What does עֹרֶף mean in the Bible?
עֹרֶף is a Hebrew word meaning "the nape or back of the neck (as declining ); hence, the back generally (whether literal or figurative)".
Hebrew · H6203
עֹרֶף
The nape or back of the neck (as declining ); hence, the back generally (whether literal or figurative)
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עֹרֶףH6203
What does עֹרֶף mean in the Bible?
עֹרֶף is a Hebrew word meaning "the nape or back of the neck (as declining ); hence, the back generally (whether literal or figurative)".
Full entry for עֹרֶף (H6203) · Open the biblical lexicon
Questions this entry answers
How does the BSB render H6203?
The BSB source-word alignment has 33 aligned rows for this entry. Common renderings include . . . (9), their necks (6), their backs (3), retreat (2), your necks (2).
Where does עֹרֶף appear in Scripture?
The source-word alignment first shows this entry at Genesis 49:8. Its strongest book concentrations include Jeremiah (7), Exodus (5), Deuteronomy (4), 2 Chronicles (3).
Source Word Evidence
BSB source-word alignment connects this entry to exact verse rows, English rendering, source form, transliteration, and parsing.
How English Renders It. . .9×Exodus 23:27, Exodus 32:9, Exodus 33:3, Exodus 33:5
their necks6×2 Kings 17:14, Nehemiah 9:17, Nehemiah 9:29, Jeremiah 7:26
their backs3×Joshua 7:12, Jeremiah 2:27, Jeremiah 32:33
retreat2×2 Samuel 22:41, Psalms 18:40
your necks2×Deuteronomy 10:16, 2 Chronicles 30:8
-1×Nehemiah 9:16
and stiff-necked you are1×Deuteronomy 31:27
by the neck1×Job 16:12
his back1×Jeremiah 48:39
his neck1×2 Chronicles 36:13
its back1×Joshua 7:8
My back1×Jeremiah 18:17
of its neck1×Leviticus 5:8
shall be on the necks1×Genesis 49:8
their backs on Him1×2 Chronicles 29:6
your neck1×Isaiah 48:4
Show sample aligned rows
Genesis 49:8בְּעֹ֣רֶףtoshall be on the necksPreposition-b | Noun - masculine singular constructExodus 23:27עֹֽרֶף׃to. . .Noun - masculine singularExodus 32:9עֹ֖רֶףto. . .Noun - masculine singularExodus 33:3עֹ֙רֶף֙to. . .Noun - masculine singularExodus 33:5עֹ֔רֶףto. . .Noun - masculine singularExodus 34:9עֹ֙רֶף֙to. . .Noun - masculine singularLeviticus 5:8עָרְפּ֖וֹtoof its neckNoun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singularDeuteronomy 9:6עֹ֖רֶףto. . .Noun - masculine singularDeuteronomy 9:13עֹ֖רֶףto. . .Noun - masculine singularDeuteronomy 10:16וְעָ֨רְפְּכֶ֔םtoyour necksConjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular construct | second person masculine plural
Usage map
A compact distribution from source-word alignment before the full evidence tables.
First aligned rowGenesis 49:8
Aligned rows33
Books represented14
Genesis1Exodus5Leviticus1Deuteronomy4Joshua22 Samuel12 Kings22 Chronicles3Nehemiah3Job1Psalms1Proverbs1Isaiah1Jeremiah7
Source forms
עֹ֖רֶף6x‘ō·rep̄Exodus 32:9, Deuteronomy 9:6, Deuteronomy 9:13, Joshua 7:8
עָרְפָּ֔ם5x‘ā·rə·pāmNehemiah 9:16, Nehemiah 9:17, Jeremiah 7:26, Jeremiah 17:23
עֹ֑רֶף3x‘ō·rep̄2 Samuel 22:41, Psalms 18:40, Proverbs 29:1
עֹ֙רֶף֙2x‘ō·rep̄Exodus 33:3, Exodus 34:9
עֹֽרֶף׃2x‘ō·rep̄Exodus 23:27, 2 Chronicles 29:6
בְּעֹ֣רֶף1xbə·‘ō·rep̄Genesis 49:8
בְּ֭עָרְפִּי1xbə·‘ā·rə·pîJob 16:12
וְעָ֨רְפְּכֶ֔ם1xwə·‘ā·rə·pə·ḵemDeuteronomy 10:16
Parsing patterns
Noun - masculine singular17xExodus 23:27, Exodus 32:9, Exodus 33:3, Exodus 33:5
Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine plural6x2 Kings 17:14, Nehemiah 9:16, Nehemiah 9:17, Jeremiah 7:26
Noun - masculine singular construct | second person masculine singular2xDeuteronomy 31:27, Isaiah 48:4
Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular2xLeviticus 5:8, 2 Chronicles 36:13
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular construct | second person masculine plural1xDeuteronomy 10:16
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine plural1xNehemiah 9:29
Noun - masculine singular construct | second person masculine plural1x2 Chronicles 30:8
Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct1xGenesis 49:8
Evidence Summary
Hebrew word. the nape or back of the neck (as declining ); hence, the back generally (whether literal or figurative)
Source Gloss
the nape or back of the neck (as declining ); hence, the back generally (whether literal or figurative)
Extended definitionSource: Open Scriptures Hebrew Lexicon + Brown-Driver-Briggs
the nape or back of the neck (as declining); hence, the back generally (whether literal or figurative) BDB: back of neck Usage: back ((stiff-) neck((-ed).
Grammatical Forms
How this word appears across different grammatical cases and numbers.
Word Origins
עֹרֶף is built from this root:
Part of These Phrases
Compound and idiomatic phrases that include this word. Follow a link to study the phrase and how its parts work together.