"And Judah acknowledged them, and said, She hath been more righteous than I; because that I gave her not to Shelah my son."
Biblical Name · Hebrew Origin
Tamar Meaning in the Bible
Tamar
girl
Tamar means "Palm tree; Date palm", a girl's name of Hebrew origin. Tamar appears in the King James Bible, and Genesis 38:26 is the passage most often tied to it. Tamar — the palm tree — stands resilient through adversity. Her inclusion in Christ's genealogy proclaims that God redeems the stories the world would rather forget.
Is Tamar in the Bible?
Yes — Tamar appears in the King James Bible; the passages below give the context.
Pronunciation:/TAY-mar/
OriginHebrew
MeaningPalm tree; Date palm
What does Tamar mean?
Tamar is a girl name of Hebrew origin meaning "Palm tree; Date palm". Tamar means "palm tree" in Hebrew — a symbol of beauty, righteousness, and resilience. Three women named Tamar appear in Scripture, each with a significant story.
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Editor’s reflection
“Palm tree” in Hebrew — carried by three women whose stories Scripture refuses to tidy up.
Tamar (Hebrew תָמָר) is the date palm, an image of uprightness and fruitfulness in dry country: 'The righteous shall flourish like the palm tree' (Psalm 92:12). The palm is also what the crowds carried when Jesus entered Jerusalem (John 12:13).
The first Tamar is Judah's daughter-in-law in Genesis 38, twice widowed and denied the third son she was owed. She takes matters into her own hands, and Judah's verdict when he discovers it is 'She hath been more righteous than I' (Genesis 38:26). Her son Pharez stands in the line of David and of Christ (Matthew 1:3).
The second is David's daughter, raped by her half-brother Amnon (2 Samuel 13), a chapter the Bible tells with unflinching detail and no excuse-making; her brother Absalom's revenge tears the kingdom apart. The third is Absalom's own daughter, named for her aunt, 'a woman of a fair countenance' (2 Samuel 14:27).
Tamar is a standard girls' name in Israel and in Georgian (as Tamar/Tamara). In English it is uncommon and pronounced TAY-mar or tah-MAR, with Tamara the fuller Slavic form.
“The righteous shall flourish like the palm tree: he shall grow like a cedar in Lebanon.”
What does Tamar mean in the Bible?
Tamar means "Palm tree; Date palm" and is a name of Hebrew origin. Below is what Scripture and Christian tradition attach to that meaning.
Tamar means "palm tree" in Hebrew — a symbol of beauty, righteousness, and resilience. Three women named Tamar appear in Scripture, each with a significant story.
The most prominent Tamar was Judah's daughter-in-law, who took extraordinary measures to secure her rights when Judah failed to provide his third son as her husband according to the law of levirate marriage. Despite the controversy of her methods, Tamar was declared "more righteous" than Judah and became an ancestor of David and Jesus.
Another Tamar was David's beautiful daughter who was tragically violated by her half-brother Amnon — an event that triggered Absalom's rebellion. Her story is one of the Bible's most painful accounts of injustice against women. Tamar's inclusion in Christ's genealogy demonstrates God's commitment to redeeming broken stories.
Where does Tamar appear in the Bible (KJV)?
Tamar is connected to 2 key passages in the King James Bible, beginning with Genesis 38:26. Each verse is quoted in full below.
"And Judas begat Phares and Zara of Thamar."
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Which books of the Bible mention Tamar?
Tamar is mentioned across 3 books of the Bible. Follow any book below to read it in the KJV.
What is the spiritual meaning of Tamar?
Tamar — the palm tree — stands resilient through adversity. Her inclusion in Christ's genealogy proclaims that God redeems the stories the world would rather forget.
Related Promises of God
Promises connected to the meaning of the name Tamar:
God Promises Strength in Weakness
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God Promises a Harvest If You Don't Give Up
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What names are related to Tamar?
Names like Tamar
Other Hebrew biblical names that share the spirit of "Palm tree; Date palm" — discovered by matching meaning category and origin.
Names that pair well with Tamar
Sibling sets, middle-name combinations, and complementary pairings chosen for matching origin, meaning, and similar syllable weight.
Share the meaning of Tamar
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Tamar name meaning: frequently asked questions
Three. Judah's daughter-in-law in Genesis 38, who is named in Jesus' genealogy; David's daughter, assaulted by her half-brother Amnon in 2 Samuel 13; and Absalom's daughter in 2 Samuel 14:27.
Yes — Tamar appears in the King James Bible; the passages below give the context.
Tamar means "Palm tree; Date palm." It is a Hebrew name. The King James Bible uses it, so the meaning is carried by a real person in Scripture.
Common questions about the name Tamar
Can I download a free King James Bible PDF to study the name Tamar?
Yes. The complete King James Bible is available as a free PDF download — all 66 books, 1,189 chapters, ready to read offline or print. No sign-up required.
Where can I read the full biblical context for Tamar?
You can read every verse where Tamar appears in the King James Bible by downloading the free KJV PDF or reading online. The download page also includes a bookmarked Book of Psalms KJV PDF for easy reference.