Froward' is a dialectic form of 'fromward'; it is the opposite of 'toward,' as we say 'to and fro' for 'to and from.' Thus its meaning is perverse. The word is used chiefly in Proverbs. In NT it occurs only once, 1Pe 2:18, where the Gr. means literally tortuous like the course of a river, and then is applied to conduct that is not straightforward. Frowardly is found in Isa 57:17 'and he went on frowardly in the way of his heart.' The Heb. is lit. 'be walked turning away,' as Authorized Version margin. Frowardness occurs only in Pr. (Pr 2:14; 6:14; 10:32). Barlowe says 'Moyses the most faythfull seruaunte of God was partely by their frowardnes debarred fro the plesaunte lande of behest.'