Tamar
Archimandrite Nikifor’s Biblical Encyclopedia
(“palm tree”)—the name of three women. (1) The Canaanite daughter-in-law of Judah (Gen. 38). Her first husband Er died under divine judgment; his brother Onan also died after refusing his duty toward her. Judah promised that she would marry his younger son Shelah but did not fulfill the promise. Tamar then disguised herself, obtained Judah’s seal, cord, and staff as pledges, and conceived Perez and Zerah by him. When Judah later sought her punishment, the pledges exposed his responsibility, and he acknowledged, “She is more righteous than I.” Perez stands in the genealogy of Jesus Christ (Matt. 1:3). The narrative reveals Judah’s failure and Tamar’s precarious position; it is not an endorsement of deception or exploitation.