Definition and Meaning:
Frowardness is a term used in the Bible to describe a disposition that is contrary, disobedient, or rebellious. It is often associated with a stubborn refusal to follow God's commands and a tendency to deviate from righteous paths. The term "froward" is derived from the Old English word "fromweard," meaning "turned away" or "perverse."

Biblical References:
The concept of frowardness is addressed in several passages throughout the Bible, highlighting the moral and spiritual implications of such behavior.

1. Proverbs 2:12-15 :
"Wisdom will save you from the ways of wicked men, from men whose words are perverse, who leave the straight paths to walk in dark ways, who delight in doing wrong and rejoice in the perversity of evil, whose paths are crooked and who are devious in their ways."

This passage emphasizes the role of wisdom in protecting individuals from the influence of those who are froward. It describes froward individuals as those who abandon righteousness and embrace perverse and crooked paths.

2. Proverbs 3:32 :
"For the LORD detests the perverse, but He is a friend to the upright."

Here, the term "perverse" is synonymous with frowardness. The verse underscores God's disdain for those who are froward, contrasting them with the upright, whom God favors.

3. Proverbs 4:24 :
"Put away deception from your mouth; keep your lips from perverse speech."

This verse advises believers to avoid frowardness in speech, highlighting the importance of integrity and truthfulness in communication.

4. Proverbs 6:12-14 :
"A worthless person, a wicked man, walks with a perverse mouth, winking with his eyes, speaking with his feet, and pointing with his fingers. With deceit in his heart he devises evil; he continually sows discord."

Frowardness is depicted as a characteristic of a wicked person, whose actions and speech are deceitful and divisive.

5. Proverbs 8:13 :
"To fear the LORD is to hate evil; I hate arrogant pride, evil conduct, and perverse speech."

This verse links the fear of the Lord with a rejection of frowardness, emphasizing that those who revere God will naturally abhor perverse behavior and speech.

Theological Implications:
Frowardness is seen as a serious moral failing in the biblical context. It represents a willful departure from God's ways and an embrace of sin and rebellion. The Bible consistently warns against frowardness, urging believers to pursue wisdom, righteousness, and integrity. The froward heart is contrasted with the upright heart, which seeks to align with God's will and commands.

Practical Application:
Believers are encouraged to examine their hearts and actions for any signs of frowardness. This involves a commitment to living in accordance with God's Word, seeking wisdom, and cultivating a spirit of obedience and humility. By doing so, Christians can avoid the pitfalls of frowardness and live lives that are pleasing to God.FROWARDNESS

fro'-werd-nes:

The translation of tahpukhoth the plural of tahpukhah, perversity, foolishness (from haphakh, to turn about) in Proverbs 2:14, delight in the frowardness of the wicked, the American Standard Revised Version the perverseness of evil, margin the evil man (compare 2:12; some render deceit); 6:14 the American Standard Revised Version, perverseness; 10:32, the mouth of the wicked speaketh frowardness, the American Standard Revised Version speaketh perverseness, margin is.

8420. tav -- a mark
... 8419, 8420. tav. 8420a . a mark. Transliteration: tav Phonetic Spelling: (tawv)
Short Definition: frowardness. very froward thing, perverse thing ...
/hebrew/8420.htm - 5k

Herein is a Mirror to be Blamed, --If Its Clearness is Darkened ...
... 8. Righteousness used blandishment,"and the rod to deal with childhood;"when she
smote it she roused it; her rod restrained frowardness, her blandishment ...
/.../ephraim/hymns and homilies of ephraim the syrian/hymn xvi herein is a.htm

You have Therefore the Will of My God. ...
... This frowardness also appertains to men,"to discard what is wholesome, to accept
what is baleful, to avoid all dangerous cures, or, in short, to be eager to ...
/.../scorpiace antidote for the scorpions sting/chapter v you have therefore.htm

In Every Sinful Man and Woman that is Bound in Deadly Sin...
... work, so that they bring it to no ending as they should have done, had they known
reason and had discretion; and so they lose their merit for their frowardness ...
/.../chapter i in every sinful.htm

