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id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/nehemiah/9-15.htm" title="Nehemiah 9:15">◄</a> Nehemiah 9:16 <a href="/nehemiah/9-17.htm" title="Nehemiah 9:17">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Study Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Crossref </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Hebrew </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/nehemiah/9.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/nehemiah/9.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />&#8220But they, our ancestors, became arrogant and stiff-necked, and they did not obey your commands.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/nehemiah/9.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />“But our ancestors were proud and stubborn, and they paid no attention to your commands.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/nehemiah/9.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />“But they and our fathers acted presumptuously and stiffened their neck and did not obey your commandments.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/nehemiah/9.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />But they and our fathers became arrogant and stiff-necked and did not obey Your commandments.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/nehemiah/9.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />But they and our fathers dealt proudly, and hardened their necks, and hearkened not to thy commandments,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/nehemiah/9.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />“But they and our fathers acted proudly, Hardened their necks, And did not heed Your commandments.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/nehemiah/9.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />“But they, our fathers, acted arrogantly; They became stubborn and would not listen to Your commandments.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/nehemiah/9.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />&#8220But they, our fathers, acted arrogantly; They became stubborn and would not listen to Your commandments.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/nehemiah/9.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />“But they, our fathers, acted arrogantly; They became stubborn and would not listen to Thy commandments.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/nehemiah/9.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />“But they, our fathers, acted presumptuously; They became stiff-necked and would not listen to Your commandments.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/nehemiah/9.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />“But they, our fathers, acted arrogantly; They stiffened their necks and would not heed Your commandments.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/nehemiah/9.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />But our ancestors acted arrogantly; they became stiff-necked and did not listen to your commands.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/nehemiah/9.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />But our ancestors acted arrogantly; they became stiff-necked and did not listen to Your commands. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/nehemiah/9.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />But they and our fathers dealt proudly and hardened their neck, and hearkened not to thy commandments,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/nehemiah/9.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />Our stubborn ancestors refused to obey--they forgot about the miracles you had worked for them, and they were determined to return to Egypt and become slaves again. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/nehemiah/9.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />But they and our fathers dealt proudly, and hardened their neck, and hearkened not to thy commandments,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/nehemiah/9.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />But they-our own ancestors-acted arrogantly. They became stubborn and wouldn't obey your commands.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/nehemiah/9.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />But our ancestors grew proud and stubborn and refused to obey your commands. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/nehemiah/9.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />"But they—our ancestors—became arrogant and stubborn, refusing to listen to your commands.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/nehemiah/9.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />But they and our fathers became arrogant and stiff-necked and did not obey Your commandments.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/nehemiah/9.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />"But they--our ancestors--behaved presumptuously; they rebelled and did not obey your commandments.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/nehemiah/9.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />"But they and our fathers dealt proudly and hardened their neck, did not listen to your commandments,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/nehemiah/9.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />But they and our fathers dealt proudly, and hardened their necks, and hearkened not to thy commandments,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/nehemiah/9.