Tamar in the Bible — Hidden Meaning & Symbolism

Tamar (in A. V., I Kings 9:18, Tadmor), ta'-mär (Heb.)-- standing forth; ascending; high; lofty; erect; upright; mast; spire; column of smoke; landmark; date palm; palm tree; phoenix. a The wife of the two elder sons of Judah. These sons both died childless, and because Judah did not give her to his third son she deceived him and had two sons, twins, by her father-in-law, Judah (Gen. 38:6-30). b Daughter of David and sister of Absalom (II Sam. 13). c Daughter of Absalom (II Sam. 14:27). d A city that Solomon built in the wilderness (I Kings 9:18); called Tadmor in II Chronicles 8:4. e Either the same city as mentioned in I Kings 9:18 or another place in the southern part of Judah (Ezek. 47:19). Meta. Victory and conquest (palm tree, palm) through uprightness (high, loft, erect, upright);"And Judah... said, She is more righteous than I, for as much as I gave her not to Shelah my son" (Gen. 38:26). In the cases of the women named Tamar this consciousness of victory, or conquest, and overcoming power is of the soul in the individual.