Proverbs 29:1

The one who stiffens his neck ¹  after numerous rebukes ²  will suddenly be destroyed ³  without remedy. ⁴ 

1Sa 2:25,34; 1Ki 17:1; 1Ki 18:18; 1Ki 20:42; 1Ki 21:20-23; 1Ki 22:20-23,28,34-37; 2Ch 25:16; 2Ch 33:10; 2Ch 36:13; 2Ch 36:15-17; Ne 9:29; Pr 1:24-31; Pr 6:15; Pr 28:18; Isa 30:13,14; Isa 48:4; Jer 17:23; Jer 25:3-5; Jer 26:3-5; Jer 35:13-16; Zec 1:3-6; Zec 7:11-14; Mt 26:21-25; Joh 6:70,71; Joh 13:10,11,18,26; Ac 1:18,25; 1Th 5:3

¹ tn The idiom “to harden the neck” (מַקְשֶׁה־עֹרֶף, maqsheh-’oref) is the idea of resisting the rebukes and persisting in obstinacy (e.g., Exod 32:9). The opposite of a “stiff neck” would be the bending back, i.e., submission.

² tn The Hebrew construction is אִישׁ תּוֹכָחוֹת (’ish tokhakhot, “a man of rebukes”), meaning “a man who has (or receives) many rebukes.” This describes a person who is deserving of punishment and who has been given many warnings. The text says, then, “a man of rebukes hardening himself.”

³ sn The stubborn person refuses to listen; he will suddenly be destroyed when the calamity strikes (e.g., Prov 6:15; 13:18; 15:10).

⁴ tn Or “healing” (NRSV).