Neck (Hastings' Dictionary)

l. The neck under the yoke was a figure borrowed from agriculture, and implied a state of ownership, dependence, and toil. The broken yoke was recovered freedom (Gn 27, Is 10”, Jer 27°, Ac 151°). Closely connected with this was the stiffness of the neck that refused to recognize God’s right to ossess, command, and direct (Dt 31”, Jer 7%, Roh 3°). 2. The foot on the neck was an emblem of complete subjection, borrowed from military conquest (Jos 10%, Ro 164, ef. Ps 110!)

It is fre- quently seen on the Egyptian monuments. RV correctly tr. 2S 22" (a 18”) ‘Thou hast made mine enemies turn their backs to me,’ for AV ‘Thou hast given me the necks of mine enemies’ (cf. Ex 2377, 2 Ch 29%, Jer 18" ete.) 3. For the neck adorned with a chain, the words }\13 garén and 773 hag fac [only in pl. n\7:93] ‘throat’ are also used (Pr 19, Ezk 16"). 4. To fall upon the neck is a form of salutation in the East (Gn 334 46%, Lk 15”).

The head is laid on one shoulder and then on the other close to the cheek. It is still part of the usual act of salutation when a meeting takes place between relatives or intimate friends of the same sex. It is the brotherly kiss of the monks and Oriental clergy. With them a custom origin- ating in natural affection has descended to ecclesi- astical routine and automatic formality. For Mt 18° (and parallels) see MILLSTONE. G. M. MACKIE.