Lexical Summary tam: Blameless, perfect, complete, upright Original Word: תָּם Strong's Exhaustive Concordance coupled together, perfect, plain, undefiled, upright From tamam; complete; usually (morally) pious; specifically, gentle, dear -- coupled together, perfect, plain, undefiled, upright. see HEBREW tamam NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom tamam Definition complete NASB Translation blameless (5), blameless man (1), complete (2), guiltless (3), integrity (1), peaceful (1), perfect one (2). Brown-Driver-Briggs תָּם adjective complete — ׳ת Genesis 25:27 10t.; suffix תַּמָּתִי Songs 5:2; Songs 6:9 (late, except Genesis 25:27); — 1 complete, perfect: in beauty Songs 5:2; Songs 6:9; of physical strength Psalm 73:4 (read לָ֑מוֺ תָּם Ew De DrSam. xxxi Che Bae and others). 2 sound, wholesome: אישׁ תָּם, of Jacob as tent-dweller, opposed to Esau, hunter, Genesis 25:27 (J; De leutseliger Mann, Di ruhig, still, AV RV plain man; ׳ת here possibly redactional, = 3). 3 complete, morally innocent, having integrity: אִישׁ תָּם Job 1:8; Job 2:3; ׳ת alone Job 1:1; Job 8:20; Job 9:20,21,22; Proverbs 29:10; Psalm 37:37; Psalm 64:5. — תַּמִּים see [תָּאם]. p. 1060f Topical Lexicon Overview Found in narrative, cultic, poetic, wisdom and love‐song settings, תָּם portrays a life or object that is whole, integrated and without moral fracture. Its uses range from the physical completeness of Tabernacle joinery to the moral integrity that marks God’s people, offering a unifying biblical portrait of “blamelessness” that anticipates the New Testament call to be “complete in Christ.” Patriarchal Roots – Jacob the “Quiet” Man (Genesis 25:27) The first appearance describes Jacob as “a quiet man, dwelling in tents.” The word highlights a settled, peaceable disposition that contrasts Esau’s restless hunting. Far from weakness, Jacob’s “quiet” character becomes the soil in which covenant promises mature. His life shows that God’s redemptive plan often moves through those whose strength is inward rather than aggressive. Tabernacle Craftsmanship – Complete Frames (Exodus 26:24) Applied to the corner frames of the Tabernacle, תָּם depicts boards perfectly paired at top and bottom. The sanctuary’s integrity depends on components that fit without gap or flaw. The blameless life symbolized here foreshadows the necessity of purity for those who minister before the Lord and anticipates the Church as a dwelling “fitly framed together” in Christ (compare Ephesians 2:21). Job – The Paradigm of Blamelessness (Job 1–2; 8:20; 9:20-22) Job is introduced as “blameless and upright, fearing God and shunning evil” (Job 1:1). Heaven endorses the verdict: “‘There is no one on earth like him, a man who is blameless and upright’” (Job 1:8; 2:3). Job’s integrity is tested by catastrophe, challenged by friends and assaulted by his own anguish: The drama demonstrates that genuine blamelessness is not immunity from suffering but steadfast fear of God amid suffering. Job becomes a living prophecy of the Righteous Sufferer fulfilled in Jesus Christ. Wisdom Literature – Integrity Commended Psalm 37:37: “Consider the blameless and observe the upright, for a posterity awaits the man of peace.” Psalm 64:4 depicts the wicked ambushing the innocent, underscoring that blameless people may be targeted precisely because their lives expose evil. Proverbs 29:10: “Men of bloodshed hate a blameless man, but the upright care for his life.” Together these texts locate blamelessness at the heart of biblical wisdom: it brings lasting security, provokes hostility from the violent, and calls the righteous community to protective solidarity. Song of Songs – The Flawless Bride (Song of Songs 5:2; 6:9) The beloved is addressed as “my flawless one” and “my perfect one,” language that elevates covenant love to the realm of moral and relational wholeness. Traditionally interpreted as portraying Christ and His Church, these verses celebrate the work of grace that presents the bride “without spot or wrinkle” (Ephesians 5:27). Theological Themes 1. Integrity before God: Blamelessness is a relational category, defined not by sinless perfection but by wholehearted devotion and quick repentance. New Testament Parallels Greek terms such as teleios (“perfect,” Matthew 5:48) and amomos (“blameless,” Ephesians 1:4) echo תָּם. Believers are chosen “to be holy and blameless in His presence,” rooting the Old Testament ideal in Christ’s atoning work and the Spirit’s sanctifying power (Colossians 1:22). Ministry Implications • Pastoral Leadership: Elders must be “above reproach,” reflecting תָּם as a prerequisite for oversight. Key References Genesis 25:27; Exodus 26:24; Job 1:1, 8; Job 2:3; Job 8:20; Job 9:20-22; Psalm 37:37; Psalm 64:4; Proverbs 29:10; Song of Songs 5:2; Song of Songs 6:9 Forms and Transliterations תַמִּים֙ תַמָּתִ֔י תָ֑ם תָּ֑ם תָּ֔ם תָּ֥ם תָּ֧ם תָּ֭ם תָּֽם־ תם תם־ תמים תמתי Tam tām ṯām tām- ṯam·mā·ṯî ṯam·mîm tammaTi ṯammāṯî tamMim ṯammîmLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Genesis 25:27 HEB: וְיַעֲקֹב֙ אִ֣ישׁ תָּ֔ם יֹשֵׁ֖ב אֹהָלִֽים׃ NAS: but Jacob was a peaceful man, KJV: and Jacob [was] a plain man, INT: Jacob man was a peaceful living tents Exodus 26:24 Job 1:1 Job 1:8 Job 2:3 Job 8:20 Job 9:20 Job 9:21 Job 9:22 Psalm 37:37 Psalm 64:4 Proverbs 29:10 Songs 5:2 Songs 6:9 14 Occurrences |
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