Christian Perfection: Old Testament Words and Verses

by David Cox

Study on the word "Perfect" in Scriptures

"perfect" occurs 99x in KJV, perfected 8x, perfecting 2x, perfection 11x, perfectly 7x

Old Testament Words

[8535 tam] - adj. Complete. 1. complete, perfect. 2. sound, wholesome. 3. complete, morally innocent, having integrity. noun. completeness, integrity. 1. completeness, fullness. 2. innocence, simplicity, plainness. 3. integrity.

This word basically is used for integrity and simplicity. This appears to be someone who is not deceptive and "complicated" weaving the truth around what he wishes to gain or achieve, not deceptive representing himself as one thing and being another (hypocrite). Someone simple and wholesome.

Job is a curious case of perfection. In Job 1:1,8 and 2:3, God himself taunts Satan with Job's "perfection". Yet in Job 9:20-22, Job insists that if Job asserts that he is "tam", that the very fact of saying you are perfect means you are not. Yet in Psa 37:37 God commands us to mark the perfect man, and Psa 64:4 speaks of the wicked who "shoot at the perfect". Our concept of perfection has to be one where only God can evaluate and assign the quality of "perfect", and man can never pronoun his own perfection.

 

[8549 tamiym] 90x - adj. complete sound. 1. complete, whole, entire. 2. whole, sound healthful. 3. complete, entire. 4. sound, wholesome, unimpaired, innocent, without blemish, having integrity. 5. what is complete, entirely in accord with truth and fact.

This word has a strong sense of without blemish or something that would impair its acceptability for sacrifice on the altar. Isa 18:5 speaks of "the bud is perfect", speaking of something which is not fully mature, but is healthy and it is where is should be in it's own development.

2 Sam 22:24, 26 are key verses, God will show himself tamiym with those who are tamiym. The idea is probably then healthy and full, complete.  Something that is what it is supposed to be, fulfilling its obligations and responsibilities. The word "upright," being what one is supposed to be, is probably the best translation. Also Satan is said to be "perfect" until iniquity was found in him (Ezek 28:15). So the concept of perfection presented by this word is something that is maintained by the individual, and can be lost.

In Gen 17:1 and Deu 18:13 God commands individuals to be perfect "with the Lord." David says that God is who makes his way perfect (2Sam 22:31 "God makes his way perfect", Psa 18:32; Psa 101:6). Equally Job (22:3) questions the if God is impacted by your being righteous or you making your ways perfect. This would make the concept something which man can comply with in some way, but by God working in the person, and the person is also responsible for this perfection. In fact, several biblical characters are said to be perfect Noah (Gen 6:9). God promises only the perfect shall remain in the land (Pro 2:21). Psa 101:6 also says that only those who "walketh in a perfect way, he shall serve me" (David speaking). Prov 11:5 makes the observation that the "righteousness of the perfect shall direct his way". This would indicate perhaps that righteousness is what creates perfection within a person.

There is a preference of associating "perfect" [8549 tamiym] with way, road, or manner of living. 2Sam 22:31, Job 22:3, Psa 18:30; Pro 11:5. This is especially true of the way of the Lord, which is presented to us to follow, or walk in it. Psa 19:7 declares the "law of the Lord" is perfect, and this perfection causes the conversion of souls.

But note it is used with [8535 tam] in Psa 101:2 with a tamiym way and tam heart. Job 36:4 and 37:16 speaks of a person "perfect in knowledge".

[8003 shalem] - verb. to be complete, sound. 1. complete, finish (temple). 2. to make safe. 3. to make whole or good, restore a thing lost. 4. make good, i.e. pay vows. 5. requite, recompense, reward. Pual 1. be performed of a vow. 2. be repaid, requited. hiphel - 1. complete, perform, 2. make an end of.

"Perfect peace" Isa 26:3.

There is a definite preference of associating "perfect" [8003 shalem] with heart.
1Chr 28:9; 1Kings 8:60; 1Kings 11:4; 1Kings 15:14; 2 Kings 20:3; 1Chron 12:38; 1Chron 29:18; 2Chron 19:6; 1Kings 11:4; 1Kings 15:14; 1Kings 15:3; 2Chr 16:9; 2Chron 25:1

Hezekiah presented his own life in pleading with God, "how I have walked before thee in truth and with a perfect heart" Isa 38:1. This perfection would be something that the individual is responsible for it, and the individual himself can recognize it.

Isaiah makes an argument against those who worship graven images which are blind and dumb Isa 42:14. He says, "Who is blind as he that is perfect?" The idea is that perfect blindness of God's children refuse to worship graven images.

[1585 gemar] - verb. end, come to an end, complete. 1. be no more. 2. bring to an end, complete.

[8503 takliyth] - end, perfection, consummation, completion, completeness. Psa 139:22 perfect hatred.

[3632 kaliyl] entire, perfect, entirety, whole, burnt offering. Ezek 16:14 perfect beauty, 27:3 perfect beauty, 27:11 perfect beauty, 28:12 perfect beauty.