John Gill Commentary Nehemiah 9:16

"But they and our fathers dealt proudly and hardened their neck, and hearkened not to thy commandments," — Nehemiah 9:16 (ASV)

But they and our fathers dealt proudly
Behaved in a haughty manner towards God, their kind benefactor:

and hardened their necks ;
refused to take the yoke of his law, as refractory oxen, that withdraw their necks from the yoke:

and hearkened not to your commandments ;
to do them, though they promised they would, (Exodus 24:7) .