"The quality of being hard rather than soft, stiff instead of pliable, is hardly mentioned at all int he Bible as a physical property. Instead it is a psychological, moral and spiritual quality that covers a range of attitudes, including refusal to listen, inability to understand, irrationality and rebellious disobedience. The part of the body that most often gets metaphorically hardened is the heart ; the image of being "stiff-necked" is a variant."
Conclusion: "Softness or pliability toward God means to be enlightened by God's truth, obedient to God's commands and compliant with God's will."
Dictionary of Biblical Imagery. pg. 364.
Scriptural references:
- Pharaoh and the Egyptians (Exodus), classic example
- Joshuah 11:20, achieving His purpose by the action of evil people (also Romans 9:7)
- Rebellion. Psalm 95:8, Exodus 17:1-7, Number 14:22, Hebrews 3:8, 15
- Refusing to listen, not hearing the voice of God. Hebrews 4:7
- Not listening to prophets. Ezekiel 3:7
- Lack of fear of God and straying from His ways. Isaiah 63:17. Not following his commandments. Mark 10:5 (God let them even though it was not God's idea)
- Spiritual Blindness. Mark 3:5, not understanding Jesus redemptive work. Mark 6:52, not understanding or discerning. John 12:40. Hardened mind, 2 Cor 3:14. and being in darkness in Eph 4:8.
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