Genesis 38:6 — Word Study
WLCוַיִּקַּ֧ח יְהוּדָ֛ה אִשָּׁ֖ה לְעֵ֣ר בְּכוֹר֑וֹ וּשְׁמָ֖הּ תָּמָֽר׃
BSANow JudahYᵉhûwdâh [the fourth son of Jacob] acquiredlâqach▸ [took, got, or obtained] a wifeʼishshâh [woman, female companion] for ErʻÊr [his firstborn son] his firstbornbᵉkôwr [oldest child, heir] and her nameshêm [identity, character] was TamarTâmâr [meaning palm tree]
| Greek | English | Parsing |
|---|---|---|
| וַיִּקַּ֧ח | and he took | Verb, Qal, sequential imperfect third person masculine singular |
| יְהוּדָ֛ה | Judah | Noun proper masculine |
| אִשָּׁ֖ה | a wife | Noun common, feminine singular absolute |
| לְעֵ֣ר | for Er | Preposition, noun proper masculine |
| בְּכוֹר֑וֹ | firstborn his | Noun common masculine singular construct, suffix |
| וּשְׁמָ֖הּ | and name her | Conjunction, noun common masculine singular construct, suffix |
| תָּמָֽר׃ | [was] Tamar | Noun proper feminine |
Every word in the verse. Click a row to open it in the panel on the left.
| BSB | Now Judah acquired a wife for Er, his firstborn, and her name was Tamar. |
| KJV | And Judah took a wife for Er his firstborn, whose name was Tamar. |
| ASV | And Judah took a wife for Er his first-born, and her name was Tamar. |
| YLT | And Judah taketh a wife for Er, his first-born, and her name [is] Tamar; |
| WEB | Judah took a wife for Er, his firstborn, and her name was Tamar. |
| BBE | And Judah took a wife for his first son Er, and her name was Tamar. |
Where they part company is וַיִּקַּ֧ח — see How Translations Differ.
The sentence has one main clause and two subordinate phrases, clearly outlining the action and its subjects.
4 commentators on this verse
Gill, Jamieson, Trapp, Cambridge & more — read them ›
clause
subjectיְהוּדָה
verbלָקַח
The sentence as the grammar sees it Open the tree ›
Every word here is used elsewhere in the Old Testament.
Bars are logarithmic — אֵת, the commonest word in the Hebrew Bible, stands about 11,000 times, so a linear scale would leave everything else invisible. Click a row to open that word.
Deep Study — Genesis 38:6
Sections marked generated are written from the data on this page rather than by a named author. Everything else — the lexicon entries, the cross references, the manuscript readings, the counts — is quoted from its source unchanged.
Context — The Family of Judahgenerated
Genesis 38:6 describes how Judah, one of Jacob's sons, took a wife for his firstborn son, Er. This act is significant as it establishes the lineage and family dynamics that unfold in the narrative. Following this, we learn about the fate of Er and the implications for Tamar, his wife, which are explored in the subsequent verses.
Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Genesis 21:21 | And while he was dwelling in the Wilderness of Paran, his mother got a wife for him from the land of Egypt. |
| 2 | Genesis 24:3 | and I will have you swear by the LORD, the God of heaven and the God of earth, that you will not take a wife for my son from the daughters of the Canaanites among whom I am dwelling, |
| 3 | Matthew 1:3 | Judah was the father of Perez and Zerah by Tamar, Perez the father of Hezron, and Hezron the father of Ram. |
The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 3 references, hung on the phrase they belong to
The Key Word — וַיִּקַּ֧ח, vai.yi.Kachgenerated
The verb לָקַח (*laqach*) means 'to take' and encompasses various actions like receiving or capturing. In this context, it indicates Judah's action of acquiring a wife for his son, which is a common practice in biblical narratives to ensure lineage and family continuity.
The parsing of the verb as a sequential imperfect third person masculine singular indicates that this action is part of a narrative sequence, emphasizing Judah's role in the unfolding events concerning his family.
How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated
This study reads the verse in the Berean Standard Bible, so the BSB is the wording every comparison below is made against.
