Original Word: תֹּם
Part of Speech: Noun Masculine
Transliteration: tom
Pronunciation: tōm
Phonetic Spelling: (tome)
KJV: full, integrity, perfect(-ion), simplicity, upright(-ly, -ness), at a venture See H8550
NASB: integrity, random, blameless, full, full measure, innocently, upright
Word Origin: [from H8552 (תָּמַם - finished)]

1. completeness
2. (figuratively) prosperity
3. usually (morally) innocence

full, integrity, perfection, simplicity, uprightly at a venture

From tamam; completeness; figuratively, prosperity; usually (morally) innocence -- full, integrity, perfect(-ion), simplicity, upright(-ly, -ness), at a venture. See Tummiym.

see HEBREW tamam

see HEBREW Tummiym

Word Origin
from tamam
Definition
completeness, integrity, also part of the high priest's breastplate
NASB Translation
blameless (1), full (1), full measure (1), innocently (1), integrity (16), random (2), upright (1).

תֹּם noun [masculine] completeness, integrity ; — תֹּם absolute Proverbs 10:20 +; construct Job 4:6; Psalm 78:72, construct also תָּםֿ Proverbs 13:6 4t.; suffix תֻּמִּי Psalm 26:1 11t. suffix; plural תֻּמִּים Exodus 28:30 3t.; suffix תֻּמֶּיךָ Deuteronomy 33:8 ; —

1 completeness, fullness : כְּתֻמָּם Isaiah 47:9 according to their full measure; בְּעֶצֶם תֻּמּוֺ Job 21:23 in his very completeness.

2 innocence, simplicity: הלכים לתמם 2 Samuel 15:11; מֶשַׁךְ בַּקֶּשֶׁת לְתֻמּוֺ 1 Kings 22:34 2Chronicles 18:33, i.e. without definite aim.

3 integrity: תֹּם לֵבָב integrity of mind Genesis 20:5,6 (E), 1 Kings 9:4; Psalm 78:72; Psalm 101:2; תָּםדֶּֿרֶךְ Proverbs 13:6; Job 4:6; (הת)הלך בַּתֹּם Proverbs 10:9, בְּתֻמּוֺ Proverbs 19:1; Proverbs 20:7; Proverbs 28:6, בְּתֻמִּי Psalm 26:1; Psalm 26:11; הֹלְכֵי תֹם Proverbs 2:7; תֹּם וָישֶׁר Psalm 25:21; בְּתֻמִּי Psalm 41:13; כְּתֻמִּי Psalm 7:9; מָעוֺז לַתֹּם Proverbs 10:29.

4 תֻּמִּים in אוּרִים וְתֻמִּים (meaning dubious, see, אורים) Deuteronomy 33:8; Exodus 28:30 (P) Leviticus 8:8 (P), Ezra 2:63 = Nehemiah 7:65; + 1 Samuel 14:41 (for תָּמִים) We Dr Bu HPS; also Hosea 3:4 (for תרפים Che^{JQ. July 1899, 564} and Hosea 4:5 (תֻּמֶּ֑יךָ for אִמֶּ֑ךָ) Ruben^{JQ. April 1899, 44} Che^l.c.

Concept of Integrity

תֹּם captures the idea of moral wholeness—an undivided heart that lives before God without duplicity. It is not sinless perfection but consistency between confession and conduct, a life “complete” before the Lord. The term stands alongside “uprightness,” “righteousness,” and “blamelessness,” yet uniquely stresses inward sincerity that produces outward reliability.

Occurrences in the Pentateuch

Genesis portrays integrity as both a human claim and a divine assessment. Abimelech pleads, “In the integrity of my heart and innocence of my hands I have done this” (Genesis 20:5), and the Lord confirms, “Yes, I know that you did this with a clear conscience” (Genesis 20:6). Here integrity shields the patriarchal line from impurity and shows God’s just dealings with Gentile rulers.

Leviticus 25:29 applies the term to property redemption, showing that social justice in Israel rests on transparent dealings, an expression of covenantal integrity.

