The term "untoward" is used in the Bible to describe something that is perverse, difficult, or not easily managed. It often refers to behavior or circumstances that are contrary to what is expected or desired, particularly in a moral or spiritual sense. In the context of Scripture, "untoward" is used to characterize individuals or generations that are rebellious or disobedient to God's will.

Biblical Usage:

The word "untoward" appears in the New Testament in the book of Acts. In Acts 2:40, the Apostle Peter, addressing the crowd on the day of Pentecost, exhorts them to "Save yourselves from this untoward generation" . Here, "untoward" is used to describe a generation that is morally corrupt and resistant to the message of the Gospel. Peter's call is a plea for repentance and a turning away from the prevailing sinful attitudes and behaviors of the time.

Theological Implications:

From a theological perspective, the use of "untoward" highlights the contrast between the ways of the world and the ways of God. It underscores the need for believers to separate themselves from the corrupting influences of society and to live lives that are pleasing to God. The term serves as a reminder of the inherent sinfulness of humanity and the necessity of divine intervention for salvation.

Moral and Spiritual Lessons:

The concept of being "untoward" is a call to self-examination and repentance. It challenges individuals to consider whether their actions and attitudes align with God's standards. The Bible consistently calls believers to be set apart, to live in holiness, and to reject the patterns of a world that is often at odds with God's righteousness.

Historical Context:

In the first-century context of Acts, the "untoward generation" referred to by Peter would have been understood as the Jewish society that had largely rejected Jesus as the Messiah. This rejection was seen as a continuation of a pattern of disobedience and rebellion against God's prophets and messengers throughout Israel's history.

Application for Today:

The message of Acts 2:40 remains relevant for contemporary believers. Christians are called to discern the cultural and moral influences that are "untoward" and to resist conforming to them. Instead, they are encouraged to pursue a life of holiness, guided by the teachings of Scripture and empowered by the Holy Spirit.

In summary, the term "untoward" in the Bible serves as a warning against moral and spiritual waywardness. It calls for a commitment to God's truth and a rejection of the sinful tendencies that characterize a world in opposition to His will.(a.) Awkward; ungraceful; inconvenient; troublesome; vexatious; unlucky; unfortunate; as, an untoward wind or accident.UNTOWARD

un-to'-erd, un-tord' (skolios): Appears only in Acts 2:40, the King James Version "Save yourselves from this untoward generation." It means "perverse," "willful," "crooked," and is so translated in Revised Version: "this crooked generation" (apo tes geneas tes skolias tautes). the King James Version headings to Isaiah 28 and Hosea 6 have "untowardness." This now obsolete term probably derived its orgin from the idea of the heart that was not inclined toward the divine will and teaching. Hence, "not-toward," or "untoward."

VALLEY GATE

(sha`ar ha-gay', "Gate of the Gai"): Is placed (Nehemiah 3:13) between the "tower of the furnaces" and the "dung gate"; from here Nehemiah (2:13) set out on his ride down the "Gai" (Hinnom) to Siloam, and, too (12:31, 38), from here the Levites commenced their compass of the city in two directions. It must have been an ancient gate, for Uzziah added towers to it (2 Chronicles 26:9). It was probably near the Southwest corner of the city and near to, if not identical with, the gate found by Bliss near (now in) the Protestant Cemetery.

See JERUSALEM, VI, 13.

E. W. G. Masterman

VALLEY OF SLAUGHTER

See HINNOM, VALLEY OF; SLAUGHTER, VALLEY OF; TOPHETH.

VALLEY OF VISION

(ge' chizzayon): A symbolic name generally understood to signify Jerusalem as being the home of prophetic vision (Isaiah 22:1, 5).

ZEPHATHAH, VALLEY OF

zef'-a-tha (ge'tsephathah; Septuagint kata borran, reading tsephoah, instead of tsephathah): This is the place where Asa met and defeated the Ethiopians under Zerah (2 Chronicles 14:10). It is said to be at Mareshah. No name resembling this has been recovered there. Possibly, therefore, the Septuagint rendering is right, "in the ravine to the North of Mareshah." In that case the battle may have been fought in Wady el-`Afranj.

4646. skolios -- curved, winding, hence crooked
... crooked, froward, untoward. From the base of skelos; warped, ie Winding; figuratively,
perverse -- crooked, froward, untoward. see GREEK skelos. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4646.htm - 7k

Second Causes.
... Oh! that the Lord had delayed for a brief week that untoward journey, or anticipated
by four days his longed-for return; or would that we had despatched our ...
//christianbookshelf.org/macduff/memories of bethany/xi second causes.htm

Acts ii. 37
... "Save yourselves from this untoward generation." He says nothing of the future,
all is about the present, by which indeed men are chiefly swayed; he shows that ...
/.../chrysostom/homilies on acts and romans/homily vii acts ii 37.htm

Moab is My Washpot
... With difficulty do we save ourselves from this untoward generation. ... In untoward acts
there may have been much difference, but in the inner man how little! ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 17 1871/moab is my washpot.htm

Post-Nicene Mothers
... It requires a considerable amount of imagination, coupled with a facility for
overlooking untoward historical facts, to enable one to draw an honest and at the ...
/.../brittain/women of early christianity/v post-nicene mothers.htm

The Second Awakening.
... of Franklin, the philosophic deism of men like Jefferson, and the popular ribaldry
of Tom Paine, had wrought, together with other untoward influences, to bring ...
/.../bacon/a history of american christianity/chapter xiv the second awakening.htm

The Conversion of Paul.
... With the rudest and most untoward materials, he can rear a fabric, admirable in
its contrivance, beautiful in its construction, and accommodated to the most ...
/.../dick/lectures on the acts of the apostles/lecture xii the conversion of.htm

The Physical Theory Continued Further Reasons Advanced against the ...
... So again, in untoward events, they who are wounded with the sword do not charge
the injury on the sword or the spear, but on the enemy or the robber; whilst ...
/.../tertullian/ad nationes/chapter v the physical theory continued.htm

Peter's First Sermon
... call.40. And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save
yourselves from this untoward generation.41. Then they ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture the acts/peters first sermon.htm

Anointed for Burial.
... This journey to Jerusalem is the last journey, is the Lord's last appeal to that
untoward generation, is the history of the Lamb consciously going to the altar ...
/.../johnson/the new testament commentary vol iii john/anointed for burial.htm

From the Apology Addressed to Marcus Aurelius Antoninus.
... at the same time that the empire of such happy commencement was established, is
this"that ever since the reign of Augustus nothing untoward has happened; but ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/unknown/the decretals/ii from the apology addressed.htm

Untoward (1 Occurrence)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (a.) Awkward; ungraceful; inconvenient; troublesome;
vexatious; unlucky; unfortunate; as, an untoward wind or accident. Int. ...UNTOWARD. ...
/u/untoward.htm - 9k

Untouched (8 Occurrences)

/u/untouched.htm - 8k

Untraceable (2 Occurrences)

/u/untraceable.htm - 7k

Chedorlaomer (5 Occurrences)
... 5. The Fate of Sinful Rulers: But an untoward fate overtook this ruler likewise,
for Kudur-lahmal (= lahgumal), his son, pierced his heart with the steel sword ...
/c/chedorlaomer.htm - 16k

Testify (110 Occurrences)
... (WEY). Acts 2:40 And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying,
Save yourselves from this untoward generation. (KJV WBS YLT). ...
/t/testify.htm - 36k

Polygamy
... a united Israel (1 Kings 11:12). Polygamy may be justly charged with these untoward
results. 4. Polygamy Unnatural: It can be demonstrated ...
/p/polygamy.htm - 19k

Untoward: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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