Bible Dictionaries
Integrity

Holman Bible Dictionary

The state of being complete or undivided. Terms which occur in parallel with integrity (Hebrew tom , tomim ) suggest its shades of meaning: righteousness (Psalm 7:8 ); uprightness (Psalm 25:21 ); without wavering (Psalm 26:1 NRSV, NAS, NIV); blameless ( Psalm 101:2 NRSV, Hebrew uses tom twice in verse, otherwise translated integrity). Several Old Testament characters are designated persons of integrity: Noah ( Genesis 6:9 ); Abraham (Genesis 17:1 ); Jacob (Genesis 25:27 ); Job (Job 1:1 ,Job 1:1,1:8; Job 2:3 ); and David (1 Kings 9:4 ). English translations frequently render the underlying Hebrew as perfect or blameless. Inclusion of Jacob is surprising since he is better known for his deceit (Genesis 27:5-27; Genesis 30:37-43; Genesis 33:13-17 ). English translators describe Jacob as a plain (KJV), peaceful (NAS), or quiet man (NRSV, NIV, REB).

In the New Testament, integrity occurs only at Titus 2:7 (NRSV, NIV, REB) in reference to teaching. The idea of singleness of heart or mind is frequent: Matthew 5:8; Matthew 6:22; James 1:7-8; James 4:8 .