Topical Encyclopedia Tamar is a significant figure in the biblical narrative, known for her complex and controversial account found in Genesis 38. She was the daughter-in-law of Judah, one of the twelve sons of Jacob. Tamar's account is one of perseverance and boldness, set against the backdrop of ancient customs and familial obligations.Background and Context Tamar was married to Er, Judah's firstborn son. However, Er was wicked in the sight of the LORD, and the LORD put him to death (Genesis 38:7). Following the levirate marriage custom, Judah instructed his second son, Onan, to marry Tamar to produce offspring for his deceased brother. Onan, however, refused to fulfill this duty, and the LORD also put him to death for his actions (Genesis 38:9-10). Judah then promised Tamar that she could marry his youngest son, Shelah, when he came of age. However, fearing for Shelah's life, Judah did not fulfill this promise, leaving Tamar in a state of limbo and without the means to secure her future or her deceased husband's lineage. Tamar's Bold Action In response to Judah's failure to uphold his promise, Tamar took matters into her own hands. She disguised herself as a prostitute and positioned herself at Enaim, where she knew Judah would pass by. Judah, not recognizing her, solicited her services, and Tamar requested a pledge from him—a seal, cord, and staff—until he could send her a young goat as payment (Genesis 38:14-18). Tamar's actions, while deceptive, were driven by her determination to secure her place and fulfill her duty within the family. Her boldness highlights the desperation and limited options available to women in her cultural context. The Revelation and Outcome When Judah later learned that Tamar was pregnant, he initially condemned her to death for adultery. However, Tamar revealed the items Judah had given her as a pledge, proving that he was the father of her child. Confronted with the evidence, Judah acknowledged his wrongdoing, saying, "She is more righteous than I, since I did not give her to my son Shelah" (Genesis 38:26). Tamar gave birth to twins, Perez and Zerah. Perez would become an ancestor of King David and, ultimately, Jesus Christ, as noted in the genealogies of Matthew 1:3 and Luke 3:33. Theological and Moral Considerations Tamar's account is often examined for its moral and theological implications. Her actions, while seemingly transgressive, are portrayed within the narrative as a means of securing justice and fulfilling familial obligations. Judah's acknowledgment of Tamar's righteousness suggests a recognition of his own failure to uphold his responsibilities. Tamar's inclusion in the genealogy of Jesus underscores the theme of God's grace and redemption throughout the biblical narrative. Her account serves as a reminder of the complex roles women played in biblical history and the ways in which God worked through unexpected and unconventional means to fulfill His purposes. Nave's Topical Index Genesis 38:14-24And she put her widow's garments off from her, and covered her with a veil, and wrapped herself, and sat in an open place, which is by the way to Timnath; for she saw that Shelah was grown, and she was not given to him to wife. Nave's Topical Index Library The Son of the Maker is Like unto his Father as Maker! Letter cxxiii. To Ageruchia. Letter cxlvii. To Sabinianus. Faustus States his Objections to the Morality of the Law and the ... Letter xxii. To Eustochium. Doctrinal and Moral Treatises. Index of Subjects. Against Jovinianus. The Book of Jubilees The Hebrews and the Philistines --Damascus Scriptural Poems; Being Several Portions of Scripture Digested ... Resources What does the Bible have to say about women missionaries? | GotQuestions.orgWhat can we learn from what the Bible says about Jesus and women? | GotQuestions.org Since women preachers can be just as good as men, doesn't that mean they are called to preach? | GotQuestions.org Women: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Subtopics Women are Courteous to Strangers Women are Tender to Her offspring Women of the Body (Ekklesia) of Christ Women: A Persian Queen