The meaning of Integrity in the Bible
(From International Standard Bible Encyclopedia)
in-teg'-ri-ti (tom, tummah): The translation of tom, "simplicity," "soundness," "completeness," rendered also "upright," "perfection." Its original sense appears in the phrase letom (I Kings 22:34; II Chronicles 18:33), "A certain man drew his bow at a venture" margin "Hebrew, in his simplicity" (compare II Samuel 15:11, "in their simplicity"). It is translated "integrity" (Genesis 20:5-6; I Kings 9:4; Psalms 7:8; Psalms 25:21; Psalms 26:1, Psalms 26:11; Psalms 41:12; Psalms 78:72; Proverbs 19:1; Proverbs 20:7), in all which places it seems to carry the meaning of simplicity, or sincerity of heart and intention, truthfulness, uprightness. In the plural (tummim) it is one of the words on the breastplate of the high priest (Exodus 28:30; Deuteronomy 33:8; Ezra 2:63; Nehemiah 7:65), one of the sacred lots, indicating, perhaps, "innocence" or "integrity" Septuagint aletheia). See URIM AND THUMMIM. Another word translated "integrity" is tummah, from tamam, "to complete," "be upright," "perfect," only in Job 2:3, Job 2:1; Job 27:5; Job 31:6; Proverbs 11:3.
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.
W. L. Walker
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