12.09.2017 Was Tamar a sinner or a saint?

- Israel Study Center

WAS TAMAR A SINNER OR A SAINT?

In Hebrew Bible by Dr. Lizorkin-EyzenbergSeptember 11, 2017

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Judah being one of Jacobs children, participates in a

conspiracy to get rid of his half-brother Joseph by selling
him to Egypt.Given the 20 year life expectancy of
Egyptian slaves, being sold to Egypt was not
salvation from death, it was death postponed by
much suffering. When Judah matures and himself
becomes a father of three sons, two of whom die after
marrying Tamar, he learns what it means to love someone too much. Despite the law of levirate
marriage that obligates Judah to have his third son marry Tamar, year after year he refuses. His love
for his son trumps his sense of justice towards Tamar.

This happens until Tamar orchestrates one of the greatest redemptive breakthroughs in the
history of the world by getting Judah himself to restore his dead sons seed. Tamar
disgraces herself, pretending to be a local prostitute. Her truly unconventional, but incredibly
courageous plan works. When she becomes pregnant and the truth about his relationship to the child
is proven, Judah repents and declares Tamar not guilty of any wrong doing, owning his guilt instead
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12.09.2017 Was Tamar a sinner or a saint? - Israel Study Center

(Gen.38:1-27).

The book of Ruth celebrates Perez the child of Tamar and Judah, as a crucial part of
Gods redemptive plan and establishes him as ancestor of King David (Ruth 4:11-17). What
is even more important is that the Gospels include Perez among the forefathers of Jesus,
the Messiah and the Book of Revelation refers to Jesus as the Lion from the tribe of Judah!

Uncover the original meaning of the Bible lost in translation. Explore our new courses now! Begin
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