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />“But they and our fathers behaved proudly, hardened their neck, didn’t listen to your commandments, <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/nehemiah/9.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />And they and our fathers have acted proudly, "" And harden their neck, "" And have not listened to Your commands,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/nehemiah/9.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> 'And they and our fathers have acted proudly, and harden their neck, and have not hearkened unto Thy commands,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/nehemiah/9.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And they and our fathers acted proudly, and they will harden their neck, and will not hear to thy commands,<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/nehemiah/9.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />But they and our fathers dealt proudly, and hardened their necks and hearkened not to thy commandments. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/nehemiah/9.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />Yet truly, they and our fathers acted arrogantly, and they hardened their necks, and they did not listen to your commandments.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/nehemiah/9.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />But they, our ancestors, proved to be insolent; they were obdurate and did not obey your commandments. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/nehemiah/9.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />“But they and our ancestors acted presumptuously and stiffened their necks and did not obey your commandments;<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/nehemiah/9.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />But they and their fathers dealt wickedly and were stubborn and did not give ear to thy commandments,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/nehemiah/9.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />But they and their fathers did evil and they hardened their necks, and they did not listen to your commandments.<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/nehemiah/9.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />But they and our fathers dealt proudly, and hardened their neck, and hearkened not to Thy commandments,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/nehemiah/9.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />But they and our fathers behaved proudly, and hardened their neck, and did not hearken to thy commandments,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/nehemiah/9-16.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ZsQrw7rBvgc?start=2458" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/nehemiah/9.htm">The People Confess Their Sins</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">15</span>In their hunger You gave them bread from heaven; in their thirst You brought them water from the rock. You told them to go in and possess the land which You had sworn to give them. <span class="reftext">16</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/1992.htm" title="1992: wə·hêm (Conj-w:: Pro-3mp) -- They. Or hemmah; masculine plural from halak; they.">But they</a> <a href="/hebrew/1.htm" title="1: wa·’ă·ḇō·ṯê·nū (Conj-w:: N-mpc:: 1cp) -- Father. A primitive word; father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application).">and our fathers</a> <a href="/hebrew/2102.htm" title="2102: hê·zî·ḏū (V-Hifil-Perf-3cp) -- Or ziyd; a primitive root; to seethe; figuratively, to be insolent.">became arrogant</a> <a href="/hebrew/7185.htm" title="7185: way·yaq·šū (Conj-w:: V-Hifil-ConsecImperf-3mp) -- To be hard, severe or fierce. A primitive root; properly, to be dense, i.e. Tough or severe.">and stiff-necked</a> <a href="/hebrew/853.htm" title="853: ’eṯ- (DirObjM) -- Apparent contracted from 'owth in the demonstrative sense of entity; properly, self."></a> <a href="/hebrew/6203.htm" title="6203: ‘ā·rə·pām (N-msc:: 3mp) -- Back of the neck, neck. From araph; the nape or back of the neck; hence, the back generally."></a> <a href="/hebrew/3808.htm" title="3808: wə·lō (Conj-w:: Adv-NegPrt) -- Not. Or lowi; or loh; a primitive particle; not; by implication, no; often used with other particles.">and did not</a> <a href="/hebrew/8085.htm" title="8085: šā·mə·‘ū (V-Qal-Perf-3cp) -- To hear. A primitive root; to hear intelligently.">obey</a> <a href="/hebrew/413.htm" title="413: ’el- (Prep) -- To, into, towards. "></a> <a href="/hebrew/4687.htm" title="4687: miṣ·wō·ṯe·ḵā (N-fpc:: 2ms) -- Commandment. From tsavah; a command, whether human or divine.">Your commandments.</a> </span><span class="reftext">17</span>They refused to listen and failed to remember the wonders You performed among them. They stiffened their necks and appointed a leader to return them to their bondage in Egypt. But You are a forgiving God, gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and rich in loving devotion, and You did not forsake them.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/exodus/32-9.htm">Exodus 32:9</a></span><br />The LORD also said to Moses, “I have seen this people, and they are indeed a stiff-necked people.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/deuteronomy/9-6.htm">Deuteronomy 9:6-7</a></span><br />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. / Remember this, and never forget how you provoked the LORD your God in the wilderness. From the day you left the land of Egypt until you reached this place, you have been rebelling against the LORD.