hōl , hōl´sum : "Whole," originally "hale" (a word still in poetic use), had at first the meaning now expressed by its derivative "healthy." In this sense "whole" is fairly common ( Job 5:18 , etc.) in English Versions of the Bible, although much more common in the New Testament than in the Old Testament. From this meaning "healthy," the transition to the modern force. "complete," "perfect," "entire" (Exodus 12:6 , ere) was not unnatural, and it is in this later sense alone that the adverb "wholly" (Leviticus 6:22 , etc.) is used. "Wholesome," however, is derived from the earlier meaning of "whole." It occurs in Proverbs 15:4 , the King James Version, the English Revised Version, "a wholesome tongue" (רפא , rāphā' , "heal," the Revised Version margin "the healing of the tongue," the American Standard Revised Version "a gentle tongue"), and in 1 Timothy 6:3 , the King James Version "wholesome words" (ὑγιαίνω , hugiaı́nō , "be healthy," the Revised Version margin "healthful," the Revised Version (British and American) "sound").
The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (ISBE) was edited by James Orr, John Nuelsen, Edgar Mullins, Morris Evans, and Melvin Grove Kyle and was published complete in 1939. This web site includes the complete text.
WikipediaThe ISBE is a classic Bible reference compiled from nearly 10,000 entries written by over 200 different Bible scholars and teachers. In addition to the encyclopedia articles, all of the major words of the Bible are represented and defined.
The historical, cultural, and linguistic information in the ISBE can be of great value in Bible study and research.
But as with any writings of men, the careful student of the Bible must always compare them with Scripture. As you use this helpful study resource, remember that only God's word is pure.
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