### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Greek lemma Θάμαρ (Thámar), transliterated as Thamar, is a direct rendering of the Hebrew name תָּמָר (Tamar), Strong's `{{H8559}}`. Its base definition identifies it as an Israelitess. The Hebrew root, from which the name derives, means "date palm." This botanical association often carries connotations of uprightness, fruitfulness, and beauty in ancient Near Eastern cultures. However, for Θάμαρ (Thámar), the primary semantic range is limited to its function as a proper noun, referring specifically to the individuals bearing this name in the biblical narrative. The most prominent and theologically significant figure is Tamar, the daughter-in-law of Judah, whose story is detailed in the book of Genesis and whose name appears in the genealogy of Jesus Christ.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The name Θάμαρ (Thámar) appears exclusively in the New Testament, specifically within the genealogy of Jesus Christ as recorded in the Gospel of Matthew. In [[Matthew 1:3]], the text states: "Judah the father of Perez and Zerah by Tamar." This single New Testament occurrence points back to the extensive narrative concerning Tamar in the Old Testament, primarily in [[Genesis 38]].
The Old Testament account describes Tamar as the wife of Er, Judah's firstborn son. After Er's death, Tamar was given to Onan, Judah's second son, in accordance with the custom of levirate marriage (Deuteronomy 25:5-10) to raise an heir for his deceased brother. When Onan also died without providing an heir, Judah promised Tamar to his third son, Shelah, but delayed fulfilling this promise. Recognizing Judah's procrastination and her own desperate situation to secure an heir for her deceased husband's line, Tamar resorted to an unconventional and deceptive strategy. She disguised herself as a prostitute and conceived twins, Perez and Zerah, by Judah himself. Upon discovering her pregnancy and the circumstances, Judah famously declared, "She is more righteous than I, since I did not give her to my son Shelah" ([[Genesis 38:26]]).
Tamar's inclusion in Matthew's genealogy is notable, as she is one of only four women (alongside Rahab, Ruth, and the wife of Uriah, Bathsheba) specifically mentioned in the patriarchal section of Christ's lineage. Her story, marked by scandal and unconventional actions, underscores a profound theological truth about God's sovereign plan working through human imperfection and unexpected circumstances to bring about His redemptive purposes.
### Related Words & Concepts
* **תָּמָר (Tamar) `{{H8559}}`**: The Hebrew original of Θάμαρ, meaning "date palm," which connects the name to themes of fruitfulness and resilience, though often ironically juxtaposed with the circumstances of Tamar's story.
* **Levirate Marriage**: The custom (Hebrew: *yibbum*) central to Tamar's narrative in Genesis 38, where a brother-in-law was obligated to marry his deceased brother's childless widow to raise an heir for the deceased.
* **Genealogy**: The broader biblical context in which Θάμαρ (Thámar) appears in the New Testament, emphasizing the historical and theological continuity of God's covenant promises leading to Christ.
* **Righteousness**: Judah's acknowledgment of Tamar's greater righteousness ([[Genesis 38:26]]) is a critical assessment of her actions, suggesting that her unconventional methods were ultimately driven by a desire to uphold the family line and secure an heir, which was a righteous intention within the cultural context.
* **Divine Providence**: The concept that God orchestrates events, even those marked by human sin and complexity, to achieve His ultimate purposes, as seen in Tamar's role in the Messianic lineage.
### Theological Significance
The inclusion of Θάμαρ (Thámar) in the genealogy of Jesus carries profound theological weight. Her story highlights several key themes:
1. **Divine Sovereignty and Unconventional Means**: God's plan of salvation is not limited by human conventions, moral failings, or societal expectations. He works through imperfect individuals and seemingly scandalous situations to accomplish His perfect will. Tamar's actions, while morally ambiguous from a superficial glance, were instrumental in preserving the lineage through which the Messiah would come.
2. **Grace and Inclusivity**: The presence of Tamar, a woman who resorted to deception, alongside other women with complex pasts (Rahab, Ruth, Bathsheba), in the Messianic genealogy, foreshadows the radical inclusivity of the Gospel. It underscores that God's grace extends to all, regardless of their past or social standing, and that His kingdom is built upon redemption, not human perfection.
3. **Justice and Righteousness**: Judah's declaration, "She is more righteous than I," elevates Tamar's status. While her methods were questionable, her underlying motive—to secure an heir for her deceased husband and ensure the continuation of Judah's line—was ultimately aligned with the cultural and covenantal expectation of preserving the family name and inheritance. This points to a deeper understanding of righteousness that considers intent and outcome within God's overarching plan.
4. **The Seed of Promise**: Tamar's determination to bear an heir for Judah's line, even at great personal risk, ensured the continuation of the lineage from which the Messiah would descend. Her twin son, Perez, became a direct ancestor of King David and, subsequently, of Jesus Christ. Her story thus powerfully illustrates the tenacious preservation of the promised "seed" ([[Genesis 3:15]]) through whom salvation would come.
### Summary
Θάμαρ (Thámar) refers to Tamar, most notably the daughter-in-law of Judah, whose compelling and complex story is recounted in [[Genesis 38]]. Her inclusion in the New Testament genealogy of Jesus Christ in [[Matthew 1:3]] is highly significant. Despite the unconventional and deceptive means she employed to secure an heir for her deceased husband's lineage, Tamar's actions were ultimately affirmed by Judah as "more righteous" than his own. Her presence in the Messianic line underscores the profound theological truth that God's divine sovereignty operates through human imperfection, unexpected circumstances, and radical grace to fulfill His redemptive purposes. The name's Hebrew root, "date palm," subtly evokes themes of fruitfulness and uprightness, providing a rich counterpoint to the complexities of her narrative and emphasizing the tenacious preservation of the covenant line leading to the Messiah.
TRV