GospelMount
Search Topics Scripture Prayer Resources Ebooks About Support the mission Saved articles

תֻּמָּה (tum.mah)

tum.mah

integrity

H8538 · Hebrew · Old Testament · 5 verses

H:N-F

Quick Reference

Language
Biblical Hebrew
Testament
Old Testament
Occurrences
5 verses
Root
—
Part of speech
H:N-F

Word Overview

The Hebrew noun tummah denotes a state of wholeness or integrity, describing a person who is complete and without moral defect. It appears in only five verses, primarily within the books of Job and Proverbs, where it characterizes the blameless nature of individuals who walk uprightly before God.

This term emphasizes an inner consistency rather than mere external compliance. In Proverbs 2:7, for instance, it is linked to the protection God provides for those whose conduct is "upright," suggesting that tummah reflects a heart aligned with divine order. The word conveys a sense of being undivided in purpose and action.

Its rarity in Scripture highlights its weight as a description of spiritual maturity. Translators often render it as "integrity" or "uprightness," capturing the idea of a life that is whole and uncorrupted by deceit or compromise.

Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).

What This Word Means for Your Faith

The word tummah describes a wholeness that goes beyond simple rule-following. It points to an inner consistency where your private thoughts align with your public actions. When Scripture speaks of integrity, it is not describing a flawless person who never stumbles, but one whose heart remains undivided in its pursuit of God.

In times of testing, this quality becomes a source of stability. Job’s story shows that maintaining this inner wholeness is possible even when circumstances are chaotic. It suggests that our character is not defined by what happens to us, but by the quiet commitment to remain true to who we are before God.

This kind of integrity acts as a guide for daily life. It does not promise an easy path, but it offers a steady direction. When your motives and actions match, you can walk forward with confidence, trusting that God honors a sincere heart.

How it's translated

How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 5 verses where it appears, by frequency.

  • integrity/ my2×
  • on/ integrity/ your1×
  • on/ integrity/ his1×
  • [the] integrity of1×

Forms in the text

The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.

  • תֻּמָּתִֽ/י\׃1×
  • תֻּמָּתִ֣/י1×
  • תֻּמַּ֣ת1×
  • בְּ/תֻמָּתֶ֑/ךָ1×
  • בְּ/תֻמָּת֔/וֹ1×

Key Verses

  • Job 2:3
    Yahweh said to Satan, “Have you considered my servant Job? For there is no one like him in the earth, a blameless and an upright man, one who fears God, and turns away from evil. He still maintains his integrity, although you incited me against him, to ruin him without cause.”

    This verse highlights the rarity of such integrity by noting that no one else on earth matched Job's blameless state.

  • Job 2:9
    Then his wife said to him, “Do you still maintain your integrity? Renounce God, and die.”

    Here the word is used in a rhetorical question to challenge whether true devotion can survive extreme suffering.

  • Proverbs 11:3
    The integrity of the upright shall guide them, but the perverseness of the treacherous shall destroy them.

    This occurrence presents integrity not just as a trait, but as an active force that guides the upright through life.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does the Hebrew word tummah mean?

Tummah means integrity or wholeness. It describes a person whose inner character matches their outer actions, without deceit or division.

Is tummah the same as being sinless?

No. The biblical concept of integrity focuses on consistency and sincerity rather than absolute perfection. It is about walking uprightly before God despite human weakness.

Where does this word appear most often?

It appears in only five verses, primarily in the books of Job and Proverbs. These passages use it to describe the steadfast character of those who fear God.

Every Occurrence (5 verses across 2 books)