Integrity

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 (1 Kgs 22:34; 2 Chr 18:33), "A certain man drew his bow at a venture" margin "Hebrew, in his simplicity" (compare 2 Sam 15:11, "in their simplicity"). It is translated "integrity" (Gen 20:5; Gen 20:6; 1 Kgs 9:4; Ps 7:8; Ps 25:21; Ps 26:1; Ps 26:11; Ps 41:12; Ps 78:72; Prov 19:1; Prov 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 (Exod 28:30; Deut 33:8; Ezra 2:63; Neh 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; Prov 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