*Minor differences ignored. Grouped by changes, with first version listed as example.
Lift not up your horn on high - In a proud, self-confident, arrogant manner.
Speak not with a stiff neck - With arrogance and pride; in a haughty, imperious manner. The word rendered "stiff" (literally "a neck of stiffness") - עתק ‛âthâq - means properly bold, impudent, wicked; and the idea is that of speaking as those do who are impudent, shameless, bold, licentious - indicating confidence in themselves, and a reckless disregard of truth and of the rights of others. The Septuagint and the Vulgate render it, "And speak not unrighteousness against God."
Speak not with a stiff neck - Mr. Bruce has observed that the Abyssinian kings have a horn on their diadem; and that the keeping it erect, or in a projecting form, makes them appear as if they had a stiff neck; and refers to this passage for the antiquity of the usage, and the appearance also.
Lift not up your (e) horn on high: speak [not with] a stiff neck.
(e) The prophet warns the wicked that they would not set themselves against God's people, seeing that God at his time destroys them who rule wickedly.
Lift not up your horn on high,.... Or "against the most High" (q); as the little horn, or the beast with ten horns, antichrist, does, whose look is more stout than his fellows, and opens his mouth in blasphemy against God, his name, his tabernacle, and them that dwell in heaven, Daniel 7:8,
speak not with a stiff neck; arrogantly, proudly, and haughtily: or "hard things with a neck" (r); hard speeches against Christ and his people with an outstretched neck, in an imperious and insolent manner; for the righteous Judge will convince such of their hard speeches, and condemn them for them; Jde 1:14.
(q) "contra excelsum", Junius & Tremellius. (r) "collo durum", Michaelis.
speak . . . neck--insolently.
Lift not - A metaphor from untamed oxen, which will not bow their heads to receive the yoke. Stiff neck - With pride and contempt.
*More commentary available at chapter level.