Judah's wife
She is a rare woman mentioned in the genealogy of Jesus. (Matthew 1:1-17) The tribe of Judah are her children.
Absalom's beautiful sister
Now Absalom, David's son, had a beautiful sister, whose name was Tamar. And after a time Amnon, David's son, loved her. (2 Samuel 13:1)
- Tribe: Judah, Bethlehemite
- Birthplace: Probably Hebron
- Father: King David
- Mother: Maacah the daughter of Talmai king of Geshur
- Brother: Absalom the son of Maacah the daughter of Talmai king of Geshur,
- Half-Brothers(?): Amnon of Ahinoam of Jezreel, Chileab of Abigail the widow of Nabal of Carmel, Adonijah the son of Haggith, Shephatiah the son of Abital, and Ithream of Eglah. (2 Samuel 3:2-5), Shammua, Shobab, Nathan, Solomon, Ibhar, Elishua, Nepheg, Japhia, Elishama, Eliada, Eliphelet. (2 Samuel 5:13-16)
Amnon violates her, despite her plea to ask for her hand in marriage via the proper channel
When Amnon was sick, David sent home to Tamar, saying, "Go to your brother Amnon's house and prepare food for him." So Tamar went to her brother Amnon's house, where he was lying down. She took dough and kneaded it and made cakes in his sight and baked. She took the pan and emptied it out before him, but he refused to eat. He sent everyone away and had Tamar bring the food into the chamber, that he may eat from her hand.
Tamar brought the cakes to the chamber, but when she drew near, he took hold of her and said, "Come, lie with me, my sister." She replied, "No, my brother, do not violate me, for such a thing is not done in Israel; do not do this outrageous thing. As for me, where could I carry my shame? And as for you, you would be as one of the outrageous fools in Israel. Now therefore, please speak to the king, for he will not withhold me from you." But he would not listen, and he was stronger, so he violated her and lay with her.
Amnon then hated her more than he had loved her before. He said, "Get up! Go!" But she said, "No, my brother, for this wrong in sending me away is greater than the other that you did to me." But he would not listen. He had a servant put her out of his presence and bolt the door after her.
Absalom comforts her
She was wearing a long robe with sleeves, as the virgin daughters of the king wore, so she put ashes on her head, tore her long robe, and laid her hand on her head and went away, crying aloud as she went.
Absalom said to her, "Has Amnon your brother been with you? Now hold your peace, my sister. He is your brother; do not take this to heart."
So Tamar lived a desolate woman in Absalom's house. Absalom spoke neither good nor bad to Amnon for he hated him for violating his sister.
Absalom's beautiful daughter
There were born to Absalom three sons, and one daughter whose name was Tamar. She was a beautiful woman. (2 Samuel 14:27)