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/78-8.htm">Psalm 78:8</a></span><br />Then they will not be like their fathers, a stubborn and rebellious generation, whose heart was not loyal, whose spirit was not faithful to God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/106-6.htm">Psalm 106:6-7</a></span><br />We have sinned like our fathers; we have done wrong and acted wickedly. / Our fathers in Egypt did not grasp Your wonders or remember Your abundant kindness; but they rebelled by the sea, there at the Red Sea.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/7-26.htm">Jeremiah 7:26</a></span><br />Yet they would not listen to Me or incline their ear, but they stiffened their necks and did more evil than their fathers.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ezekiel/20-8.htm">Ezekiel 20:8</a></span><br />But they rebelled against Me and refused to listen. None of them cast away the abominations before their eyes, and they did not forsake the idols of Egypt. So I resolved to pour out My wrath upon them and vent My anger against them in the land of Egypt.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/63-10.htm">Isaiah 63:10</a></span><br />But they rebelled and grieved His Holy Spirit. So He turned and became their enemy, and He Himself fought against them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_kings/17-14.htm">2 Kings 17:14</a></span><br />But they would not listen, and they stiffened their necks like their fathers, who did not believe the LORD their God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_chronicles/30-8.htm">2 Chronicles 30:8</a></span><br />Now do not stiffen your necks as your fathers did. Submit to the LORD and come to His sanctuary, which He has consecrated forever. Serve the LORD your God, so that His fierce anger will turn away from you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/hosea/4-16.htm">Hosea 4:16</a></span><br />For Israel is as obstinate as a stubborn heifer. Can the LORD now shepherd them like lambs in an open meadow?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/7-51.htm">Acts 7:51</a></span><br />You stiff-necked people with uncircumcised hearts and ears! You always resist the Holy Spirit, just as your fathers did.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/10-21.htm">Romans 10:21</a></span><br />But as for Israel he says: “All day long I have held out My hands to a disobedient and obstinate people.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/hebrews/3-7.htm">Hebrews 3:7-11</a></span><br />Therefore, as the Holy Spirit says: “Today, if you hear His voice, / do not harden your hearts, as you did in the rebellion, in the day of testing in the wilderness, / where your fathers tested and tried Me, and for forty years saw My works. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/23-37.htm">Matthew 23:37</a></span><br />O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, who kills the prophets and stones those sent to her, how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were unwilling!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/mark/7-9.htm">Mark 7:9</a></span><br />He went on to say, “You neatly set aside the command of God to maintain your own tradition.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">But they and our fathers dealt proudly, and hardened their necks, and listened not to your commandments,</p><p class="hdg">dealt.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/nehemiah/9-10.htm">Nehemiah 9:10,29</a></b></br> And shewedst signs and wonders upon Pharaoh, and on all his servants, and on all the people of his land: for thou knewest that they dealt proudly against them. So didst thou get thee a name, as <i>it is</i> this day… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/exodus/32-9.htm">Exodus 32:9</a></b></br> And the LORD said unto Moses, I have seen this people, and, behold, it <i>is</i> a stiffnecked people:</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/deuteronomy/9-6.htm">Deuteronomy 9:6,13,23,24,27</a></b></br> Understand therefore, that the LORD thy God giveth thee not this good land to possess it for thy righteousness; for thou <i>art</i> a stiffnecked people… </p><p class="hdg">hardened</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/deuteronomy/31-27.htm">Deuteronomy 31:27</a></b></br> For I know thy rebellion, and thy stiff neck: behold, while I am yet alive with you this day, ye have been rebellious against the LORD; and how much more after my death?</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/2_kings/17-14.htm">2 Kings 17:14</a></b></br> Notwithstanding they would not hear, but hardened their necks, like to the neck of their fathers, that did not believe in the LORD their God.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/2_chronicles/30-8.htm">2 Chronicles 30:8</a></b></br> Now be ye not stiffnecked, as your fathers <i>were, but</i> yield yourselves unto the LORD, and enter into his sanctuary, which he hath sanctified for ever: and serve the LORD your God, that the fierceness of his wrath may turn away from you.</p><p class="hdg">hearkened</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/exodus/15-26.htm">Exodus 15:26</a></b></br> And said, If thou wilt diligently hearken to the voice of the LORD thy God, and wilt do that which is right in his sight, and wilt give ear to his commandments, and keep all his statutes, I will put none of these diseases upon thee, which I have brought upon the Egyptians: for I <i>am</i> the LORD that healeth thee.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/deuteronomy/5-29.htm">Deuteronomy 5:29</a></b></br> O that there were such an heart in them, that they would fear me, and keep all my commandments always, that it might be well with them, and with their children for ever!