Proverbs 6:12 Meaning and Explanation
“A naughty person, a wicked man, walketh with a froward mouth.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →A wicked person is identified by a perverse or contrary way of speaking.
The Context of Proverbs 6:12
The passage turns from the sluggard to describe another dangerous character: the wicked person with a twisted tongue.
What Does Proverbs 6:12 Mean?
A person who is both wicked and naughty is characterized by a 'froward mouth'—a mouth that speaks crooked, deceitful, or contrary things. This person's speech reveals the corruption within. The way a wicked person talks distinguishes him from righteous company and marks him out.
The emphasis on the mouth suggests that wickedness manifests first and foremost in words. Before wicked actions follow, there is wicked speech. A person who walks with a froward mouth is one whose very way of being is bent toward deception and perversion.
Proverbs 6:12 in the Original Language
tahpuchat (תַּהְפֻּכוֹת), 'froward'—perverse, twisted, bent aside from truth; from a root meaning to overturn.
Frequently Asked Questions About Proverbs 6:12
What does Proverbs 6:12 mean?
A wicked person is identified by a perverse or contrary way of speaking.
What is the context of Proverbs 6:12?
The passage turns from the sluggard to describe another dangerous character: the wicked person with a twisted tongue.