2 Chronicles 36:13

36:13 He also rebelled against King Nebuchadnezzar, who had made him vow allegiance ¹  in the name of God. He was stubborn and obstinate, and refused to return ²  to the Lord God of Israel.

Exodus 32:9

32:9 Then the Lord said to Moses: “I have seen this people. ³  Look ⁴  what a stiff-necked people they are! ⁵ 

Deuteronomy 10:16

10:16 Therefore, cleanse ⁶  your heart and stop being so stubborn! ⁷ 

Romans 10:21

10:21 But about Israel he says, “All day long I held out my hands to this disobedient and stubborn people!” ⁸ 

¹ tn Or “made him swear an oath.”

² tn Heb “and he stiffened his neck and strengthened his heart from returning.”

³ sn This is a bold anthropomorphism; it is as if God has now had a chance to get to know these people and has discovered how rebellious they are. The point of the figure is that there has been discernible evidence of their nature.

⁴ tn Heb “and behold” or “and look.” The expression directs attention in order to persuade the hearer.

⁵ sn B. Jacob says the image is that of the people walking before God, and when he called to them the directions, they would not bend their neck to listen; they were resolute in doing what they intended to do (Exodus, 943). The figure describes them as refusing to submit, but resisting in pride.

⁶ tn Heb “circumcise the foreskin of” (cf. KJV, ASV, NRSV). Reference to the Abrahamic covenant prompts Moses to recall the sign of that covenant, namely, physical circumcision (Gen 17:9-14). Just as that act signified total covenant obedience, so spiritual circumcision (cleansing of the heart) signifies more internally a commitment to be pliable and obedient to the will of God (cf. Deut 30:6; Jer 4:4; 9:26).

⁷ tn Heb “your neck do not harden again.” See note on the word “stubborn” in Deut 9:6.

⁸ sn A quotation from Isa 65:2.