Sentence Structuregenerated
The main verb וַיִּקַּ֧ח, and he took, governs the sentence, with a noun phrase indicating the subject, Judah, and another noun phrase indicating the object, a wife. The structure is straightforward, with the action clearly attributed to Judah.
The sentence structure is typical of Hebrew prose, where the subject and verb are prominent, followed by the object, allowing for a clear understanding of the action being described.
Septuagint Backgroundgenerated
The Septuagint translates וַיִּקַּ֧ח as ἔλαβεν (*elaben*), meaning 'he took.' This choice aligns closely with the Hebrew meaning but can imply a more formal or legal acquisition, reflecting the translators' understanding of the cultural context.
This translation choice emphasizes the act of taking in a way that resonates with the Greek-speaking audience, who may interpret the action through a different cultural lens.
In plain words — the whole versegenerated
Genesis 38:6 tells us that Judah took a wife for his firstborn son, Er, and her name was Tamar. This act is part of the story of Judah's family and sets up important events that follow.
Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated
Judah acquired a wife for Er to ensure the continuation of his family line, which was a common practice in ancient cultures.
The name Tamar means 'palm tree' and is significant in the context of her character and story.
Tamar becomes a key figure in the lineage of Judah, and her story unfolds dramatically in the following verses.
This verse introduces a critical family relationship that impacts the lineage of Judah and the unfolding biblical narrative.
Reflection Questionsgenerated
- What can we learn about family responsibilities from Judah's actions in this verse?
- How does the name Tamar reflect her identity and role in the story?
- In what ways does this verse set the stage for future events in the narrative?
- What significance do you see in the practice of acquiring a wife for the firstborn son?
Commentators on this verse — 4 expositors, verse by verse
Each of these wrote on Genesis 38:6 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.
John Gill1697–1771Gill's Exposition of the Entire BibleAnd Judah took a wife for Er his firstborn,.... Chose one for him, and presented her to him for his liking, whom he approving of married: whose name [was] Tamar; which signifies a "palm tree": the
Read John Gill on Genesis 38 →Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's CommentaryAnd Judah took a wife for Er his firstborn, whose name was Tamar. Judah took a wife for Er (waking, watchful) ... whose name was Tamar - i:e., palm tree, meaning probably that she was tall and erect.
Read Robert Jamieson on Genesis 38 →John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New TestamentsGenesis 38:6 And Judah took a wife for Er his firstborn, whose name [was] Tamar.Ver. 6. And Judah took a wife for Er.] When he was but fourteen years of age, as appears by the Chronicle, seven years after the selling of Joseph. And here it is well observed, that though Judah took a wife without his father’ s consent, yet he will not have Er to do so. Musculus.
Read John Trapp on Genesis 38 →CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges6. Tamar] = “a date palm.” A female name, occurring twice in the family of David (2 Samuel 13:1; 2 Samuel 14:27). Judah, as head of the family, selects a wife for his firstborn, as in Genesis 24:3, Genesis 34:4.
Read Cambridge on Genesis 38 →The verse in English, compared — 17 translations, and where they part company
Every translation on this page is a decision someone had to make and commit to. Read down a column and you see one translator's judgement; read across a row and you see the range the Greek actually allows. The BSB is the wording the rest of this page is measured against, so it is listed first.
Modern formal
Now Judah acquired a wife for Er, his firstborn, and her name was Tamar.
Judah took a wife for Er, his firstborn, and her name was Tamar.
Now Judah acquired a wife for Er, his firstborn, and her name was Tamar.
Judah acquired a wife for Er his firstborn; her name was Tamar.
Tyndale line
And Judah took a wife for Er his firstborn, whose name was Tamar.
And Judah took a wife for Er his first-born, and her name was Tamar.
And Judah took a wife for Er his firstborn, and her name was Tamar.
And Judah took a wife for Er his first-born, whose name was Tamar.
Then Iudah tooke a wife to Er his first borne sonne whose name was Tamar.
Strictly literal
And Judah took a wife for Er his firstborn, and her name was Tamar.
