Meaning of the Name Tamar
Tamar means "date palm" in Hebrew. In the ancient Near Eastern context the date palm could evoke beauty, fruitfulness, and grace, so the name carries those associations as well. Its meaning is clear.
Origin
The name Tamar is of Hebrew origin.
Who is Tamar in the Bible?
When Tamar is mentioned, the best-known figure is usually the woman in Genesis 38, Judah's daughter-in-law, who becomes the mother of Perez and Zerah and is named in Jesus' genealogy. Scripture also includes Tamar the daughter of David and Tamar the daughter of Absalom, but Judah's daughter-in-law is the most prominent.
The story of Tamar in the Bible
The best-known Tamar in the Bible is the woman of Genesis 38, who married Er, Judah's firstborn. Er was wicked in the LORD's sight and died; her brother-in-law Onan refused his duty and died as well. Judah sent Tamar back to her father's house, telling her to wait until his youngest son Shelah grew up, but the promise was never kept. So Tamar laid aside her widow's clothes, veiled her face, and placed herself in Judah's path on the road to Timnah; not recognizing her, he slept with her and left his seal, cord, and staff as a pledge. When her pregnancy became known, Judah first ordered her put to death, but when Tamar produced the pledge he admitted she was more in the right than he. She bore twins, Perez and Zerah, and through Perez her line runs down to David and, in Matthew's genealogy, to Jesus Christ. Scripture also mentions David's daughter Tamar and Absalom's daughter Tamar, yet Judah's daughter-in-law remains the most famous bearer of the name.
Is Tamar mentioned in the Quran?
The name Tamar does not appear in the Quran; in the Bible she is known from Genesis in the Torah as Judah's daughter-in-law, and she is listed in the genealogy of Jesus in the Gospel of Matthew.
Verses where Tamar appears
- Genesis 38:6 —
Judah took a wife for Er, his firstborn, and her name was Tamar.
- Genesis 38:29 —
As he drew back his hand, behold, his brother came out, and she said, “Why have you made a breach for yourself?” Therefore his name was called Perez.
- 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.