Historical Narratives

David is held up as the royal standard: “Walk before Me as your father David walked, with integrity of heart and uprightness” (1 Kings 9:4). תֹּם thus becomes the criterion for kingship, and its absence portends national disaster (contrast 1 Kings 22:34; 2 Chronicles 18:33). When Absalom usurps the throne, “two hundred men went... in their simplicity and knew not anything” (2 Samuel 15:11); their unsuspecting integrity is exploited, warning that innocence without discernment can be vulnerable.

Wisdom Literature

Job repeatedly wrestles with integrity. Eliphaz asks, “Is your reverence not your confidence, and the integrity of your ways your hope?” (Job 4:6). Later Job insists on dying with integrity intact (Job 21:23). The Psalms depict integrity as the believer’s shield:
• “Judge me, O LORD... and vindicate me according to my integrity” (Psalm 7:8).
• “May integrity and uprightness preserve me” (Psalm 25:21).
• “But as for me, I will walk in my integrity; redeem me and be gracious to me” (Psalm 26:11).
• “In my integrity You uphold me and set me in Your presence forever” (Psalm 41:12).

Shepherd-king leadership is summarized: “So he shepherded them according to the integrity of his heart” (Psalm 78:72).

Proverbs turns integrity into practical wisdom: it is a path (Proverbs 10:9; 10:29), a safeguard (2:7; 13:6), a treasure more valuable than riches (19:1; 28:6), and a legacy to children (20:7).

Prophetic Warning

Isaiah 47:9 foretells disaster upon Babylon “in spite of your many sorceries,” showing that self-defined integrity collapses under divine judgment when severed from true holiness.

Theological Significance

1. Covenant Fidelity: תֹּם describes the sincere heart God desires in covenant partners.
2. Divine Scrutiny: Only God can truly assess integrity (Genesis 20:6; Psalm 7:8).
3. Messianic Foreshadowing: The blameless Servant fulfills perfect integrity, enabling believers to share His righteousness (compare 1 Peter 2:22).
4. Eschatological Hope: Integrity “preserves” (Psalm 25:21) until final vindication.

Practical Ministry Application

• Leadership: Elders are to pattern Davidic integrity, leading “with a clear conscience” (1 Timothy 3:9).
• Discipleship: Teach believers that private holiness and public conduct must align; hypocrisy erodes witness.
• Pastoral Care: Encourage sufferers, like Job, to cling to integrity amid trials—God vindicates.
• Societal Engagement: Advocate honest commerce and justice, reflecting Levitical principles.

Contrast with Wickedness

The integrity path is straight and safe; duplicity invites downfall (Proverbs 10:9). God “stores up sound wisdom for the upright; He is a shield to those who walk in integrity” (Proverbs 2:7). Conversely, Babylon’s doom illustrates integrity divorced from truth.

Divine Protection and Reward

Psalm 26:1 links integrity with steadfast feet; Proverbs 10:29 calls it “a refuge to the blameless.” Ultimately, integrity secures eternal standing: “You uphold me and set me in Your presence forever” (Psalm 41:12). Walking in תֹּם, therefore, is both the believer’s duty and destiny.

בְּ֭תֻמִּי בְּתָם־ בְּתֻמִּ֣י בְּתֻמִּ֥י בְּתֻמּ֑וֹ בְּתֻמּ֣וֹ בְתָם־ בַּ֭תֹּם בתם בתם־ בתמו בתמי וְתֹ֣ם וּכְתֻמִּ֣י וכתמי ותם כְּתֹ֣ם כְּתֻמָּם֙ כתם כתמם לְתֻמָּ֑ם לְתֻמּ֔וֹ לַ֭תֹּם לתם לתמו לתמם תָּם־ תֹּ֖ם תֹּם־ תֹֽם׃ תֻּמּ֑וֹ תם תם־ תם׃ תמו bat·tōm Battom battōm bə·ṯām- ḇə·ṯām- bə·ṯum·mî bə·ṯum·mōw bəṯām- ḇəṯām- betom betumMi bəṯummî betumMo bəṯummōw kə·ṯōm kə·ṯum·mām keTom kəṯōm ketumMam kəṯummām lat·tōm Lattom lattōm lə·ṯum·mām lə·ṯum·mōw letumMam ləṯummām letumMo ləṯummōw tām- tom tōm ṯōm tōm- tum·mōw tumMo tummōw ū·ḵə·ṯum·mî uchetumMi ūḵəṯummî vetom wə·ṯōm wəṯōmInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts