Tamar — person in the Bible

Tamar

Woman living at the time of the Patriarchs

Tamar was Judah's daughter-in-law who, after being wronged by him, bore twin sons Perez and Zerah.

Also known as Thamar

Tamar was the daughter-in-law of Judah, married first to his son Er and then to Onan (Gen.38.6-11). After being wronged by Judah, Tamar disguised herself as a prostitute and conceived twins by him (Gen.38.13-24). She gave birth to Perez and Zerah, who became ancestors of the tribe of Judah (Gen.38.29-30; Rut.4.12; 1Ch.2.4). Tamar is praised for her righteousness in contrast to Judah (Gen.38.26). She is mentioned in the genealogy of Jesus (Mat.1.3).

Family

Connections

Four women in Matthew's genealogy

FamilyDebated

Matthew names Tamar, Rahab, Ruth and "the wife of Uriah" in a list otherwise of men. Tamar, Rahab and Ruth are likely non-Israelites or of irregular circumstances, and Bathsheba is named by Uriah. Commentators propose that Matthew highlights Gentile inclusion, scandal, or God's use of irregular paths.

TamarJudah's daughter-in-law who bore Perez and Zerah RahabA Canaanite woman who helped the Israelite spies in Jericho RuthMoabite woman BathshebaDavid's wife JesusSon of Joseph

Where the text shows it: Matt 1:3 — TamarMatt 1:5 — Rahab and RuthMatt 1:6 — The wife of Uriah

Ways people read this (3)

Gentile-inclusion view: the women are foreigners or associated with foreigners (Bathsheba as the wife of a Hittite).
Irregularity view: each woman stands in an ambiguous moral or marital situation.
Messianic-prophecy view: each story shows God working outside human expectation.

Sources: Matt 1:3 · Matt 1:5 · Matt 1:6

Judah and Tamar: a failed levirate and its consequence

FamilyStated in the text

Tamar married Judah's sons Er and Onan, both died, and Judah withheld Shelah. Tamar disguised herself and conceived twins by Judah himself. Judah admitted "She is more righteous than I," and his later conduct toward Benjamin shows a changed man.

JudahSon of Israel TamarJudah's daughter-in-law who bore Perez and Zerah ErSon of Judah OnanSon of Judah ShelahSon of Judah

Where the text shows it: Gen 38:6-10 — Er and Onan dieGen 38:14-19 — Tamar conceives through JudahGen 38:26 — Judah: "She is more righteous than I"Gen 44:33 — Judah offers himself in place of Benjamin

Sources: Gen 38:6-10 · Gen 38:14-19 · Gen 38:26 · Gen 44:33

Tamar to Perez to David to Jesus

FamilyStated in the text

Perez, son of Judah and Tamar, stands at the head of the line that reaches David (Ruth 4:18-22) and Jesus (Matt 1:3-6, Luke 3:33). Matthew names Tamar, Rahab, Ruth and Bathsheba, four women of unusual circumstances, in the genealogy.

TamarJudah's daughter-in-law who bore Perez and Zerah PerezSon of Judah JudahSon of Israel DavidKing of Judah JesusSon of Joseph

Where the text shows it: Gen 38:29 — Perez bornRuth 4:12 — Bethlehem wishes Ruth's house to be like the house of PerezRuth 4:18-22 — Perez to DavidMatt 1:3 — Judah fathered Perez and Zerah by TamarLuke 3:33 — Perez in Luke's genealogy

Sources: Gen 38:29 · Ruth 4:12 · Ruth 4:18-22 · Matt 1:3 · Luke 3:33

Where Tamar appears

7 verses in 4 books · English text: BSB (change it from the menu at the top) · Strong’s H8559

Names, family links and references: STEPBible TIPNR (Tyndale House Cambridge, CC BY 4.0). Short descriptions were drafted with AI assistance by STEPBible. Family links follow STEPBible’s scholarly decisions where genealogies are ambiguous.