Tamar: Wife of the Sons of Judah
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Tamar is a significant figure in the Old Testament, known for her role in the lineage of the tribe of Judah. Her account is primarily found in Genesis 38, where she is depicted as a woman of resilience and determination. Tamar's narrative is intertwined with themes of justice, righteousness, and the fulfillment of God's promises.

Background and Marriage to Er

Tamar was originally married to Er, the firstborn son of Judah. The Bible describes Er as wicked in the sight of the LORD, and as a result, the LORD put him to death (Genesis 38:7). This left Tamar a widow without children, a precarious position in the ancient Near Eastern context, where lineage and inheritance were of utmost importance.

Levirate Marriage and Onan

Following the custom of levirate marriage, Judah instructed his second son, Onan, to marry Tamar and raise offspring for his deceased brother. However, Onan was unwilling to produce offspring that would not be considered his own. The Bible states, "But Onan knew that the offspring would not be his; so whenever he lay with his brother’s wife, he spilled his seed on the ground to avoid providing offspring for his brother" (Genesis 38:9). This act displeased the LORD, and He put Onan to death as well (Genesis 38:10).

Judah's Promise and Tamar's Deception

Judah then promised Tamar that she could marry his youngest son, Shelah, when he came of age. However, fearing for Shelah's life, Judah delayed fulfilling this promise. Tamar, realizing that she was being denied her right to continue the family line, took matters into her own hands. She disguised herself as a prostitute and seduced Judah, who did not recognize her. As a pledge for payment, Judah gave her his seal, cord, and staff (Genesis 38:18).

The Revelation and Acknowledgment

When Tamar's pregnancy became known, Judah initially condemned her to death for immorality. However, Tamar presented the items Judah had given her, revealing that he was the father of her child. Judah acknowledged his wrongdoing, saying, "She is more righteous than I, since I did not give her to my son Shelah" (Genesis 38:26). This acknowledgment highlights the themes of justice and righteousness, as Judah recognized Tamar's actions as a pursuit of her rightful place in the family lineage.

The Birth of Perez and Zerah

Tamar gave birth to twins, Perez and Zerah. The birth of Perez is particularly significant, as he becomes an ancestor of King David and, ultimately, Jesus Christ, as noted in the genealogies found in the Gospels (Matthew 1:3; Luke 3:33). Tamar's inclusion in the genealogy of Christ underscores the importance of her account in the broader narrative of redemption and God's sovereign plan.

Legacy

Tamar's account is a testament to her courage and determination to secure her place within the covenant community. Her actions, though unconventional, were driven by a desire to uphold the family line and ensure the continuation of Judah's lineage. Through Tamar, God's providential care and the unfolding of His redemptive plan are vividly illustrated, as she becomes a pivotal link in the genealogy leading to the Messiah.
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Genesis 38:6-24
And Judah took a wife for Er his firstborn, whose name was Tamar.
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Ruth 4:12
And let your house be like the house of Pharez, whom Tamar bore to Judah, of the seed which the LORD shall give you of this young woman.
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1 Chronicles 2:4
And Tamar his daughter in law bore him Pharez and Zerah. All the sons of Judah were five.
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Library

The Testament of Judah Concerning Fortitude, and Love of Money ...
... the eyes of all I turned aside unto Tamar, and I ... of God, and I took a woman of Canaan
to wife. ... fall into wickedness; for even wise men among my sons shall they ...
/.../iv the testament of judah concerning.htm

Chapter xxxviii
... name meaning perhaps "opulence") has a daughter, whom Judah takes to wife. ... Three
sons are born of this union ... in the matter of giving Shelah to Tamar is possible ...
/.../leupold/exposition of genesis volume 1/chapter xxxviii.htm

The Book of Jubilees
... slain because he would not receive the wife offered him ... of his sin with his
daughter-in-law Tamar. ... family; and the patriarch, with his three sons, Levi, Judah ...
//christianbookshelf.org/deane/pseudepigrapha/the book of jubilees.htm

Genealogy of Jesus According to Matthew.
... and Zerah [these two were twins] of Tamar [she was ... Solomon of her that had been the
wife [the adulteress ... uncles, Jehoahaz and Zedekiah, the three sons of Josiah ...
/.../mcgarvey/the four-fold gospel/iii genealogy of jesus according.htm

The Testaments of the Twelve Patriarchs.
... and the episode with his daughter-in-law Tamar. ... brought to his father concerning
the sons of Bilhah ... While he was thus placed, Potiphar's wife happened to see ...
//christianbookshelf.org/deane/pseudepigrapha/the testaments of the twelve.htm