</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/81-8.htm">Psalm 81:8,11-14</a></b></br> Hear, O my people, and I will testify unto thee: O Israel, if thou wilt hearken unto me; … </p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/nehemiah/9-10.htm">Acted</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/25-19.htm">Arrogant</a> <a href="/nehemiah/9-10.htm">Arrogantly</a> <a href="/nehemiah/8-13.htm">Attention</a> <a href="/nehemiah/9-14.htm">Commandments</a> <a href="/nehemiah/9-14.htm">Commands</a> <a href="/nehemiah/9-10.htm">Dealt</a> <a href="/nehemiah/9-9.htm">Fathers</a> <a href="/nehemiah/9-9.htm">Forefathers</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/30-8.htm">Harden</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/36-13.htm">Hardened</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/35-22.htm">Hearkened</a> <a href="/nehemiah/3-5.htm">Neck</a> <a href="/nehemiah/3-5.htm">Necks</a> <a href="/nehemiah/1-9.htm">Obey</a> <a href="/nehemiah/9-15.htm">Orders</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/18-22.htm">Presumptuously</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/32-26.htm">Pride</a> <a href="/nehemiah/9-10.htm">Proudly</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/31-27.htm">Stiff</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/36-13.htm">Stiffened</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/36-13.htm">Stiff-Necked</a> <a href="/2_kings/17-14.htm">Stubborn</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/nehemiah/9-33.htm">Acted</a> <a href="/psalms/5-5.htm">Arrogant</a> <a href="/job/15-25.htm">Arrogantly</a> <a href="/nehemiah/9-30.htm">Attention</a> <a href="/nehemiah/9-29.htm">Commandments</a> <a href="/nehemiah/10-32.htm">Commands</a> <a href="/nehemiah/9-29.htm">Dealt</a> <a href="/nehemiah/9-23.htm">Fathers</a> <a href="/nehemiah/9-36.htm">Forefathers</a> <a href="/job/6-10.htm">Harden</a> <a href="/nehemiah/9-17.htm">Hardened</a> <a href="/nehemiah/9-29.htm">Hearkened</a> <a href="/nehemiah/9-17.htm">Neck</a> <a href="/nehemiah/9-17.htm">Necks</a> <a href="/nehemiah/9-17.htm">Obey</a> <a href="/nehemiah/9-34.htm">Orders</a> <a href="/exodus/21-14.htm">Presumptuously</a> <a href="/job/8-11.htm">Pride</a> <a href="/nehemiah/9-29.htm">Proudly</a> <a href="/job/4-15.htm">Stiff</a> <a href="/jeremiah/7-26.htm">Stiffened</a> <a href="/psalms/78-8.htm">Stiff-Necked</a> <a href="/nehemiah/9-29.htm">Stubborn</a><div class="vheading2">Nehemiah 9</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/nehemiah/9-1.htm">A solemn fast, and repentance of the people</a></span><br><span class="reftext">4. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/nehemiah/9-4.htm">The Levites make a confession of God's goodness, and their wickedness</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <script type="text/javascript"> </script> <script type="text/javascript" src="//pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js"> </script><br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading"><a href="/study/nehemiah/9.htm">Berean Study Bible</a></div><b>But they and our fathers</b><br />This phrase sets the stage by identifying the subjects of the verse—"they" refers to the Israelites, and "our fathers" points to their ancestors. The Hebrew word for "fathers" is "אָבוֹת" (avot), which often signifies not just immediate parents but the patriarchs and previous generations. This acknowledgment of generational sin is a recurring theme in the Old Testament, emphasizing the continuity of disobedience and the need for repentance. Historically, this reflects the Israelites' repeated cycle of rebellion and return to God, as seen throughout the books of Judges and Kings.<p><b>became arrogant</b><br />The Hebrew root for "arrogant" is "זִיד" (zid), which conveys a sense of pride and presumption. This arrogance is not merely a personal failing but a spiritual one, as it represents a turning away from reliance on God. In the biblical context, arrogance often leads to downfall, as seen in the accounts of figures like Pharaoh in Exodus. The Israelites' arrogance is a reminder of the dangers of self-reliance and the importance of humility before God.<p><b>and stiff-necked</b><br />The term "stiff-necked" is translated from the Hebrew "קְשֵׁה־עֹרֶף" (qesheh-oref), literally meaning "hard of neck." This metaphor describes stubbornness and an unwillingness to submit to God's will, akin to an ox that refuses to be guided by the yoke. This imagery is powerful in the agrarian society of ancient Israel, where such behavior in animals would be seen as both frustrating and counterproductive. Scripturally, this term is used to describe the Israelites' resistance to God's guidance, as seen in <a href="/exodus/32-9.htm">Exodus 32:9</a> and <a href="/deuteronomy/9-6.htm">Deuteronomy 9:6</a>.<p><b>and did not obey</b><br />The Hebrew word for "obey" is "שָׁמַע" (shama), which means to hear or listen with the intent to act. In the biblical sense, obedience is not just about hearing God's commandments but responding to them with action. The failure to obey is a central theme in the narrative of Israel, highlighting the consequences of ignoring God's laws. This disobedience is often linked to the Israelites' suffering and exile, serving as a cautionary tale for future generations.<p><b>Your commandments</b><br />The term "commandments" comes from the Hebrew "מִצְוֹתֶיךָ" (mitzvot), referring to the laws and decrees given by God. These commandments are not arbitrary rules but are designed to guide the Israelites in living a life that is pleasing to God and beneficial to the community. The emphasis on "Your" underscores the divine origin of these laws, distinguishing them from human-made rules. In the broader biblical narrative, adherence to God's commandments is portrayed as the path to blessing and prosperity, while disobedience leads to judgment and hardship.