Epistle Lxvi. To Father Stephanus, Concerning Marcianus of Arles ...
... seem to be excommunicated by us; [2741] in that he now for a long time boasts and
announces that, adhering to Novatian, and following his frowardness, he has ...
/.../cyprian/the epistles of cyprian/epistle lxvi to father stephanus.htm

Concerning Heretics: and Faith in the Trinity
... Wherefore, soothly, springs the frowardness of heretics but from an untaught and
inordinate mind, which is blinded by desire of its own excellence? ...
/.../rolle/the fire of love/chapter vi concerning heretics and.htm

Of the Praise of Solitary Life and of the First Lovers Thereof ...
... a clear conscience, and singing the joys of everlasting love, they rest, refreshed
by the most merry heat: and although with sharpness and frowardness they be ...
//christianbookshelf.org/rolle/the fire of love/chapter xiv of the praise.htm

How the Apostle Maintains that Christ is the Power of God and the ...
... mocked at this also. I ask you then, in what point do you differ from them,
since you both agree in this frowardness? But for my ...
/.../cassian/the seven books of john cassian /chapter x how the apostle.htm

The Same Conclusion Supported by the Transfiguration Marcion ...
... I suppose He would have imitated the frowardness (of heresy), [4326] and revealed
them just as Marcion's Christ was bound to do, or at least as having with Him ...
/.../the five books against marcion/chapter xxii the same conclusion supported.htm

"For if Ye Live after the Flesh, Ye Shall Die, but if Ye through ...
... but his supreme will and almighty power, he might simply command obedience, and
without any more persuasions either leave men to the frowardness of their own ...
/.../binning/the works of the rev hugh binning/sermon xxxiv for if ye.htm

Under the Three Pastors, --There were Manifold Shepherds
... 19. Even the Most High with the daughter of Jacob,"gave blandishment and the rod
to her childhood;"and in her frowardness and full age,"gave part in the ...
/.../ephraim/hymns and homilies of ephraim the syrian/hymn xiv under the three.htm

Frowardness (4 Occurrences)
... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia FROWARDNESS. fro'-werd-nes ... perverseness, margin
is. Multi-Version Concordance Frowardness (4 Occurrences). ...
/f/frowardness.htm - 8k

Uttereth (30 Occurrences)
... fool. (KJV JPS ASV WBS). Proverbs 10:31 The mouth of the righteous uttereth
wisdom, And the tongue of frowardness is cut out. (YLT). ...
/u/uttereth.htm - 14k

Frowardly (1 Occurrence)

/f/frowardly.htm - 6k

Frown (1 Occurrence)

/f/frown.htm - 7k

Dissension (18 Occurrences)
... suspicions, (See RSV). Proverbs 6:14 Frowardness is in his heart, he deviseth
evil continually; he soweth discord. (See NIV). Proverbs 6 ...
/d/dissension.htm - 11k

Devising (18 Occurrences)
... teeth. (YLT). Proverbs 6:14 Frowardness 'is' in his heart, devising evil
at all times, Contentions he sendeth forth. (YLT). Proverbs ...
/d/devising.htm - 11k

Deviseth (12 Occurrences)
... (KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS). Proverbs 6:14 Frowardness is in his heart, he deviseth
mischief continually; he soweth discord. (KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS). ...
/d/deviseth.htm - 9k

Contentions (20 Occurrences)
... me. (See JPS NAS). Proverbs 6:14 Frowardness 'is' in his heart, devising evil
at all times, Contentions he sendeth forth. (YLT). Proverbs ...
/c/contentions.htm - 11k

Soweth (16 Occurrences)
... salt. (YLT). Proverbs 6:14 Frowardness is in his heart, he deviseth mischief
continually; he soweth discord. (KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS). ...
/s/soweth.htm - 10k

Sowing (28 Occurrences)
... sheaves. (WEB ASV RSV). Proverbs 6:14 Frowardness is in his heart, he deviseth
evil continually; he soweth discord. (See RSV). Proverbs ...
/s/sowing.htm - 14k

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