The term "stiffens" in the biblical context often refers to the hardening of one's heart or the refusal to heed divine instruction. This concept is frequently associated with rebellion against God and a resistance to His will. The act of stiffening one's neck or heart is symbolic of obstinacy and pride, which are condemned throughout Scripture.

Old Testament Context

In the Old Testament, the imagery of stiffening one's neck is used to describe the Israelites' frequent 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 description is reiterated in Deuteronomy 9:6 , where Moses reminds the Israelites, "Understand, then, that it is not because of your righteousness that the LORD your God is giving you this good land to possess, for you are a stiff-necked people."

The concept of stiffening is also evident in the narrative of Pharaoh during the Exodus. Despite witnessing numerous signs and wonders, Pharaoh's heart was hardened, and he refused to let the Israelites go. Exodus 7:13 states, "Still, Pharaoh’s heart was hardened, and he would not listen to them, just as the LORD had said."

Prophetic Warnings

The prophets frequently warned against the stiffening of hearts as a barrier to repentance and restoration. In Jeremiah 7:26 , God laments, "Yet they would not listen to Me or incline their ear, but they stiffened their necks and did more evil than their fathers." This resistance to divine instruction is portrayed as a significant factor leading to judgment and exile.

Ezekiel also addresses this issue, describing the Israelites as "a rebellious house" (Ezekiel 2:5) and emphasizing their stubbornness. The prophet's role was to speak God's truth to a people who had hardened their hearts against Him.

New Testament Application

In the New Testament, the theme of stiffening is less about physical rebellion and more about spiritual resistance. Stephen, in his speech before the Sanhedrin, accuses the Jewish leaders of being "stiff-necked" and resisting the Holy Spirit (Acts 7:51). This accusation highlights the continuity of this rebellious spirit from the Old Testament to the New Testament era.

The Apostle Paul also warns against hardening one's heart in response to God's voice. In Hebrews 3:15 , he exhorts believers, "As it has been said: 'Today, if you hear His voice, do not harden your hearts as you did in the rebellion.'"

Spiritual Implications

The act of stiffening one's heart or neck is a metaphor for spiritual insensitivity and pride. It signifies a refusal to submit to God's authority and a rejection of His guidance. This condition is dangerous because it prevents individuals from experiencing the fullness of God's grace and mercy.

The Bible consistently calls for a softening of the heart, urging believers to remain open and responsive to God's leading. In Ezekiel 36:26 , God promises, "I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will remove your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh." This transformation is essential for a genuine relationship with God and a life that reflects His will.3583. xeraino -- to dry up, waste away
... Word Origin from xeros Definition to dry up, waste away NASB Word Usage dried (2),
dries (1), ripe (1), stiffens (1), wither (1), withered (4), withered away (3 ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3583.htm - 6k

When a Man is Asked to Write Down what He Really Thinks on ...
... When a man is asked to write down what he really thinks on education, a certain
gravity grips and stiffens his soul, which might be mistaken by the superficial ...
/.../chesterton/whats wrong with the world/chapter 31 when a man.htm

Dissolving views.
... Prayer wonderfully clears the vision; steadies the nerves; defines duty;
stiffens the purpose; sweetens and strengthens the spirit. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/gordon/quiet talks on prayer/dissolving views.htm

May the Tenth God's Use of Men
... He pours His strength into a worm, and it becomes "an instrument with teeth."
He stiffens a frail reed and it becomes as an iron pillar. ...
/.../jowett/my daily meditation for the circling year/may the tenth gods use.htm

Jeremiah's Roll Burned and Reproduced
... Is it not kind to wake, even violently, a traveller who has fallen asleep
on the snow, before drowsiness stiffens into death? III. ...
/.../expositions of holy scripture h/jeremiahs roll burned and reproduced.htm

God's Inheritance and Ours
... He that would coerce my will, stiffens it into rebellion; but when a beloved one
says, 'Though I might be much bold to enjoin thee, yet for love's sake I ...
/.../expositions of holy scripture ephesians peter/gods inheritance and ours.htm

On the Life and Poetic Genius of Edward Young.
... Iago, after his detection, sinks into obstinate silence; he stiffens into
the statue of a demon. Zanga dies, using lofty imagery. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/young/youngs night thoughts/on the life and poetic.htm

Lessons for Worship and for Work
... Nothing hardens hearts, stiffens wills, and sears consciences so much as to be brought
to the point of melting, and then to cool down into the old shape. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture g/lessons for worship and for.htm

Resurgam
... The very flesh and blood that is buried, the very eyes that are closed in death,
the very hand which stiffens by my corpse, these very members shall live again ...
//christianbookshelf.org/spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 6 1860/resurgam.htm

A Kingdom's Epitaph
... more obstinate. Like some perverse ox in the yoke, he stiffens his neck,
and stands the very picture of brute obduracy. There is ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture g/a kingdoms epitaph.htm

The Call of Matthew
... Jesus here speaks as all the prophets had spoken, and smites with a deadly stroke
the mechanical formalism which in every age stiffens religion into ceremonies ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture b/the call of matthew.htm

Stiffens (2 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Stiffens (2 Occurrences). ... Proverbs 29:1 He who is often
rebuked and stiffens his neck will be destroyed suddenly, with no remedy. ...
/s/stiffens.htm - 6k

Stiffened (7 Occurrences)

/s/stiffened.htm - 8k

Remedy (6 Occurrences)
... (WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS NIV). Proverbs 29:1 He who is often rebuked and stiffens
his neck will be destroyed suddenly, with no remedy. ...
/r/remedy.htm - 8k

Stiffhearted (1 Occurrence)

/s/stiffhearted.htm - 6k

Rebuked (39 Occurrences)
... (WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT). Proverbs 29:1 He who is often rebuked and stiffens
his neck will be destroyed suddenly, with no remedy. (WEB). ...
/r/rebuked.htm - 17k

Often (74 Occurrences)
... (YLT). Proverbs 29:1 He who is often rebuked and stiffens his neck will be destroyed
suddenly, with no remedy. (WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT RSV). ...
/o/often.htm - 29k

Suddenly (87 Occurrences)
... (WEB NIV). Proverbs 29:1 He who is often rebuked and stiffens his neck will be
destroyed suddenly, with no remedy. (WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV) ...
/s/suddenly.htm - 32k

Neck (97 Occurrences)
... (WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV). Proverbs 29:1 He who is often rebuked
and stiffens his neck will be destroyed suddenly, with no remedy. ...
/n/neck.htm - 45k

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