עֹ֖רֶף
𐤏𐤓𐤐
oref
neck
from עָרַף; the nape or back of the neck (as declining); hence, the back generally (whether literal or figurative); back ((stiff-) neck((-ed).
Deuteronomy 9:13 · Word #12
Lexicon H6203
| Lemma | עֹרֶף |
| Lemma (Paleo) | 𐤏𐤓𐤐 |
| Transliteration | ʻôreph |
| Strong's | H6203 |
| In-context | neck |
Morphology HNcmsa
All morphology codes
| Part of Speech | N — Noun — A person, place, thing, or idea |
| Subtype | c — Common — Common noun |
| Gender | m — Masculine — Masculine |
| Number | s — Singular — Singular |
| State | a — Absolute — The noun stands independently |
SIBI-P1 H6203-05
nape (turning-back)
| Root | ערף (ʿ-r-p) |
| Core Meanings | neck, nape, turning away, breaking the neck, stubbornness |
| Semantic Range | The back of the neck; the back in general; figuratively, stubbornness or resistance (as in "stiff neck"); the act of turning one’s back. |
| Conceptual Significance | In biblical thought, the "nape" symbolizes submission or resistance: to expose the neck can imply vulnerability, while to "harden the neck" signifies covenantal rebellion. Thus the term often conveys Israel’s posture toward יהוה—either yielding or obstinately turning away. |
| Morphological Notes | Common masculine singular noun in the absolute state (HNcmsa). No article or pronominal suffix in this form. |
| Rendering Rationale | The noun is masculine singular absolute, referring to the back of the neck. Rendering it "nape (turning-back)" preserves the concrete anatomical sense while reflecting the root idea of turning away or presenting the back, which underlies figurative uses such as stubbornness ("stiff neck"). |
AI-generated (openai/gpt-5.2-chat-latest)
Words from Root ערף (neck, nape, turning away, breaking the neck, stubbornness)
| SILEX Code | Transliteration | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
H6204-01 |
arepah | Nape (woman) |
H6203-01 |
arepam | their nape |
H6203-02 |
arepekha | your nape |
H6203-03 |
arepo | his nape |
H6205-01 |
baarafel | in the dense gloom |
H6203-04 |
keoref | like the nape-of |
H6202-01 |
vaarafeto | and you shall neck-break him |
H6202-02 |
vearefu | and they broke the neck |
H6201-01 |
yaarof | he will drip down |
Word Usage (33 occurrences of H6203)
| Location | Form | Transliteration | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| Genesis 49:8 | בְּ/עֹ֣רֶף | beoref | on the neck |
| Exodus 23:27 | עֹֽרֶף | oref | the back of the neck |
| Exodus 32:9 | עֹ֖רֶף | oref | necked |