<div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/nehemiah/9.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(16) <span class= "bld">Dealt proudly.</span>--Like the Egyptians themselves (<a href="/nehemiah/9-10.htm" title="And showed signs and wonders on Pharaoh, and on all his servants, and on all the people of his land: for you knew that they dealt proudly against them. So did you get you a name, as it is this day.">Nehemiah 9:10</a>). It is remarkable that the same word is used as in the Hebrew of <a href="/exodus/18-11.htm" title="Now I know that the LORD is greater than all gods: for in the thing wherein they dealt proudly he was above them.">Exodus 18:11</a> and <a href="/deuteronomy/1-43.htm" title="So I spoke to you; and you would not hear, but rebelled against the commandment of the LORD, and went presumptuously up into the hill.">Deuteronomy 1:43</a>.<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/nehemiah/9.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 16.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">They and our fathers</span>. Rather, "they, our fathers." The <span class="accented">vau</span> is used exegetically. <span class="cmt_word">Dealt proudly</span>. <span class="accented">i.e.</span> "acted insolently." Compare <a href="/deuteronomy/1-43.htm">Deuteronomy 1:43</a>, where the same verb is translated "<span class="accented">were</span> presumptuous" (<span class="accented">marg.</span>)<span class="accented">. <span class="cmt_word"></span>Hardened their necks</span>. So in <a href="/2_kings/17-14.htm">2 Kings 17:14</a>. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/nehemiah/9-16.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">But they</span><br /><span class="heb">וְהֵ֥ם</span> <span class="translit">(wə·hêm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Pronoun - third person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1992.htm">Strong's 1992: </a> </span><span class="str2">They</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and our fathers</span><br /><span class="heb">וַאֲבֹתֵ֖ינוּ</span> <span class="translit">(wa·’ă·ḇō·ṯê·nū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine plural construct | first person common plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1.htm">Strong's 1: </a> </span><span class="str2">Father</span><br /><br /><span class="word">became arrogant</span><br /><span class="heb">הֵזִ֑ידוּ</span> <span class="translit">(hê·zî·ḏū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Hifil - Perfect - third person common plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2102.htm">Strong's 2102: </a> </span><span class="str2">To boil up, seethe, act proudly or presumptuously or rebelliously</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and stiff-necked</span><br /><span class="heb">וַיַּקְשׁוּ֙</span> <span class="translit">(way·yaq·šū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7185.htm">Strong's 7185: </a> </span><span class="str2">To be hard, severe or fierce</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and did not</span><br /><span class="heb">וְלֹ֥א</span> <span class="translit">(wə·lō)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Adverb - Negative particle<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3808.htm">Strong's 3808: </a> </span><span class="str2">Not, no</span><br /><br /><span class="word">obey</span><br /><span class="heb">שָׁמְע֖וּ</span> <span class="translit">(šā·mə·‘ū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person common plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_8085.htm">Strong's 8085: </a> </span><span class="str2">To hear intelligently</span><br /><br /><span class="word">Your commandments.</span><br /><span class="heb">מִצְוֺתֶֽיךָ׃</span> <span class="translit">(miṣ·wō·ṯe·ḵā)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - feminine plural construct | second person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4687.htm">Strong's 4687: </a> </span><span class="str2">Commandment</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/nehemiah/9-16.htm">Nehemiah 9:16 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/nehemiah/9-16.htm">Nehemiah 9:16 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/nehemiah/9-16.htm">Nehemiah 9:16 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/nehemiah/9-16.htm">Nehemiah 9:16 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/nehemiah/9-16.htm">Nehemiah 9:16 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/nehemiah/9-16.htm">Nehemiah 9:16 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/nehemiah/9-16.htm">Nehemiah 9:16 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/nehemiah/9-16.htm">Nehemiah 9:16 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/nehemiah/9-16.htm">Nehemiah 9:16 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/nehemiah/9-16.htm">Nehemiah 9:16 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/nehemiah/9-16.htm">OT History: Nehemiah 9:16 But they and our fathers dealt proudly (Neh Ne) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/nehemiah/9-15.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Nehemiah 9:15"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Nehemiah 9:15" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/nehemiah/9-17.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Nehemiah 9:17"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Nehemiah 9:17" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>