Tamar
Nationality not stated Lived in Canaan (nationality not stated) · Creation & Patriarchs · Old Testament
- Also called
- Thamar
- Name means
- Palm tree
- Role
- Daughter-in-law of Judah; ancestress of David
- When
- c. 1900 BC (traditional)
What they did
Widowed by Judah's sons Er and Onan and denied his son Shelah, she disguised herself and conceived twins by Judah. Judah confessed, 'She hath been more righteous than I.'
Why it matters: the purpose of their role
Through her son Pharez the royal line of David and of Christ continued; she is one of the women named in Matthew's genealogy of Jesus.
And Judah acknowledged them, and said, She hath been more righteous than I; because that I gave her not to Shelah my son. And he knew her again no more. Genesis 38:26 (KJV)
Bible references
And Judah took a wife for Er his firstborn, whose name was Tamar. Genesis 38:6 (KJV)
And Judah acknowledged them, and said, She hath been more righteous than I; because that I gave her not to Shelah my son. And he knew her again no more. Genesis 38:26 (KJV)
And let thy house be like the house of Pharez, whom Tamar bare unto Judah, of the seed which the LORD shall give thee of this young woman. Ruth 4:12 (KJV)
And Judas begat Phares and Zara of Thamar; and Phares begat Esrom; and Esrom begat Aram; Matthew 1:3 (KJV)
Family
- Spouse(s)
- Er, Onan
- Children
- Pharez, Zarah
Her twins were fathered by Judah (Genesis 38:27-30). Pharez is honoured in the blessing of Ruth 4:12.