) = a stubborn shoulder [H3802/H5637].
The thread — This pattern of deliberate refusal appears in Nehemiah 9:29, Jeremiah 8:5, and Hosea 4:16, where stubbornness toward divine instruction is consistently condemned.
Why it lands — The text reports that the people actively ignored commands and blocked auditory reception, requiring the reader to recognize that spiritual hardening begins with a conscious choice to disregard what has been clearly communicated.
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
But they refused to hearken, and pulled away the shoulder, and stopped their ears, that they should not hear.
Cross-references
- Nehemiah 9:29 You admonished them to turn back to Your law, but they were arrogant and disobeyed Your commandments. They sinned against Your ordinances, by which a man will live if he practices them. They turned a stubborn shoulder; they stiffened their necks and would not obey.
- Jeremiah 8:5 Why then have these people turned away? Why does Jerusalem always turn away? They cling to deceit; they refuse to return.
- Hosea 4:16 For Israel is as obstinate as a stubborn heifer. Can the LORD now shepherd them like lambs in an open meadow?
- Jeremiah 35:15 Again and again I have sent you all My servants the prophets, proclaiming: ‘Turn now, each of you, from your wicked ways, and correct your actions. Do not go after other gods to serve them. Live in the land that I have given to you and your fathers.’ But you have not inclined your ear or listened to Me.
- Ezekiel 3:7 But the house of Israel will be unwilling to listen to you, since they are unwilling to listen to Me. For the whole house of Israel is hard-headed and hard-hearted.
- Zechariah 1:4 Do not be like your fathers, to whom the former prophets proclaimed that this is what the LORD of Hosts says: ‘Turn now from your evil ways and deeds.’ But they did not listen or pay attention to Me, declares the LORD.
- Acts 7:57 At this they covered their ears, cried out in a loud voice, and rushed together at him.
- Exodus 10:3 So Moses and Aaron went to Pharaoh and told him, “This is what the LORD, the God of the Hebrews, says: ‘How long will you refuse to humble yourself before Me? Let My people go, so that they may worship Me.
- 2 Kings 17:13 Yet through all His prophets and seers, the LORD warned Israel and Judah, saying, “Turn from your wicked ways and keep My commandments and statutes, according to the entire Law that I commanded your fathers and delivered to you through My servants the prophets.”
- 2 Chronicles 33:10 And the LORD spoke to Manasseh and his people, but they did not listen.