Froward Meaning in the Bible: Definition & Verse Examples
“Froward” in the Bible means stubborn, disobedient, and set on going the wrong way. A froward person turns away from what is right and refuses to listen or be corrected. The Bible uses this word for people whose words, hearts, or actions are crooked and twisted.
This is an old English word, and you will find it mostly in the King James Version (KJV), especially in the book of Proverbs. Below, we explain what it means, where it comes from, and what the Bible teaches about it.
What Does “Froward” Mean in Simple Words?
Froward means “turned away from what is good.” It describes someone who is:
- Stubborn – they will not give in or change
- Disobedient – they go against God and others
- Crooked or twisted – they are not straight or honest
- Hard to deal with – they push back against correction
In short, a froward person always seems to go the opposite way of what is right.
Where Does the Word “Froward” Come From?
The word comes from Old English and is the opposite of “toward.”
| Word | Old Meaning |
| Toward | Moving to something, willing, ready |
| Froward | Moving away from something, unwilling, against |
“Fro” means “away,” like in the phrase “to and fro.” So a froward person is someone who leans away from God, away from good advice, and away from doing right.
Is “Froward” the Same as “Forward”?
No. This is a very common mix-up because the words look alike.
- Forward means moving ahead or to the front.
- Froward means stubborn, contrary, and turning away from right.
So when you read “froward” in the Bible, it is not a spelling mistake for “forward.” It is a different word with a different meaning.
How Do You Pronounce “Froward”?
It is usually said as “FROH-ward” or “FROH-erd.” The first part sounds like “fro” in “to and fro.”
What Is the Hebrew and Greek Meaning of Froward?
The KJV uses “froward” to translate a few different original words. Each one adds a bit more color to the meaning.
| Original Word | Language | Basic Meaning |
| Iqqesh | Hebrew | Crooked, twisted, perverse |
| Tahpukah | Hebrew | Upside down, turned around, perverse things |
| Luz | Hebrew | To turn aside, to be devious |
| Skolios | Greek | Bent, crooked, harsh |
The Greek word “skolios” is where we get the medical word “scoliosis,” which is a bent spine. That gives a clear picture. A froward person is bent out of line, not standing straight with God.
Where Is “Froward” Used in the Bible?
The word appears over 20 times in the KJV. Most of these are in Proverbs, but it also shows up in Deuteronomy, the Psalms, and 1 Peter. Here are some key verses:
Proverbs 3:32
“For the froward is abomination to the LORD: but his secret is with the righteous.”
Meaning: God strongly dislikes a crooked, stubborn way of living. But He is close to people who live honestly.
Proverbs 4:24
“Put away from thee a froward mouth, and perverse lips put far from thee.”
Meaning: Stop using twisted, dishonest, or harmful words.
Proverbs 8:13
“The fear of the LORD is to hate evil: pride, and arrogancy, and the evil way, and the froward mouth, do I hate.”
Meaning: Respecting God means hating evil, including proud attitudes and crooked speech.
Proverbs 16:28
“A froward man soweth strife: and a whisperer separateth chief friends.”
Meaning: A twisted, troublemaking person spreads conflict. Gossip can break up even close friends.
Proverbs 21:8
“The way of man is froward and strange: but as for the pure, his work is right.”
Meaning: A guilty person’s path is crooked, but a pure person does what is right.
Deuteronomy 32:20
“For they are a very froward generation, children in whom is no faith.”
Meaning: God describes Israel as a stubborn people who did not trust Him.
Psalm 101:4
“A froward heart shall depart from me: I will not know a wicked person.”
Meaning: King David promises to keep twisted, evil ways far from his life.
What Is a “Froward Mouth” in the Bible?
A “froward mouth” means speech that is twisted, dishonest, or harmful. Proverbs mentions it several times because words matter a lot in the Bible.
A froward mouth may include:
- Lying or twisting the truth
- Gossip and spreading rumors
- Harsh, hurtful words
- Speaking against God
- Arguing just to cause trouble
Proverbs 10:31 says, “The mouth of the just bringeth forth wisdom: but the froward tongue shall be cut out.” This means honest words lead to life and wisdom, while crooked words lead to ruin.
What Is a “Froward Heart”?
