The remarkable woman who secured her place in the messianic line through an act of desperate courage. Married to Judah’s eldest son Er, who died, she was passed to his brother Onan, who also died. When Judah withheld his third son, Tamar disguised herself and conceived twins by Judah himself. Rather than condemning her, Judah declared ‘she is more righteous than I.’ Tamar is one of only five women named in Matthew’s genealogy of Jesus.
But when he pulled his hand back and his brother came out, she said, “You have broken out first!” So he was named Perez.Genesis 38:29 · Berean Standard Bible
Now Judah acquired a wife for Er, his firstborn, and her name was Tamar. But Er, Judah’s firstborn, was wicked in the sight of the LORD; so the LORD put him to death. Then Judah said to Onan, “Sleep with your brother’s wife. Perform your duty as her brother-in-law and raise up offspring for your brother.” But Onan knew that the offspring would not belong to him; so whenever he would sleep with his brother’s wife, he would spill his seed on the ground so…
A strange detour from Joseph's story. Judah's failures and Tamar's boldness both play a role in the ancestry of the Messiah.
Judah was the father of Perez and Zerah by Tamar, Perez the father of Hezron, and Hezron the father of Ram.
The New Testament opens with a genealogy — and every name carries a story. Two great promises converge in one person. This is where it all comes together.
Tamar doesn't appear in the direct line from Adam to Jesus, but stands one step from it through Judah, who does. See the whole line.
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