תָּמִים (ta.mim)
ta.mim
unblemished
H:AQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 68 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:A
Word Overview
The Hebrew adjective tamim describes something that is whole, sound, or complete. Its core sense is freedom from damage or defect. In the ritual laws of Leviticus and Numbers, it specifies that sacrificial animals must be without blemish or spot (Leviticus 1:3; Exodus 12:5). This physical wholeness serves as a tangible standard for what is acceptable in worship.
Beyond the altar, tamim applies to moral character. It describes a person who lives with integrity and uprightness before God. Noah is called tamim among his generation (Genesis 6:9), and Moses is urged to walk tamim with the Lord (Deuteronomy 18:13). The word implies a consistent alignment of heart and action, rather than mere external compliance.
Derived from the root tamam, meaning to be complete or finished, the term carries theological weight. It suggests a state of being fully formed or intact. Translators often render it as "perfect" or "blameless," though these English words can imply sinless flawlessness that the Hebrew text does not always demand. Instead, tamim points to a life that is undivided and sincere in its devotion.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The Hebrew word tamim describes something whole, sound, and free from damage. In the Old Testament, it sets a clear standard for worship. Animals brought to God had to be without defect, showing that we offer our best, not what is broken or leftover. This physical wholeness points to a deeper spiritual reality.
Beyond the altar, tamim describes people who live with integrity. Noah walked with God because his heart was undivided. Moses was called to walk before the Lord in the same way. It is not about being sinless, but about being sincere and consistent in devotion.
God invites us to bring Him our whole selves. When we align our actions with our faith, we reflect His character. This wholeness brings peace and acceptance before Him. May you find comfort in knowing that God values your sincere heart above all else.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 68 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- unblemished39×
- blameless11×
- complete4×
- a blameless [person]3×
- and/ in/ integrity2×
- and/ blameless [people]2×
- [one] complete of2×
- in/ integrity1×
- blameless [people]1×
- and/ complete1×
- [people] blameless of1×
- [is] perfect1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- תְּמִימִֽם\׃10×
- תָּמִ֖ים7×
- תָּמִ֣ים5×
- תָּמִֽים\׃3×
- תָּ֭מִים3×
- תְּמִימִ֖ם3×
- וּ֝/תְמִימִ֗ים3×
- תָּמִ֧ים2×
- תָּמִ֥ים2×
- תְּמִימִ֥ם2×
- תְּמִימִ֑ם2×
- תָּמִ֤ים1×
Key Verses
-
Genesis 6:9
This is the history of the generations of Noah: Noah was a righteous man, blameless among the people of his time. Noah walked with God.
This verse highlights Noah’s unique integrity, showing that tamim describes a person whose life was consistently aligned with God in a corrupt generation.
-
Genesis 17:1
When Abram was ninety-nine years old, Yahweh appeared to Abram and said to him, “I am God Almighty. Walk before me and be blameless.
God commands Abram to walk before Him and be blameless, linking the concept of wholeness directly to a personal relationship with the Lord.
-
Leviticus 1:3
“‘If his offering is a burnt offering from the herd, he shall offer a male without defect. He shall offer it at the door of the Tent of Meeting, that he may be accepted before Yahweh.
This instruction requires a male without defect for a burnt offering, establishing that acceptable worship demands something whole and unblemished.
-
Exodus 12:5
Your lamb shall be without defect, a male a year old. You shall take it from the sheep or from the goats.
The Passover lamb must be without defect, emphasizing that the sacrifice protecting Israel had to be physically perfect and sound.