Scriptural Poems; Being Several Portions of Scripture Digested ...
... was the house of Pharez heretofore, (Pharez, whom Tamar unto Judah ... So he took Ruth,
and as his wife he knew ... well And in thy sight doth seven sons excel, Hath ...
/.../scriptural poems being several portions.htm

Faustus States his Objections to the Morality of the Law and the ...
... she had been married to two of his sons, deceived, we are told, by the harlot's
dress which Tamar put on ... having a number of wives, seduced the wife of his ...
/.../faustus states his objections to.htm

Letter cxxiii. To Ageruchia.
... a type of the church, [3277] Noah brings in for his three sons one wife apiece and ...
Judah went in to Tamar thinking her to be a harlot; [3281] and according ...
/.../jerome/the principal works of st jerome/letter cxxiii to ageruchia.htm

Index of Subjects.
... 31. Er and Onan, sons of Tamar, types, [237]306. Eschatology ... 32. Hosea, commanded
to take to him a "wife of whoredoms," [402]304, [403]308. ...
/.../writings in connection with the donatist controversy /index of subjects.htm

Against Jovinianus.
... When Noah entered into it, both he and his sons were separated from ... 4360] Then the
wife whom he ... But I wonder why he set [4361] Judah and Tamar before us for an ...
/.../jerome/the principal works of st jerome/against jovinianus.htm

Resources
Who was Judah in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

Who was Absalom in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

What is onanism? Is onanism a sin? | GotQuestions.org

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Subtopics

Tamar

Tamar: A City of Unknown Location

Tamar: Daughter of Absalom

Tamar: Daughter of David

Tamar: Wife of the Sons of Judah

Tamar: Wife of the Sons of Judah: Called Thamar

Related Terms

Baal-tamar (1 Occurrence)

Hazezon-tamar (2 Occurrences)

Hazazon-tamar (2 Occurrences)

Amnon (23 Occurrences)

Ab'salom (85 Occurrences)

Hazezontamar (1 Occurrence)

Hazazontamar (1 Occurrence)

Daughter-in-law (16 Occurrences)

Pharez (11 Occurrences)

Amnon's (5 Occurrences)

Perez (19 Occurrences)

Tadmor (2 Occurrences)

Maachah (19 Occurrences)

Baaltamar (1 Occurrence)

Cities (427 Occurrences)

Ciccar

Absalom's (16 Occurrences)

Palm (49 Occurrences)

Haz'azon-ta'mar (2 Occurrences)

Zerah (22 Occurrences)

Abijah (32 Occurrences)

Absalom (93 Occurrences)

Sister (113 Occurrences)

Cakes (65 Occurrences)

Plain (113 Occurrences)

Violated (23 Occurrences)

Jonadab (11 Occurrences)

Jon'adab (11 Occurrences)

Groweth (29 Occurrences)

Grows (46 Occurrences)

Wadi (11 Occurrences)

En-gedi (6 Occurrences)

Er (8 Occurrences)

Engedi (6 Occurrences)

Meribath-kadesh (4 Occurrences)

Meribah-kadesh (3 Occurrences)

Maacah (30 Occurrences)

Meribath-ka'desh (2 Occurrences)

Meriboth-kadesh (2 Occurrences)

Pherez (11 Occurrences)

Peradventure (35 Occurrences)

Bedroom (8 Occurrences)

Ab'salom's (5 Occurrences)

Grown (77 Occurrences)

Kadesh (30 Occurrences)

En (19 Occurrences)

Tree (245 Occurrences)

Hazazon (2 Occurrences)

Feared (134 Occurrences)

Widow (71 Occurrences)

Meribah (11 Occurrences)

Ashes (44 Occurrences)

Becomes (138 Occurrences)

Dwelleth (142 Occurrences)

Forced (84 Occurrences)

Southward (42 Occurrences)

Dwelt (307 Occurrences)

Chamber (73 Occurrences)

Inner (141 Occurrences)

Perhaps (89 Occurrences)

Torrent (49 Occurrences)

Dish (54 Occurrences)

Beautiful (152 Occurrences)

Ill (137 Occurrences)

Sick (117 Occurrences)

Daughter (320 Occurrences)

David's (142 Occurrences)

Abide (162 Occurrences)

Shelah (18 Occurrences)

Strife (71 Occurrences)

Fair (147 Occurrences)

Proper (62 Occurrences)

Dress (38 Occurrences)

Seem (115 Occurrences)

Room (174 Occurrences)

King's (375 Occurrences)

Boundary (83 Occurrences)

Relationships (1 Occurrence)

Tamar: Daughter of David
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