Sat on a Throne Beside Her King Women: Active in Instigating to Iniquity Women: As Prophets: Philip's Four Unmarried Daughters Women: Athaliah, in Destroying the Royal Household and Usurping the Throne Women: Bath-Sheba, in Her Adultery, in Becoming the Wife of Her Husband's Murderer Women: Consecrated Jewels to Tabernacle Women: Converted by Preaching of Paul Women: Could not Marry Without the Consent of Parents Women: Deborah, a Judge, Prophetess, and Military Leader Women: Delilah, in Her Conspiracy Against Samson Women: Difference in Ceremonies Made Between Male and Female Children Women: Dinah, in Her Fornication Women: Eve, in Yielding to Temptation and Seducing Her Husband Women: Fall of, and Curse Upon Women: First to Whom the Risen Lord Appeared Women: Fond of Self-Indulgence Women: Forbidden to Wear Men's Costume Women: Gomer, the Adulterous Wife of Hosea Women: had Separate Apartments in Dwellings Women: Haman's Wife, in Advising Him to Hang Mordecai Women: Hannah, the Mother of Samuel Women: Help in Defensive Operations Women: Herodias, in Her Incestuous Marriage With Herod Antipas Women: Herodius, by Indirectly Causing John the Baptist to be Decapitated Women: Jezebel, in Her Conspiracy Against Naboth, to Cheat Him out of his Vineyard Women: Jezebel, in Her Evil Counsels To, and Influence Over, Ahab Women: Jezebel, in Her Persecution and Destruction of the Prophets of the Lord Women: Jezebel, in Her Persecution of Elijah Women: Job's Wife, in Suggesting to Him That he Curse God and Die Women: Leah, in Her Imitation of Rachel in the Matter of Children Women: Lot's Wife, in Her Rebellion Against Her Situation, and Against the Destruction of Sodom Women: Michal, in Her Derision of David's Religious Zeal Women: Miriam, in Her Sedition With Aaron Against Moses Women: Not to be Given in Marriage Was Considered a Calamity Women: Patriotic: The Women of Israel Women: Patriotic: The Women of the Philistines Women: Peninnah, the Wife of Elkanah, in Her Jealous Taunting of Hannah Women: Potiphar's Wife, in Her Lascivious Lust and Slander Against Joseph Women: Property Rights of in Inheritance Women: Property Rights of To Sell Real Estate Women: Punishment for Seducing, when not Betrothed Women: Punishment to be Inflicted Upon Men for Seducing, when Betrothed Women: Purifications of After Childbirth Women: Purifications of After Menstruation Women: Rachel, in Her Jealousy of Leah Women: Rachel, in Stealing Images Women: Religious Privileges of, Among Early Christians Women: Required to Attend to the Reading of the Law of Moses Women: Rules for Dress of Christian Women: Sapphira, in Her Blasphemous Falsehood Women: Sarah, in Her Jealousy and Malice Toward Hagar Women: Silly, and Easily Led Into Error Women: Social Status of in Persia Women: Social Status of in Roman Customs Women: Sold for Husband's Debts Women: Solomon's Wives, in Their Idolatrous and Wicked Influence Over Solomon Women: Symbolical of Wickedness Women: Tended Flocks and Herds Women: The Cannibalistic Mothers of Samaria Women: The Daughters of Lot, in Their Incestuous Lust Women: The Midianite Woman in the Camp of Israel, Taken in Adultery Women: The Philippian Christians Women: The Shunammite Woman, Who Gave Hospitality to Elisha Women: The Sodomites of the Southern Kingdom (Judah) Women: The Widow Who Put Her Two Mite (Small Coins, Greek: Leptas) Into the Treasury Women: The Woman Caught in the Act of Adultery and Brought to Jesus in the Temple Women: Took Part in Ancient Worship Women: Treated With Cruelty in War Women: Unclassified Scriptures Relating To Women: Virtuous, Held in High Estimation Women: Wicked: Commits Forgery Women: Wicked: Full of Deceit and Licentiousness Women: Wicked: Silly and Wayward Women: Wicked: Zeal of, in Licentious Practices of Idolatry Women: Widow of Zarephath, Who Fed Elijah During the Famine Women: Worshiped in Separate Compartments Women: Zealous in Promoting Superstition and Idolatry Women: Zipporah, in Her Persecution of Moses on Account of his Religious Obligations Related Terms Women-servants (21 Occurrences) |
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