Θάμαρ (Thamar)
Thamar
Tamar
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The name Thamar appears only once in the New Testament, listed in Matthew 1:3 as the wife of Er and Onan and the mother of Perez and Zerah through Judah. Derived from the Hebrew word for "palm tree," the name carries a sense of uprightness or fruitfulness, reflecting the imagery of a palm that stands tall and yields abundant dates.
While the Gospel account merely records her place in Jesus’ genealogy, the Old Testament narrative behind this entry is one of resilience. Thamar’s story in Genesis 38 highlights her determination to secure her family line after being wronged by Judah’s sons. Her inclusion in Matthew’s list underscores how God works through complex human histories and unexpected figures to bring about His purposes.
Translators consistently render the name as Thamar, preserving its Hebrew origin rather than adapting it to a Greek form. This single mention serves as a reminder that the lineage of Christ includes women whose lives were marked by both struggle and divine providence, weaving their personal stories into the broader tapestry of salvation history.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
Thamar appears only once in the New Testament, listed in Matthew 1:3 as the mother of Perez and Zerah through Judah. Her name, meaning palm tree, evokes resilience and fruitfulness even in difficult circumstances. The Gospel writer includes her not to dwell on her past struggles, but to show how God weaves ordinary, complex lives into His redemptive plan.
This single mention reminds us that Jesus’ ancestry is filled with real people who faced hardship and uncertainty. Thamar’s story in Genesis shows a woman fighting for her place in the family line after being wronged. Her inclusion highlights that God’s grace covers every part of human history, bringing hope and purpose to those who feel overlooked or forgotten.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- Tamar;1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- Θαμάρ·1×
Key Verses
-
Matthew 1:3
Judah became the father of Perez and Zerah by Tamar. Perez became the father of Hezron. Hezron became the father of Ram.
This verse records Thamar as the mother of Perez and Zerah, anchoring her in the lineage of Christ despite the complex circumstances of her life.