תָּמָר (ta.mar)
ta.mar
Tamar
N:N-F-PQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 20 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- N:N-F-P
Word Overview
The name Tamar, meaning "palm tree," appears in Scripture as a proper noun for three distinct women and one geographical location. Its most prominent biblical figures are the daughter-in-law of Judah, who secures her family line through bold action in Genesis 38, and the daughter of King David, whose tragic story unfolds in 2 Samuel 13.
The sources distinguish these individuals clearly: one is an ancestor of Jesus listed in Ruth 4:12, while the other is a victim of violence by her half-brother Amnon. The name also marks a border region in Ezekiel 47-48 and likely refers to Palmyra in 1 Kings 9:18.
While the word literally denotes the palm tree, its use as a personal name carries no inherent theological definition beyond identity. The biblical narrative uses these specific women to highlight themes of justice, lineage, and royal family dysfunction without offering further symbolic commentary on the name itself.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The name Tamar appears in Scripture for three distinct women, each navigating a world where justice was often elusive. In Genesis 38, Tamar takes bold steps to secure her future when legal protections fail her, ensuring the lineage that would eventually lead to Jesus (Ruth 4:12). Her story reminds us that God works through human agency and difficult circumstances to fulfill His promises.
Contrast this with the Tamar in 2 Samuel 13, a victim of violence whose suffering highlights the brokenness within King David’s family. Her pain is recorded plainly, showing that Scripture does not shy away from the reality of injustice or the deep wounds it causes. These narratives invite us to trust God’s sovereignty even when human systems are flawed.
Whether seen as an ancestor of Christ or a symbol of royal tragedy, Tamar’s name points to the resilience of faith in hard seasons. We find comfort knowing that God sees the marginalized and upholds justice, ultimately bringing redemption through lines we might not expect.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 20 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- Tamar15×
- [was] Tamar3×
- to/ Tamar2×
- and/ Tamar2×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- תָּמָ֗ר4×
- תָּמָ֥ר3×
- תָּמָ֣ר3×
- תָּמָ֑ר2×
- תָּמָר֙1×
- תָּמָֽר\׃1×
- תָּמָ֖ר1×
- תָּמָ֔ר1×
- תָמָ֨ר1×
- תָמָ֖ר1×
- לְ/תָמָ֨ר1×
- לְ/תָמָ֖ר1×
Key Verses
-
Genesis 38:6
Judah took a wife for Er, his firstborn, and her name was Tamar.
This verse introduces Tamar as Judah’s daughter-in-law, setting the stage for her pivotal role in preserving the Messianic line.
-
Ruth 4:12
Let your house be like the house of Perez, whom Tamar bore to Judah, of the offspring which Yahweh will give you by this young woman.”
Here Tamar is explicitly linked to Perez, confirming her place in the genealogy of Jesus and highlighting God’s faithfulness to her cause.
-
II Samuel 13:1
After this, Absalom the son of David had a beautiful sister, whose name was Tamar; and Amnon the son of David loved her.
This introduction marks the beginning of a tragic narrative that exposes the moral decay within David’s household.
-
II Samuel 13:19
Tamar put ashes on her head, and tore her garment of various colors that was on her; and she laid her hand on her head and went her way, crying aloud as she went.
Tamar’s act of tearing her garment and putting ashes on her head serves as a public sign of her mourning and desolation after being violated.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the name Tamar mean?
Are there different women named Tamar in the Bible?
Why is Tamar significant in the genealogy of Jesus?
Every Occurrence (20 verses across 4 books)
Genesis 4 verses
Judah took a wife for Er, his firstborn, and her name was Tamar.
Genesis 38:11Then Judah said to Tamar, his daughter-in-law, “Remain a widow in your father’s house, until Shelah, my son, is grown…
Genesis 38:13Tamar was told, “Behold, your father-in-law is going up to Timnah to shear his sheep.”
Genesis 38:24About three months later, Judah was told, “Tamar, your daughter-in-law, has played the prostitute. Moreover, behold,…