King James Bible Dictionary

HON'EST, adjective on'est. [Latin honestus, from honos, honor.]

1. Upright; just; fair in dealing with others; free from trickishness and fraud; acting and having the disposition to act at all times according to justice or correct moral principles; applied to persons.

An honest man's the noblest work of God.

An honest physician leaves his patient, when he can contribute no farther to his health.

2. Fair; just; equitable; free from fraud; as an honest transaction; an honest transfer of property.

3. Frank; sincere; unreserved; according to truth; as an honest confession.

4. Sincere; proceeding from pure or just principles, or directed to a good object; as an honest inquiry after truth; an honest endeavor; honest views or motives.

5. Fair; good; unimpeached.

Seek seven men of honest report. Acts 6:3.

6. Decent; honorable; or suitable.

Provide things honest in the sight of all men. Romans 12:17.

7. Chaste; faithful.

Wives may be merry, and yet honest too.

HON'EST, verb transitive on'est. To adorn; to grace. [Not used.]

HONESTA'TION, noun Adornment; grace. [Not used.]

HON'ESTLY, adverb on'estly. Uprightly; justly; with integrity and fairness; as a contract honestly made.

1. With frank sincerity; without fraud or disguise; according to truth; as, to confess honestly one's real design.

2. By upright means; with upright conduct; as, to live honestly

3. Chastely; with conjugal loyalty and fidelity.

General references
Leviticus 19:35-36; Deuteronomy 16:20; Deuteronomy 25:13-16; Job 27:6; Psalms 7:3-4; Psalms 15:5; Psalms 24:4; Proverbs 4:25; Proverbs 11:1; Proverbs 12:22; Proverbs 16:11; Proverbs 20:10; Proverbs 20:23; Isaiah 33:15-16; Ezekiel 45:10; Mark 10:19; Luke 3:12-13; Luke 6:31; Matthew 7:12; Acts 24:16; 2 Corinthians 4:1-2; 2 Corinthians 7:2; 2 Corinthians 8:21; Philippians 4:8; Colossians 3:22; 1 Thessalonians 4:11-12; Hebrews 13:18; 1 Peter 2:12

Instances of:

Jacob, returning money placed in the sacks
Genesis 43:12

The overseers of the temple repairs
2 Kings 12:15; 2 Kings 22:4-7

Treasurers of the temple
Nehemiah 13:13
Integrity; Righteousness; Dishonesty

HON'ESTY, noun on'esty. [Latin honestas.]

1. In principle, an upright disposition; moral rectitude of heart; a disposition to conform to justice and correct moral principles, in all social transactions. In fact, upright conduct; an actual conformity to justice and moral rectitude.

2. Fairness; candor; truth; as the honesty of a narrative.

3. Frank sincerity.

Honesty is chiefly applicable to social transactions, or mutual dealings in the exchange of property.