And Judah taketh a wife for Er, his first-born, and her name [is] Tamar;
And Judah takes a wife for Er, his firstborn, and her name [is] Tamar;
And Judah took a wife for 'Er his first-born, whose name was Tamar.
Judah found a wife for Er, his firstborn. Her name was Tamar.
From the Latin
And Juda took a wife for Her his firstborn, whose name was Thamar.
Simplified
Much later, Judah arranged for Er, his firstborn son, to marry a woman named Tamar.
And Judah took a wife for his first son Er, and her name was Tamar.
Counted from the translations carried on this site, not from a survey of every English Bible. A rendering shared by many versions is usually inherited rather than independently arrived at — the Tyndale line in particular runs through most of them.
The sentence as the grammar sees it — from the MACULA Hebrew treebank
This is not our own analysis: it is the scholarly syntax tree for the verse, showing how the clause actually holds together.
Boxes are the grammarian's groupings — clause, noun phrase, prepositional phrase.
The four witnesses to this verse — Masoretic, Septuagint, Samaritan, Qumran
The Septuagint and the Samaritan Pentateuch agree with the Masoretic Text, word for word, indicating consistency across these ancient witnesses regarding this verse.
וַיִּקַּ֧ח יְהוּדָ֛ה אִשָּׁ֖ה לְעֵ֣ר בְּכוֹר֑וֹ וּשְׁמָ֖הּ תָּמָֽר׃
7 of the 7 words are matched. This is the word-by-word correspondence, not the Septuagint's own sentence — its word order and its articles are its own.
ויקח יהודה אשׁה לער בכורו ושׁמה תמר
Agrees with the Masoretic Text here, word for word.
Four traditions, not one. “On the leather” means the letters physically survive on the scroll, as against letters an editor has supplied to fill a hole in it — a restoration is a scholar’s reading, not a reading of the manuscript. Words in [square brackets] are supplied; the notes count them apart from what survives.
The map of this verse — what each word keeps company with
This is a map of two things, both counted rather than judged. Company kept: which words stand within three words of each of these, anywhere in the Hebrew Bible — the thicker the line, the more often the pair meet compared with chance. Built from: the words a word is made out of, taken from its own Strong’s entry. It is not a map of meaning: nothing here claims two words mean the same thing. Click any circle to see the numbers behind it.
Lexicons — every word in Genesis 38:6
One dossier per word, with every reference work grouped by kind — Hebrew lexicons, morphology, Bible dictionaries, topical chains and the English of the translators themselves. The verse sits at the head of each block with the word under study lit, so you never lose your place. The panel above gives the short answer; this is the long one, and it is the part of the page worth indexing.
Every entry below is the lexicographer's own text. On the Hebrew: Brown-Driver-Briggs entire and its gloss set, Strong's Hebrew Dictionary, and Tyndale House's Translators Brief lexicon. Where a cell says a work has no entry, that work genuinely has none for this word.
The Hebrew word לָקַח (*laqach*) means 'to take' and encompasses a wide range of actions, including to receive, seize, capture, and carry away. It can refer to taking something in hand, taking a wife, or even taking vengeance. The verb has various forms indicating different nuances, such as being taken away or captured.
לָקַח 965 vb. take
Qal
take, take in hand
take and carry along with oneself
take from, or out of
take, carry away
take away from, so as to deprive of
esp. take away life
take to or for a person
take up, upon = put upon
= fetch
take = lead, conduct (with or without contact)
take = capture, seize
take = carry off
in phr. take vengeance
Niph.
be captured, of ark
be taken away, removed
be taken, brought unto
Pu.
be taken from, out of
= be stolen from
be taken captive
be taken away, removed
Hoph.
be taken, brought unto
be taken out of
be taken away from
Hithp. lit. fire taking hold of itself, of lightning
base
H3947 לָקַח take .. take, take in hand
. take and carry along with oneself
. . take from, or out of
. take, carry away
. take away from, so as to deprive of
. esp. take away life
. take to or for a person
. take up, upon = put upon
. = fetch
. take = lead, conduct (with or without contact)
. take = capture, seize
. take = carry off
. in phr. take vengeance
. . be captured, of ark
. be taken away, removed
. be taken, brought unto
. . be taken from, out of
. = be stolen from
. be taken captive
. be taken away, removed
. . be taken, brought unto
. be taken out of
. be taken away from
. lit. fire taking hold of itself, of lightning
3947 laqach law-kakh'
a primitive root; to take (in the widest variety of
applications):--accept, bring, buy, carry away, drawn, fetch,
get, infold, X many, mingle, place, receive(-ing), reserve,
seize, send for, take (away, -ing, up), use, win.
