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עֹרֶף

𐤏𐤓𐤐

ʻôreph

H6203 noun

SILEX Entry

Root ערף to break the neck, break off, sever

Definition

The back of the neck, or nape, as the anatomical part where the neck joins the shoulders. By extension, it is used figuratively to signify disobedience, stubbornness, or obstinacy—especially in reference to the refusal to submit or the turning away from guidance or instruction. In some contexts, 'oreph can refer generally to the back or rear aspect, but its primary sense refers specifically to the back of the neck. The figurative use is prominent in descriptions of rebelliousness against authority or divine instruction.

Semantic Range

nape, back of the neck (literal); back (occasionally more general); nape as locus of ritual action (e.g., breaking the neck in ritual); figurative stubbornness, obstinacy, refusal to submit, rebelliousness (as in 'stiff-necked')

Root / Etymology

From the root ערף, meaning 'to break the neck' or 'to break off.' The noun עֹרֶף is derived from this root and literally denotes the part of the body that can be 'broken' in certain ritual or legal contexts, i.e., the nape or back of the neck.

Historical & Contextual Notes

In the Hebrew Bible, עֹרֶף often appears in both literal and metaphorical contexts. Literally, it denotes the physical back of the neck, as in anatomical references or in cultic practice (Deuteronomy 21:4, the 'breaking of the neck' of a heifer). Figuratively, the term is a common metaphor for stubbornness or obstinacy, as in the phrase 'stiff-necked,' indicating refusal to bow or submit (e.g., Exodus 32:9; Deuteronomy 9:6). In such metaphorical uses, 'to stiffen the neck' means to refuse to yield or obey, epitomizing rebelliousness against divine or legitimate authority. This metaphor draws on the physical act of refusing to bow the neck. English translations often render these occurrences as 'stiff-necked' or 'obstinate,' but the original image is more physically evocative and directly connected to posture. The word's meaning remains stable from the early monarchic through exilic periods; however, the negative metaphorical sense intensifies in later prophetic and post-exilic literature. Unlike other words for 'back' (e.g., גַּו), עֹרֶף is specifically the back of the neck, not the back as a whole, and its metaphorical associations are distinct.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

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

Bantu Hebrew

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Root Family

ערף (ʿ-r-p̄) — break the neck, break off, sever

Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
H6183 עָרִיף in her dripping-skies
H6201 עָרַף they will break the neck
H6202 עָרַף neck-broken (feminine)
H6204 עׇרְפָּה Orpah
H6205 עֲרָפֶל dense gloom

Word Forms

10 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
H6203-08 עֹֽרֶף oref HNcmsa back nape 17
H6203-01 עָרְפָּ/ם֙ arepam HNcmsc/Sp3mp their neck their nape 6
H6203-04 עָרְפּ֖/וֹ arepo HNcmsc/Sp3ms his neck his nape 2
H6203-02 עָרְפְּ/ךָ֖ arepekha HNcmsc/Sp2ms your neck your nape 2
H6203-06 בְּ/עֹ֣רֶף beoref HR/Ncmsc on the neck in the nape of 1
H6203-07 כְּ/עֹ֣רֶף keoref HR/Ncmsc like the neck like the nape of 1
H6203-10 וְ/עָ֨רְפְּ/כֶ֔ם vearepekhem HC/Ncmsc/Sp2mp and your neck and your nape 1
H6203-09 וְ/עָרְפָּ֥/ם vearepam HC/Ncmsc/Sp3mp and-their-neck and their nape 1
H6203-03 עָרְפְּ/כֶ֖ם arepekhem HNcmsc/Sp2mp your neck your nape 1
H6203-05 בְּ֭/עָרְפִּ/י bearepi HR/Ncmsc/Sp1cs by my neck at my nape 1

Occurrences in Scripture

33 total occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
H6203-06 Genesis 49:8 בְּ/עֹ֣רֶף beoref HR/Ncmsc on the neck in the nape of
H6203-08 Exodus 23:27 עֹֽרֶף oref HNcmsa the back of the neck nape
H6203-08 Exodus 32:9 עֹ֖רֶף oref HNcmsa necked nape
H6203-08 Exodus 33:3 עֹ֨רֶף֙ oref HNcmsa stiff-necked nape
H6203-08 Exodus 33:5 עֹ֔רֶף oref HNcmsa necked nape
H6203-08 Exodus 34:9 עֹ֨רֶף֙ oref HNcmsa nape
H6203-04 Leviticus 5:8 עָרְפּ֖/וֹ arepo HNcmsc/Sp3ms its neck his nape
H6203-08 Deuteronomy 9:6 עֹ֖רֶף oref HNcmsa nape
H6203-08 Deuteronomy 9:13 עֹ֖רֶף oref HNcmsa neck nape
H6203-10 Deuteronomy 10:16 וְ/עָ֨רְפְּ/כֶ֔ם vearepekhem HC/Ncmsc/Sp2mp and your neck and your nape
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