International Standard Bible Encyclopedia: Integrity

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International Standard Bible Encyclopedia: Integrity


Subjects in this Topic:

in-teg´ri-ti (תּם, tōm, תּמּה, tummāh): The translation of tōm, “simplicity,” “soundness,” “completeness,” rendered also “upright,” “perfection.” Its original sense appears in the phrase letōm (; ), “A certain man drew his bow at a venture” margin “Hebrew, in his simplicity” (compare , “in their simplicity”). It is translated “integrity” (, ; ; ; ; , ; ; ; ; ), in all which places it seems to carry the meaning of simplicity, or sincerity of heart and intention, truthfulness, uprightness. In the plural (tummı̄m) it is one of the words on the breastplate of the high priest (; ; ; ), one of the sacred lots, indicating, perhaps, “innocence” or “integrity” (Septuagint alḗtheia). See URIM AND THUMMIM. Another word translated “integrity” is tummāh, from tāmam, “to complete,” “be upright,” “perfect,” only in , ; ; ; .

The word “integrity” does not occur in the New Testament, but its equivalents may be seen in “sincerity,” “truth,” the “pure heart,” the “single eye,” etc. In the above sense of simplicity of intention it is equivalent to being honest, sincere, genuine, and is fundamental to true character.