Jump to: ATS • ISBE • Easton's • Webster's • Concordance • Thesaurus • Greek • Hebrew • Library • Subtopics • Terms Topical Encyclopedia The term "neck" in the Bible is often used both literally and metaphorically, symbolizing strength, submission, pride, or stubbornness. The neck is a significant part of the human body, connecting the head to the torso, and its representation in Scripture carries various connotations depending on the context.Literal Usage: In its literal sense, the neck is mentioned in various contexts, often highlighting its vulnerability or strength. For instance, in Genesis 27:16, Rebekah places the skins of young goats on Jacob's neck to deceive Isaac into thinking he is Esau. This passage underscores the neck's role in identity and recognition. The neck is also associated with adornment and beauty. In Song of Solomon 4:9, the beloved's neck is compared to a tower, symbolizing grace and elegance: "You have captured my heart, my sister, my bride; you have captured my heart with one glance of your eyes, with one jewel of your necklace." Metaphorical Usage: 1. Submission and Servitude: The neck is often used metaphorically to represent submission or servitude. In Deuteronomy 28:48, the Israelites are warned that if they disobey God, they will serve their enemies, who will place an iron yoke on their necks: "Therefore you will serve your enemies the LORD sends against you in famine, thirst, nakedness, and destitution. He will place an iron yoke on your neck until He has destroyed you." 2. Stubbornness and Pride: Conversely, a "stiff neck" symbolizes stubbornness and pride. This metaphor is frequently used to describe the Israelites' rebellion against God. In Exodus 32:9, the LORD says to Moses, "I have seen this people, and they are indeed a stiff-necked people." This imagery conveys the idea of resistance to divine guidance and correction. 3. Strength and Protection: The neck can also symbolize strength and protection. In Job 41:22, describing the formidable Leviathan, it is said, "Strength resides in his neck, and dismay leaps before him." Here, the neck is a symbol of power and invincibility. 4. Punishment and Judgment: The neck is sometimes associated with punishment and judgment. In Jeremiah 27:2, the prophet is instructed to make a yoke and put it on his neck as a sign of the impending Babylonian captivity: "This is what the LORD said to me: 'Make for yourself a yoke out of leather straps and put it on your neck.'" Cultural and Theological Significance: In biblical times, the neck was often adorned with jewelry, indicating wealth and status. Necklaces and chains were common gifts and symbols of favor, as seen in Genesis 41:42 when Pharaoh places a gold chain around Joseph's neck. Theologically, the neck's representation as a site of submission or rebellion serves as a powerful reminder of the human tendency to resist divine authority. The imagery of a "stiff neck" calls believers to humility and obedience, urging them to yield to God's will rather than their own stubborn inclinations. Overall, the neck in biblical literature serves as a multifaceted symbol, reflecting the complexities of human nature and the relationship between God and His people. ATS Bible Dictionary NeckThe phrases to "harden the neck," Proverbs 29:1, and to be "stiff- necked," like a headstrong brute, illustrate the willful obstinacy of sinners against the instructions and commands of God. The tyrants of ancient days sometimes put their feet on the prostrate necks of princes, in token of their subjugation, trampling them in the dust. Their mischief sometimes returned upon their own heads, Joshua 10:24; Psalm 18:40. Easton's Bible Dictionary Used sometimes figuratively. To "lay down the neck" (Romans 16:4) is to hazard one's life. Threatenings of coming judgments are represented by the prophets by their laying bands upon the people's necks (Deuteronomy 28:48; Isaiah 10:27; Jeremiah 27:2). Conquerors put their feet on the necks of their enemies as a sign of their subjection (Joshua 10:24; 2 Samuel 22:41). Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary 1. (n.) The part of an animal which connects the head and the trunk, and which, in man and many other animals, is more slender than the trunk.2. (n.) Any part of an inanimate object corresponding to or resembling the neck of an animal 3. (n.) The long slender part of a vessel, as a retort, or of a fruit, as a gourd. 4. (n.) A long narrow tract of land projecting from the main body, or a narrow tract connecting two larger tracts. 5. (n.) That part of a violin, guitar, or similar instrument, which extends from the head to the body, and on which is the finger board or fret board. 6. (n.) A reduction in size near the end of an object, formed by a groove around it; as, a neck forming the journal of a shaft. 7. (n.) the point where the base of the stem of a plant arises from the root. 8. (v. t.) To reduce the diameter of (an object) near its end, by making a groove around it; -- used with down; as, to neck down a shaft. 9. (v. t. & i.) To kiss and caress amorously. International Standard Bible Encyclopedia NECKnek (tsawwar, tsawwa'r, tsawwaron, tsawwa'rah, Aramaic tsawwar (Daniel 5:7, 16, 29), `oreph, miphreqeth (1 Samuel 4:18); nostos, "back" (Baruch 2:33); occasionally the words garon (Isaiah 3:16 Ezekiel 16:11), and gargeroth, plural of gargarah, literally, "throat" (Proverbs 1:9; Proverbs 3:3, 12; 6:21), are translated "neck"): The neck is compared with a tower for beauty (Songs 4:4; Songs 7:4) and is decorated with necklaces and chains (Proverbs 1:9; Proverbs 3:3, 12; 6:21, Hebrew gargeroth; Ezekiel 16:11, Hebrew garon, "throat"; Daniel 5:7, 16, 29, Hebrew tsawwar). It is also the part of the body where the yoke, emblem of labor and hardship, dependence and subjection, is borne (Deuteronomy 28:48 Jeremiah 27:8, 11, 12; Jeremiah 28:14 Acts 15:10). "To shake off the yoke," "to break the yoke," or "to take it off" is expressive of the regaining of independence and liberty, either by one's own endeavors or through help from outside (Genesis 27:40 Isaiah 10:27 Jeremiah 28:11; Jeremiah 30:8). Certain animals which were not allowed as food (like the firstborn which were not redeemed) were to be killed by having their necks (`oreph) broken (Exodus 13:13; Exodus 34:20); the turtle-doves and young pigeons, which were sacrificed as sin offerings or as burnt offerings, had their heads wrung or pinched off from their necks (Leviticus 5:8). In 1 Samuel 4:18 the Hebrew word miphreqeth signifies a fracture of the upper part of the spinal column caused by a fall. Greek 5137. trachelos -- the neck ... the neck. Part of Speech: Noun, Masculine Transliteration: trachelos Phonetic Spelling: (trakh'-ay-los) Short Definition: the neck Definition: the neck. ... //strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5137.htm - 6k 5136. trachelizo -- to take by the throat, to overthrow 2218. zugos -- a yoke 2744. kauchaomai -- to boast Strong's Hebrew 6202. araph -- to break the neck... 6201, 6202. araph. 6203 . to break the neck. Transliteration: araph Phonetic Spelling: (aw-raf') Short Definition: neck. Word Origin ... /hebrew/6202.htm - 6k 6677. tsavvar -- neck, back of neck 6203. oreph -- back of the neck, neck 4665. miphreqeth -- neck 6676. tsavvar -- neck 1621. gargeroth -- neck 1627. garon -- neck, throat 7242. rabid -- a chain (ornament for the neck) 6060. anaq -- a necklace, neck pendant 6062. Anaq -- "neck," a giant people around Hebron and in ... Library The Swan-Neck Thy Neck is as a Tower of ivory; Thine Eyes Like the Fish-Pools in ... Thy Neck is Like the Tower of David, Builded with Bulwarks; a ... Martin Offers his Neck to an Assassin. Whether it is Unlawful to Wear Divine Words at the Neck? Thy Cheeks are Comely as a Turtle Dove's; Thy Neck as Jewels. Thou Hast Wounded My Heart, My Sister Spouse; Thou Hast Wounded My ... The Interpretation of that Passage of the Canticles. Chapter iv. The Last King of Judah Thesaurus Neck (97 Occurrences)... To "lay down the neck" (Romans 16:4) is to hazard one's life. ... 2. (n.) Any part of an inanimate object corresponding to or resembling the neck of an animal. ... /n/neck.htm - 45k Neck-ornaments (2 Occurrences) Neck-chain (1 Occurrence) Neck-irons (1 Occurrence) Necklace (9 Occurrences) Stiff-necked (18 Occurrences) Collar (6 Occurrences) Chain (21 Occurrences) Stiff (23 Occurrences) Wept (78 Occurrences) Resources Why do Muslim women have to wear a hijab? | GotQuestions.orgWho was Esau in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org Who was King Zedekiah in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org Neck: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Concordance Neck (97 Occurrences)Matthew 18:6 Matthew 21:2 Mark 9:42 Mark 11:2 Luke 15:20 Luke 17:2 Acts 15:10 Acts 20:37 Romans 8:19 Romans 16:4 Genesis 27:16 Genesis 27:40 Genesis 33:4 Genesis 41:42 Genesis 45:14 Genesis 46:29 Genesis 49:8 Exodus 13:13 Exodus 23:27 Exodus 34:20 Leviticus 5:8 Deuteronomy 9:6 Deuteronomy 9:13 Deuteronomy 10:16 Deuteronomy 21:4 Deuteronomy 21:6 Deuteronomy 28:48 Deuteronomy 31:27 Joshua 7:8 Joshua 7:12 Judges 5:30 Judges 8:26 1 Samuel 4:18 2 Samuel 22:41 2 Kings 17:14 2 Chronicles 3:16 2 Chronicles 29:6 2 Chronicles 30:8 2 Chronicles 36:13 Nehemiah 3:5 Nehemiah 9:16 Nehemiah 9:17 Nehemiah 9:29 Job 15:26 Job 16:12 Job 30:18 Job 39:19 Job 41:22 Psalms 18:40 Psalms 69:1 Psalms 73:6 Psalms 75:5 Psalms 105:18 Proverbs 1:9 Proverbs 3:3 Proverbs 3:22 Proverbs 6:21 Proverbs 29:1 Song of Songs 1:10 Song of Songs 4:4 Song of Songs 4:9 Song of Songs 7:4 Isaiah 3:16 Isaiah 8:8 Isaiah 9:4 Isaiah 10:27 Isaiah 30:28 Isaiah 48:4 Isaiah 52:2 Isaiah 66:3 Jeremiah 7:26 Jeremiah 17:23 Jeremiah 18:17 Jeremiah 19:15 Jeremiah 27:2 Jeremiah 27:3 Jeremiah 27:8 Jeremiah 27:11 Jeremiah 27:12 Jeremiah 28:10 Jeremiah 28:11 Jeremiah 28:12 Jeremiah 28:14 Jeremiah 30:8 Jeremiah 32:33 Jeremiah 48:39 Lamentations 1:14 Lamentations 5:5 Ezekiel 16:11 Daniel 5:7 Daniel 5:16 Daniel 5:29 Hosea 10:11 Hosea 11:4 Jonah 2:5 Nahum 1:13 Habakkuk 3:13 Subtopics Related Terms |