לָקַח (la.qach) — to take: take.
: take
1) to take, get, fetch, lay hold of, seize, receive, acquire, buy, bring, marry, take a wife, snatch, take away
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to take, take in the hand
1a2) to take and carry along
1a3) to take from, take out of, take, carry away, take away
1a4) to take to or for a person, procure, get, take possession of, select, choose, take in marriage, receive, accept
1a5) to take up or upon, put upon
1a6) to fetch
1a7) to take, lead, conduct
1a8) to take, capture, seize
1a9) to take, carry off 1a10) to take (vengeance)
1b) (Niphal)
1b1) to be captured
1b2) to be taken away, be removed
1b3) to be taken, brought unto
1c) (Pual)
1c1) to be taken from or out of
1c2) to be stolen from
1c3) to be taken captive
1c4) to be taken away, be removed
1d) (Hophal)
1d1) to be taken unto, be brought unto
1d2) to be taken out of
1d3) to be taken away
1e) (Hithpael)
1e1) to take hold of oneself
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms — Verb · Qal · sequential imperfect third person masculine singularHc/Vqw3ms
יְהוּדָה (yehudah) means 'Judah' and is derived from a root meaning 'praised.' It refers to the son of Jacob and Leah, the tribe descended from him, and the territory they occupied. The term also encompasses the southern kingdom of Judah, which included the tribes of Judah and Benjamin. Additionally, it identifies various individuals, including Levites and overseers during the time of Ezra and Nehemiah.
יְהוּדָה 820 n.pr.m. et terr. Judah
n.pr.m.
son of Jacob and Leah
tribe descended from Judah
nation, of southern kingdom under dynasty of David, as distinguished from northern kingdom of Ephraim or Israel
Levite, Ezra’s time
an overseer of Jerus.
Levite musician
priest
n.pr.terr. land of Judah
base
H3063 יְהוּדָה Judah
3063 Yhuwdah yeh-hoo-daw'
from 3034; celebrated; Jehudah (or Judah), the name of five
Israelites; also of the tribe descended from the first, and of
its territory:--Judah.
see HEBREW for 03034
יְהוּדָה (ye.hu.dah) — Judah.
A man of the tribe of Judah living at the time of the Patriarchs, first mentioned at Gen.29.35;
son of: Israel (H3478) and Leah (H3812);
brother of: Reuben (H7205), Simeon (H8095), Levi (H3878), Issachar (H3485), Zebulun (H2074) and Dinah (H1783);
half-brother of: Dan (H1835H), Naphtali (H5321), Gad (H1410), Asher (H0836), Joseph (H3130) and Benjamin (H1144); married to Bath-shua (H1323I) and Tamar (H8559);
father of: Er (H6147), Onan (H0209), Shelah (H7956), Perez (H6557) and Zerah (H2226I)
§ Judah = "praised"
1) the son of Jacob by Leah
2) the tribe descended from Judah the son of Jacob
3) the territory occupied by the tribe of Judah
4) the kingdom comprised of the tribes of Judah and Benjamin which occupied the southern part of Canaan after the nation split upon the death of Solomon
5) a Levite in Ezra's time
N-proper — Noun proper masculineHNpm
Judah
Praise, the fourth son of Jacob by Leah. The name originated in Leah’s words of praise to the Lord on account of his birth: “Now will I praise [Heb. odeh] Jehovah, and she called his name Yehudah” (Gen. 29:35).