A froward heart is a heart that is turned away from God. It is the inner attitude that leads to froward words and actions.
Proverbs 11:20 says, “They that are of a froward heart are abomination to the LORD: but such as are upright in their way are his delight.”
Jesus taught the same idea in Luke 6:45, saying that “of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh.” In other words, what is inside us shows up in what we say and do. If the heart is twisted, the life will be twisted too.
What Does 1 Peter 2:18 Mean by “Froward” Masters?
This is the main New Testament use of the word:
“Servants, be subject to your masters with all fear; not only to the good and gentle, but also to the froward.” (1 Peter 2:18, KJV)
Here, “froward” means harsh, unfair, or hard to work for. Peter tells servants to show respect even when their master is difficult.
Peter is not saying unfair treatment is good. He is teaching that believers can show Christ-like patience even in hard situations. The next verses point to Jesus, who suffered unfairly but did not strike back.
Modern Bibles make this clearer. The NIV uses the word “harsh,” and the ESV uses “unjust.” The point today is similar for anyone with a tough boss: do good work and keep a good attitude, even when it is hard.
What Does Psalm 18:26 Mean?
Psalm 18:26 (KJV) says:
“With the pure thou wilt shew thyself pure; and with the froward thou wilt shew thyself froward.”
This verse can be confusing. It does not mean God becomes crooked or evil.
It means God responds to people based on how they come to Him:
- To people who are honest and pure, He shows Himself kind and faithful.
- To people who are twisted and stubborn, He shows Himself as a firm opponent. He will not be fooled by their tricks.
The NIV puts it this way: “to the devious you show yourself shrewd.” In other words, crooked people cannot outsmart God.
What Are the Signs of a Froward Person?
Based on Proverbs and other verses, here are some common signs:
- Will not take advice. They push away correction and wisdom.
- Uses crooked words. They lie, gossip, or twist the truth.
- Stirs up trouble. They cause fights and break up friendships.
- Acts proud. They think they always know best.
- Turns from God. They choose their own way over God’s way.
What Is the Opposite of Froward?
The opposite of froward is upright, straight, and willing. The Bible often places these two side by side.
| Froward | Upright |
| Crooked | Straight |
| Stubborn | Teachable |
| Twisted words | Honest words |
| Turns away from God | Walks with God |
| Causes strife | Brings peace |
Proverbs 11:20 shows this contrast clearly. God dislikes a froward heart, but the upright are His delight.
How Do Modern Bibles Translate “Froward”?
Since “froward” is no longer common in English, newer Bible versions use simpler words. Depending on the verse, you may see:
- Perverse
- Devious
- Crooked
- Twisted
- Harsh
- Stubborn
- Wicked
So if you read Proverbs 3:32 in the NIV, you will see “the LORD detests the perverse” instead of “the froward is abomination to the LORD.”
What Can We Learn From the Word “Froward”?
This old word still has some helpful lessons today:
- Guard your heart. A twisted life starts with a twisted heart.
- Watch your words. God cares about how we speak to others.
- Stay teachable. Being willing to listen and change is a mark of wisdom.
- Respond well to hard people. Like 1 Peter 2:18 teaches, we can stay kind even when others are harsh.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does froward mean in the KJV?
In the KJV, froward means stubborn, disobedient, crooked, or perverse. It describes someone who turns away from what is right.
Is froward a sin?
Being froward is a sinful attitude because it means resisting God and doing wrong. Proverbs says God finds it detestable.
How many times is froward in the Bible?
The word appears over 20 times in the KJV, mostly in the book of Proverbs.
What is a froward generation?
A froward generation is a group of people who are stubborn and unfaithful toward God, like Israel in Deuteronomy 32:20.
What does froward mean in 1 Peter 2:18?
It means a master who is harsh, unfair, or hard to please.
What is a modern word for froward?
Good modern words are “stubborn,” “perverse,” “devious,” or “crooked.”
Conclusion
“Froward” is an old word that means stubborn, crooked, and turned away from what is right. The Bible uses it to warn against twisted hearts, harmful words, and a refusal to listen to God. Its opposite is an upright life that walks straight with God. While the word may sound old, its message is simple and still true today: stay humble, speak honestly, and walk in God’s way.
