Girl Old Testament Known
Tamar
palm; palm-tree
תָּמָר ta.mar
Tamar (Hebrew: תָּמָר, ta.mar) means “palm; palm-tree”, by traditional interpretation. Three women in scripture bear the name; the best attested belongs to the United Monarchy period. In 2025 it was given to 73 children in the United States. Around 7,044 Americans have been given it since 1880. Appears with Absalom in 2 Samuel 13.
Which Tamar?
Three women in scripture bear this name. Here is each of them.
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Tamar
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Tamar
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Tamar
daughter of Absalom
Scripture against society
The two measures, side by side
At a glance
- Verses
- 21 across 5 books
- Bearers
- 3 distinct people in scripture
- Testament
- Both
- Era
- United Monarchy
Using it today
Based on 2025 births across the United States.
| Measure | Value | Reading |
|---|---|---|
| Given in 2025 | 73 | Steady |
| All-time total | 7,044 | Since records begin in 1880 |
| Peak | 149 in 1977 | Its highest year on record |
| Strongest state | NY | Highest share relative to births |
In scripture
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| First appears | Genesis 38:6 |
| Last appears | Matthew 1:3 |
| Cross-references | 248 linked passages |
Names connected to this one
- Amnon co-occurrence Appears with Amnon in 2 Samuel 13.
- Perez co-occurrence Appears with Perez in Matthew 1.
- Jonadab co-occurrence Appears with Jonadab in 2 Samuel 13.
- Ram co-occurrence Appears with Ram in Matthew 1.
- Shua co-occurrence Appears with Shua in Genesis 38.
- Judah co-occurrence Appears with Judah in Genesis 38.
- Zerah co-occurrence Appears with Zerah in Matthew 1.
- Absalom co-occurrence Appears with Absalom in 2 Samuel 13.
Origin & meaning
A woman of the tribe of Judah living at the time of United Monarchy, first mentioned at 2Sa.13.1;
daughter of: David (H1732) and Maacah (H4601I)
sister of: Amnon (H0550), Chileab (H3609), Absalom (H0053), Adonijah (H0138), Shephatiah (H8203), Ithream (H3507), Shammua (H8051H), Shobab (H7727), Nathan (H5416), Solomon (H8010), Ibhar (H2984), Elishua (H0474), Nepheg (H5298H), Japhia (H3309I), Elishama (H0476H), Eliada (H0450), Eliphelet (H0467), Elpelet (H0467I), Nogah (H5052) and Jerimoth (H3406N)
§ Tamar = "palm-tree"
1) widow of Er, the son of Judah; fiancee of Shelah, another son of Judah; wife of Judah and mother of Pharez and Zerah
2) daughter of David by Maacah, sister of Absalom, and rape victim of Amnon her half brother, another son of David
3) daughter of Absalom
4) a place on the southern border of Gad
Tamar was David's daughter who was raped by her half-brother Amnon, leading to tragic consequences.
The biblical story
Tamar was the beautiful daughter of King David and full sister of Absalom (2Sa.13.1; 1Ch.3.9). She was raped by her half-brother Amnon, who then rejected her (2Sa.13.1-19). Tamar's tragedy led to Absalom's murder of Amnon and eventual rebellion against David (2Sa.13.20-39). Her story illustrates the dysfunctional relationships and violence within David's family.
Key verses
Tamar appears in 13 verses. Here are some of the most notable:
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And it came to pass after this, that Absalom the son of David had a fair sister, whose name was Tamar; and Amnon the son of David loved her.
2 Samuel 13:1 -
And Amnon was so vexed, that he fell sick for his sister Tamar; for she was a virgin; and Amnon thought it hard for him to do any thing to her.
2 Samuel 13:2 -
And he said unto him, Why art thou, being the king’s son, lean from day to day? wilt thou not tell me? And Amnon said unto him, I love Tamar, my brother Absalom’s sister.
2 Samuel 13:4 -
And Jonadab said unto him, Lay thee down on thy bed, and make thyself sick: and when thy father cometh to see thee, say unto him, I pray thee, let my sister Tamar come, and give me meat, and dress the meat in my sight, that I may see it, and eat it at her hand.
2 Samuel 13:5 -
So Amnon lay down, and made himself sick: and when the king was come to see him, Amnon said unto the king, I pray thee, let Tamar my sister come, and make me a couple of cakes in my sight, that I may eat at her hand.
2 Samuel 13:6
Show all 13 references
2 Samuel (12)
- 2 Samuel 13:1
- 2 Samuel 13:2
- 2 Samuel 13:4
- 2 Samuel 13:5
- 2 Samuel 13:6
- 2 Samuel 13:7
- 2 Samuel 13:8
- 2 Samuel 13:10
- 2 Samuel 13:19
- 2 Samuel 13:20
- 2 Samuel 13:22
- 2 Samuel 13:32
1 Chronicles (1)
- 1 Chronicles 3:9