It was Judah that interposed in behalf of Joseph, so that his life was spared (Gen. 37:26, 27). He took a lead in the affairs of the family, and “prevailed above his brethren” (Gen. 43:3-10; 44:14, 16-34; 46:28; 1 Chr. 5:2).
Soon after the sale of Joseph to the Ishmaelites, Judah went to reside at Adullam, where he married a woman of Canaan. (See ONAN; TAMAR.) After the death of his wife Shuah, he returned to his father’s house, and there exercised much…
(praised, celebrated), the fourth son of Jacob and the fourth of Leah. (B.C. after 1753.) Of Judah’s personal character more traits are preserved than of any other of the patriarchs, with the exception of Joseph, whose life he in conjunction with Reuben saved. (Genesis 37:26-28) During the second visit to Egypt for corn it was Judah who understood to be responsible for the safety of Benjamin, ch. (Genesis 43:3-10) and when, through Joseph’s artifice, the brothers were brought back to the palace, he is again the leader and spokesman of the band. So too it is Judah who is sent before Jacob to smooth the way for him in the land of Goshen. ch. (Genesis 46:28) This ascendancy over his brethren is reflected in the last words…
The fourth son of Jacob and Leah, born in Mesopotamia, B. C. 1755, Ge 29:35. His name appears honorably in the history of Joseph, Ge 37:26,27 44:16-34; but disgracefully in that of Tamar his daughter-in-law, Ge 38:1-30. The dying benediction of Jacob foretells the superior power and prosperity of the family of Judah, and their continuance as chief of the Jewish race until the time of Christ, Ge 49:8-12. Though not the firstborn, Judah soon came to be considered as the chief of Jacob’s children, and his tribe was the most powerful and numerous. The southeastern part of Palestine fell to their lot. See JUDEA. On the border of their territory was Jerusalem, the seat of the…
the praise of the Lord; confession
אִשָּׁה (ishshah) means 'woman,' 'wife,' or 'female.' It can refer to a woman in general, a wife in relation to a man, or the female of animals. The term also has distributive and reciprocal uses, indicating 'each woman' from her neighbor. The word is derived from the masculine forms אִישׁ (ish) and אִישָׁה (ishah), indicating a broad range of meanings.
אִשָּׁה 773 n.f. woman, wife, female
woman
Wife (woman belonging to a man, usually cstr. or sf.)
Female of animals
With distrib. & recipr. sense, each woman from her neighbor; each one
base
H802 אִשָּׁה woman, wife, female . woman
. Wife (woman belonging to a man, usually cstr. or sf.)
. Female of animals
. With distrib. & recipr. sense, each woman from her neighbor; each one
802 'ishshah ish-shaw'
feminine of 376 or 582; irregular plural, nashiym
{naw-sheem'}; a woman (used in the same wide sense as
582):--(adulter)ess, each, every, female, X many, + none,
one, + together, wife, woman. Often unexpressed in English.
see HEBREW for 0376
see HEBREW for 0582
see HEBREW for 0582
אִשָּׁה (ish.shah) — woman.
: woman
1) woman, wife, female
1a) woman (opposite of man)
1b) wife (woman married to a man)
1c) female (of animals)
1d) each, every (pronoun)
אִשָּׁה (ish.shah) — woman: wife.
: wife/widow
1) woman, wife, female
1a) woman (opposite of man)
1b) wife (woman married to a man)
1c) female (of animals)
1d) each, every (pronoun)
אִשָּׁה (ish.shah) — woman: another.
: another
1) woman, wife, female
1a) woman (opposite of man)
1b) wife (woman married to a man)
1c) female (of animals)
1d) each, every (pronoun)
N-fs — Noun common · feminine singular absoluteHNcfsa
wif.
See MARRIAGE; RELATIONSHIPS, FAMILY.
