She was wife of Er, son of the patriarch Judah, and mother of Perez and Zerah. She is listed in the family line of Jesus.
About Tamar
The wife of Er, the firstborn son of Judah by a Canaanitess. Later, as a widow, Tamar bore two sons to Judah named Perez and Zerah (Genesis 38:6–24; 1 Chronicles 2:4). Tamar continued the line of Judah through Perez (Ruth 4:12), and her name is recorded in the family list of Christ (Matthew 1:3).
See also Genealogy of Jesus Christ.
Family Relationships
Key References
Now Judah acquired a wife for Er, his firstborn, and her name was Tamar.
About three months later, Judah was told, “Your daughter-in-law Tamar has prostituted herself, and now she is pregnant.” “Bring her out!” Judah replied. “Let her be burned to death!”
Judah was the father of Perez and Zerah by Tamar, Perez the father of Hezron, and Hezron the father of Ram.
All Scripture References (7)
Genesis (4)
Now Judah acquired a wife for Er, his firstborn, and her name was Tamar.
Then Judah said to his daughter-in-law Tamar, “Live as a widow in your father’s house until my son Shelah grows up.” For he thought, “He may die too, like his brothers.” So Tamar went to live in her father’s house.
When Tamar was told, “Your father-in-law is going up to Timnah to shear his sheep,”
About three months later, Judah was told, “Your daughter-in-law Tamar has prostituted herself, and now she is pregnant.” “Bring her out!” Judah replied. “Let her be burned to death!”
Ruth (1)
And may your house become like the house of Perez, whom Tamar bore to Judah, because of the offspring the LORD will give you by this young woman.”
1 Chronicles (1)
Tamar, Judah’s daughter-in-law, bore to him Perez and Zerah. Judah had five sons in all.
Matthew (1)
Judah was the father of Perez and Zerah by Tamar, Perez the father of Hezron, and Hezron the father of Ram.