Neck

Neck in Scripture is used figuratively in several significant ways. Submission was symbolized by placing one's foot on an enemy's neck, as Joshua had the Israelite commanders do to the five Amorite kings (Josh. 10:24). Servitude and oppression are described as an iron yoke on the neck (Deut. 28:48). Prophetic freedom from oppression is the "yoke... broken because of the anointing" (Isa. 10:27). Putting one's neck at risk is the idiom used by Paul to commend Priscilla and Aquila, who "risked their necks" for his life (Rom. 16:4). The stiff neck — Hebrew qesheh-oref — became the standard biblical expression for stubborn resistance to God's commands (Ex. 32:9; Deut. 9:13; Acts 7:51).