Wife
The ordinance of marriage was sanctioned in Paradise (Gen. 2:24; Matt. 19:4-6). Monogamy was the original law under which man lived, but polygamy early commenced (Gen. 4:19), and continued to prevail all down through Jewish history. The law of Moses regulated but did not prohibit polygamy. A man might have a plurality of wives, but a wife could have only one husband. A wife’s legal rights (Ex. 21:10) and her duties (Prov. 31:10-31; 1 Tim. 5:14) are specified. She could be divorced in special cases (Deut.…
[MARRIAGE]
עֵר (Er) refers to two individuals from the tribe of Judah in the Old Testament. The first is the eldest son of Judah, married to Tamar, and the second is a grandson of Judah, son of Shelah. The name means 'awake' and is mentioned in Genesis 38:3 and 1 Chronicles 4:21.
עֵר n.pr.m.
eldest son of Judah
son of Judah’s son Shelah
base
H6147 עֵר . eldest son of Judah
. son of Judah’s son Shelah
6147 `Er ayr
from 5782; watchful; Er, the name of two Israelites:--Er.
see HEBREW for 05782
עֵר (er) — Er.
A man of the tribe of Judah living at the time of Egypt and Wilderness, first mentioned at Gen.38.3;
son of: Judah (H3063) and Bath-shua (H1323I);
brother of: Onan (H0209) and Shelah (H7956);
half-brother of: Perez (H6557) and Zerah (H2226I); married to Tamar (H8559)
§ Er = "awake"
1) the eldest son of Judah
2) son of Shelah and grandson of Judah
עֵר (er) — Er.
A man of the tribe of Judah living at the time of Egypt and Wilderness, only mentioned at 1Ch.4.21;
son of: Shelah (H7956);
brother of: Laadah (H3935), Jokim (H3137), Joash (H3101K) and Saraph (H8315);
father of: Lecah (H3922)
§ Er = "awake"
1) the eldest son of Judah
2) son of Shelah and grandson of Judah
Prep | N-proper — Preposition · noun proper masculineHR/Npm
ar (`er, "watcher"; Er'):
(1) The eldest son of Judah, the son of Jacob, by Shua the Canaanite. Judah took for him a wife named Tamar. It is recorded that Er "was wicked in the sight of Yahweh; and Yahweh slew him" (Ge 38:3,6,7; 46:12).
(2) "Er the father of Lecah" is mentioned among "the sons of Shelah the son of Judah" (1Ch 4:21).
(3) An ancestor of Jesus in Luke's genealogy in the 7th generation before Zerubbabel (Lu 3:28).
(watchful). First-born of Judah. Er "was wicked in the sight of the Lord; and the Lord slew him." (Genesis 38:3-7; Numbers 26:19) Descendant of Shelah the son of Judah. (1 Chronicles 4:21) Son of Jose and father of Elmodam. (Luke 3:28)
watchman
בְּכוֹר (bekor) means 'first-born' and can refer to both humans and animals. It denotes the eldest son or daughter and can also be used figuratively. The word is derived from a root that emphasizes the concept of being first or chief.
בְּכוֹר 122 n.m. first-born
men and women
animals
figurative
base
H1060 בְּכוֹר first-born
1060 bkowr bek-ore'
from 1069; firstborn; hence, chief:--eldest (son),
firstborn(-ling).
see HEBREW for 01069
בְּכוֹר (be.khor) — firstborn.
1) firstborn, firstling
1a) of men and women
1b) of animals
1c) noun of relation (fig.)
N-ms | Suff — Noun common masculine singular construct · suffixHNcmsc/Sp3ms
שֵׁם (shem) means 'name' and encompasses various meanings such as reputation, fame, and glory. It can refer to the designation of God and is often associated with memorials or monuments. The word is built from a primitive root and highlights individuality and honor. There is a mention of its use in relation to false gods, which is forbidden.
שֵׁם 864 n.m. name (√ unknown)
of river, beasts, city, i.e. exact designation of it
usu. of pers.
= reputation
esp. as giving a man a kind of posthumous life, esp. in his sons
name, as designation of God
of false gods, use forbidden
= memorial, monument
base
H8034 שֵׁם name (√ unknown)
8034 shem shame
a primitive word (perhaps rather from 7760 through the idea
of definite and conspicuous position; compare 8064); an
appellation, as a mark or memorial of individuality; by
implication honor, authority, character:--+ base,
(in-)fame(-ous), named(-d), renown, report.
see HEBREW for 07760
see HEBREW for 08064
שֵׁם (shem) — name.
