עֹ֑רֶף — Proverbs 29:1 Hebrew Word Study

עֹ֑רֶף

𐤏𐤓𐤐

oref

[his] neck

from עָרַף; the nape or back of the neck (as declining); hence, the back generally (whether literal or figurative); back ((stiff-) neck((-ed).

H6203

Proverbs 29:1 · Word #4

Lexicon `H6203`

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

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)

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
Exodus 33:3	עֹ֨רֶף֙	oref	stiff-necked
Exodus 33:5	עֹ֔רֶף	oref	necked
Exodus 34:9	עֹ֨רֶף֙	oref
Leviticus 5:8	עָרְפּ֖/וֹ	arepo	its neck
Deuteronomy 9:6	עֹ֖רֶף	oref
Deuteronomy 9:13	עֹ֖רֶף	oref	neck
Deuteronomy 10:16	וְ/עָ֨רְפְּ/כֶ֔ם	vearepekhem	and your neck
Deuteronomy 31:27	עָרְפְּ/ךָ֖	arepekha	your neck
Joshua 7:8	עֹ֖רֶף	oref	back
Joshua 7:12	עֹ֗רֶף	oref	backs
2 Samuel 22:41	עֹ֑רֶף	oref	necks
2 Kings 17:14	עָרְפָּ/ם֙	arepam	their neck
2 Kings 17:14	כְּ/עֹ֣רֶף	keoref	like the neck
Isaiah 48:4	עָרְפֶּ֔/ךָ	arepekha	your neck
Jeremiah 2:27	עֹ֖רֶף	oref	back
Jeremiah 7:26	עָרְפָּ֔/ם	arepam	their-neck
Jeremiah 17:23	עָרְפָּ֔/ם	arepam	their neck
Jeremiah 18:17	עֹ֧רֶף	oref	back
Jeremiah 19:15	עָרְפָּ֔/ם	arepam	their neck
Jeremiah 32:33	עֹ֖רֶף	oref	back
Jeremiah 48:39	עֹ֥רֶף	oref	back
Psalms 18:41	עֹ֑רֶף	oref	back of the neck
Proverbs 29:1	עֹ֑רֶף	oref	[his] neck
Job 16:12	בְּ֭/עָרְפִּ/י	bearepi	by my neck
Nehemiah 9:16	עָרְפָּ֔/ם	arepam	their neck
Nehemiah 9:17	עָרְפָּ֔/ם	arepam	their neck
Nehemiah 9:29	וְ/עָרְפָּ֥/ם	vearepam	and-their-neck
2 Chronicles 29:6	עֹֽרֶף	oref	backs
2 Chronicles 30:8	עָרְפְּ/כֶ֖ם	arepekhem	your neck
2 Chronicles 36:13	עָרְפּ/וֹ֙	arepo	his neck