Tamar (1)
ta'-mar (tamar, "palm"; Codex Vaticanus Themar; Codex Alexandrinus Thamar (so Codex Vaticanus in Genesis)):
⇒See a list of verses on TAMAR in the Bible.
(1) The wife of Er, the oldest son of Judah (Ge 38:6 ff). Upon her husband's death under the displeasure of Yahweh, his brother Onan ought to have performed the husband's part, but he evaded his duty in this respect, and likewise perished. Shelah, the next brother, was promised to her, but not given. This led Tamar to the extraordinary course narrated in Ge 38:13 ff, on which see JUDAH. By her father-in-law she became the mother of Perez and Zerah (the King James Version "Pharez and Zarah"). Judah, who at first condemned her to be burned (Ge 38:24), was compelled to vindicate her (Ge 38:25-26). Through Perez she became an ancestress of Jesus (Thamar, Mt 1:3).
(2) A daughter of David and sister of Absalom (2Sa 13:1 ff). Her beauty inflamed her half-brother Amnon with passion, and by stratagem he forcibly violated her. This brought upon Amnon the terrible revenge of Absalom.
⇒See also the McClintock and Strong Biblical Cyclopedia.
(3) A daughter of Absalom (2Sa 14:27).
See MAACAH.
James Orr