1) name
1a) name
1b) reputation, fame, glory
1c) the Name (as designation of God)
1d) memorial, monument
Aramaic equivalent: shum (שֻׁם "name" H8036)
Conj | N-ms | Suff — Conjunction · noun common masculine singular construct · suffixHC/Ncmsc/Sp3fs
תָּמָר (Tamar) refers to several women and a location, meaning "palm-tree." Notably, it includes the daughter-in-law of Judah, the daughter of David and sister of Absalom, and a place on the southern border of Gad. The entries indicate that there are three women named Tamar, each with distinct narratives in the Old Testament.
תָּמָר n.pr.
f.
daughter-in-law of Judah
daughter of David, sister of Absalom
loc. site not certain
base
H8559 תָּמָר n. pr. . f. . daughter-in-law of Judah
. daughter of David, sister of Absalom
. loc. site not certain
8559 Tamar taw-mawr'
the same as 8558; Tamar, the name of three women and a
place:--Tamar.
see HEBREW for 08558
תָּמָר (ta.mar) — Tamar.
A woman living at the time of the Patriarchs, first mentioned at Gen.38.6; married to Judah (H3063) and Er (H6147);
mother of: Perez (H6557) and Zerah (H2226I)
Also named: Thamar (Θάμαρ "Tamar" G2283)
§ Tamar = "palm-tree"
1) widow of Er, the son of Judah; fiancee of Shelah, another son of Judah; wife of Judah and mother of Pharez and Zerah
2) daughter of David by Maacah, sister of Absalom, and rape victim of Amnon her half brother, another son of David
3) daughter of Absalom
4) a place on the southern border of Gad
תָּמָר (ta.mar) — Tamar.
A woman of the tribe of Judah living at the time of United Monarchy, first mentioned at 2Sa.13.1;
daughter of: David (H1732) and Maacah (H4601I)
sister of: Amnon (H0550), Chileab (H3609), Absalom (H0053), Adonijah (H0138), Shephatiah (H8203), Ithream (H3507), Shammua (H8051H), Shobab (H7727), Nathan (H5416)…
N-proper — Noun proper feminineHNpf
Tamar
Palm. (1.) A place mentioned by Ezekiel (47:19; 48:28), on the southeastern border of Palestine. Some suppose this was “Tadmor” (q.v.).
(2.) The daughter-in-law of Judah, to whose eldest son, Er, she was married (Gen. 38:6). After her husband’s death, she was married to Onan, his brother (8), and on his death, Judah promised to her that his third son, Shelah, would become her husband. This promise was not fulfilled, and hence Tamar’s revenge and Judah’s great guilt (38:12-30).
(3.) A daughter of David (2 Sam. 13:1-32; 1 Chr. 3:9), whom Amnon shamefully outraged and afterwards “hated exceedingly,” thereby illustrating the law of human nature noticed even by the heathen, “Proprium humani ingenii est odisse quem…
(palm tree). The wife successively of the two sons of Judah, Er and Onan. (Genesis 38:8-30) (B.C. about 1718.) Her importance in the sacred narrative depends on the great anxiety to keep up the lineage of Judah. It seemed as if the family were on the point of extinction. Er and Onan had successively perished suddenly. Judah’s wife, Bathshuah, died; and there only remained a child, Shelah, whom Judah was unwilling to trust to the dangerous union as it appeared, with Tamar, lest he should meet with the same fate as his brothers. Accordingly she resorted to the desperate expedient of entrapping the father himself into the union which he feared for his son. The fruits of this intercourse were twins, Pharez and Zarah, and through Pharez the sacred line was continued. Daughter of David and Maachah the Geshurite princess, and thus sister of…
A palm-tree,
1. A Canaanitish woman, mother of Pharez and Zarah, Ge 38:1-30.
2. A daughter of David. See TALMAI.
3. A daughter of Absalom, 2Sa 14:27.
palm; palm-tree