But they obeyed not, neither inclined their ear, but made their neck stiff, that they might not hear, nor receive instruction.
But they obeyed {H8085} not, neither inclined {H5186} their ear {H241}, but made their neck {H6203} stiff {H7185}, that they might not hear {H8085}, nor receive {H3947} instruction {H4148}.
but they neither listened nor paid attention; rather, they stiffened their necks, so that they wouldn't have to hear or receive instruction.
Yet they would not listen or incline their ear, but they stiffened their necks and would not listen or receive My discipline.
But they hearkened not, neither inclined their ear, but made their neck stiff, that they might not hear, and might not receive instruction.
-
Proverbs 29:1
¶ He, that being often reproved hardeneth [his] neck, shall suddenly be destroyed, and that without remedy. -
Jeremiah 11:10
They 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 19:15
Thus 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. -
Jeremiah 7:24
But they hearkened not, nor inclined their ear, but walked in the counsels [and] in the imagination of their evil heart, and went backward, and not forward. -
Jeremiah 7:26
Yet they hearkened not unto me, nor inclined their ear, but hardened their neck: they did worse than their fathers. -
Ezekiel 20:21
Notwithstanding 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 3:7
I 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.
Jeremiah 17:23 vividly describes the persistent disobedience and spiritual stubbornness of the people of Judah, specifically their historical pattern of rejecting God's warnings and instructions. It highlights a deliberate refusal to listen and learn, which was a constant source of frustration for the prophet Jeremiah.
Context
This verse is part of a larger section (Jeremiah 17:19-27) where the prophet Jeremiah delivers a specific message from the Lord concerning the sanctity of the Sabbath day. God promises blessings if Judah honors the Sabbath and curses if they profane it. However, verse 23 serves as a lament and a summary of the nation's consistent attitude throughout their history, not just concerning the Sabbath but all of God's commands. Despite repeated prophetic warnings and divine instruction, the people stubbornly refused to turn from their wicked ways. This pattern of disobedience was a central theme in Jeremiah's ministry, as he called Judah to repentance before the impending judgment of exile.
Key Themes
Linguistic Insights
The phrase "made their neck stiff" (or "stiff-necked") is a powerful and frequently used idiom in the Old Testament. It originates from the imagery of an ox refusing to submit to the yoke or a stubborn animal resisting its master's direction. Spiritually, it signifies an unyielding, obstinate, and rebellious attitude towards God's will and commands. It implies a deliberate defiance rather than a simple lapse or mistake. This concept is a recurring motif throughout the Old Testament, signifying obstinate rebellion against God's will.
Reflection and Application
Jeremiah 17:23 serves as a timeless warning about the dangers of spiritual stubbornness. For us today, it underscores the critical importance of cultivating a receptive heart and an open ear to God's Word. Just as the people of Judah faced severe consequences for their disobedience, our refusal to listen and obey God's instruction can lead to spiritual decline and missed blessings. This verse calls us to:
Ultimately, this verse reminds us that God desires a willing and obedient heart, and that persistent refusal to hear and receive His instruction inevitably leads to spiritual decline and, as seen in Judah's history, severe consequences like the Babylonian captivity.