Hebrew · Strong's H8552
תָּמַם
(tah-MAM)
verb
To complete, finish, or come to an end, often with a sense of totality or exhaustion, and can imply blamelessness or perfection.
The Hebrew verb *tamam* carries a broad semantic range related to completeness or totality. It can describe a process reaching its conclusion, whether good or bad, such as finishing a building project (1 Kings 6:22) or cutting pages from a scroll until it is consumed (Jeremiah 36:23). The usage often emphasizes the exhaustive nature of the action, indicating that nothing is left undone or unfulfilled. This can apply to the passing over a boundary, so that all have crossed (Joshua 4:1, 3:17), or the utter destruction of enemies in battle (Joshua 10:20).
Beyond simple completion, *tamam* can also connote perfection or blamelessness. In ethical contexts, to be *tamam* means to be upright and innocent, as seen in Psalm 19:13 where the speaker prays to be kept from sin in order to be "upright." This aspect connects to the idea of being "whole" or "sound," without defect. This sense of integrity makes it a significant term when discussing personal conduct and God's expectations for His people.
The theological weight of *tamam* lies in its portrayal of divine judgment and the fulfillment of God's purposes. When God "consumes" a nation (Jeremiah 27:8), it signifies the complete execution of His judgment. Similarly, when the "punishment of thine iniquity is accomplished" (Lamentations 4:22), it marks a definitive end to a period of suffering. The various renderings in English Bibles—such as "accomplish," "cease," "consume," "end," "fail," "perfect," and "upright"—highlight the diverse ways this single Hebrew verb encapsulates ideas of completion, exhaustion, and moral integrity within the biblical narrative.
Common English renderings
- accomplish
- cease
- be clean passed
- consume
- have done
- end
- fail
Key verses
"And the whole house he overlaid with gold, until all the house was finished: also the whole altar that belonged to the oracle he overlaid with gold."
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"And it came to pass, when Jehudi had read three or four leaves, that the king cut it with the penknife, and cast it into the fire that was in the brazier, until all the roll was consumed in the fire that was in the brazier."
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"Keep back thy servant also from presumptuous sins; Let them not have dominion over me: Then shall I be upright, And I shall be clear from great transgression."
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"And it came to pass, when all the nation were clean passed over the Jordan, that Jehovah spake unto Joshua, saying,"
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"And it came to pass, when Joshua and the children of Israel had made an end of slaying them with a very great slaughter, till they were consumed, and the remnant which remained of them had entered into the fortified cities,"
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"The punishment of thine iniquity is accomplished, O daughter of Zion; he will no more carry thee away into captivity: He will visit thine iniquity, O daughter of Edom; he will uncover thy sins."
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