Louise Norved .: april 2002 When reading Genesis, you might easily skip from the end of chapter 37 to chapter 39, and the story flows easily. Chapter 38 stands out as an unsavoury story. So, why is it there? Louise Norved finds out. Tamar (not to be confused with the other Tamar's in the bible, there are two others as well as a city of that name) is introduced into salvation history in Genesis 38. She is the daughter-in-law of Judah, and marries two of his three sons. The first-born Er was wicked and the LORD put him to death. In keeping with Hebrew law (see Deut 25:5-6) Tamar is given in marriage to Judah's second son Onan. The purpose of this marriage is that through Onan she will have an heir for her dead husband. Onan clearly understands his obligation but is unhappy about it (not unhappy enough enough to refrain from having sex with her though). In his craftiness he gives the appearance of doing the right thing by laying with her, but he does not fulfil his duty of providing of heir, by spilling his semen when they have sex. His wickedness results in his death at the LORD's hand. Judah has one more son. He is afraid to give Tamar to him. He suggests she live as a widow in his house until the third son is old enough to marry. But Judah does not keep his promise. It is at this point that Tamar takes action. Dressing as a shrine prostitute, and deceiving her father-in-law, she has sex with him, conceives and gives birth to twins (these are the boys mentioned in Jesus' genealogy). When Judah realises what Tamar has done he declares her to be more righteous than himself (Ge 38:26). Why is this unsavoury chapter in the bible, and why mention Tamar in Jesus' genealogy? It seems that the purpose of this chapter is to fill in the details as to how Judah came to be the father of Perez and Zerah by his daughter-in-law. If you were writing the genealogy of Jesus, you might leave Tamar's name out. But Matthew included it, telling us that Judah was the father of Perez and Zerah whose mother was Tamar (see Matthew 1). (Tamar is mentioned twice more in the Old Testament. See Ruth 4:12 and 1 Chron 2:4.) Louise Norved edits and compiles ewe-turn, out of a passion for seeing women as devoted followers of Christ. Send Feedback    |    Printable version of this article