“For Absalom hated Amnon because he had violated his sister Tamar” ( 2 Samuel 38:22).Ĭonsumed by hatred, Absalom plotted against Amnon and eventually had him killed two years later. In doing so, David failed his daughter and further failed to temper Absalom’s rage. David also was very angry but neglected to address Amnon’s sin or provide justice for his daughter. Understandably, when Absalom found out that Amnon had raped his sister, he was furious. Amon went on to treat Tamar as a used and unwanted outcast, a reputation she likely carried for the rest of her life. now throw this woman out of my presence and lock the door behind her” ( 2 Samuel 13:15,17). “Amnon hated her with a very great hatred for the hatred with which he hated her was greater than the love with which he had loved her. When Tamar arrived, Amnon proceeded to rape her ( 2 Samuel 13). David, being blind and oblivious to his son’s temperament and lust, sent Tamar to her brother. Advised by his shrewd and manipulative friend, Jonadab, Amnon pretended to be ill, asking for his sister to come and care for him. In this story, Amnon, Tamar’s half-brother, was consumed by lust for his sister. The second Tamar of the Old Testament was the beautiful daughter of David and sister of Absalom. Story 2: Tamar, Amnon, and Absalom ( 2 Samuel 13) I am afraid that he too may die, like his brothers” ( Genesis 38:11). But rather that offer up his third son, Judah refused, telling Tamar, “remain a widow in your father’s house until my son Shelah grows up. Here, Judah was expected to provide another one of his sons to marry and care for Tamar. Now twice-widowed, Tamar was childless and alone. So instead of conceiving a child with Tamar, Onan “wasted his seed on the ground in order not to give offspring to his brother.” It was a vile act that displeased the Lord, and so, “He (the Lord) took his life also” ( Genesis 38:10). Now although Onan took Tamar as his wife, he refused to bear a child that he would not be able to call his own. In this case, the responsibility fell to Onan, Er’s younger brother. In levirate marriage, the duty of the brother-in-law was to father a male heir with his brother’s widow to carry his brother’s name and ensure his inheritance ( Deuteronomy 25:5). However, according to Scripture, “Er was evil in the sight of the Lord, so the Lord took his life,”making Tamar a widow ( Genesis 38:7). When their oldest son Er came of age, Judah and Shua found him a wife named Tamar. In the story, Judah, the fourth-born son of Jacob (Israel), had left his father and brothers and married a Canaanite woman named Shua. Scenes from Joseph's story were painted by Pontormo and Bacchiacca for Pierfrancesco Borgherini.Genesis 38 intersects the Joseph narrative with an absolutely bizarre story regarding one of Joseph’s brothers, Judah, and his relationship with his daughter-in-law Tamar. Joseph is often seen as an Old Testament equivalent, or prefiguration, of Christ. The story is recounted in the Old Testament (Genesis 37, 39-45) Joseph invited his father and brothers to come and settle in Egypt.
They did not recognise him but after he was satisfied that they were reformed he identified himself with great joy. He wisely rationed the country's produce in preparation for a time of famine.ĭuring the famine Jacob's sons came to Egypt to plead with Joseph for supplies. Due to his ability to interpret Pharaoh's dream he was made governor of Egypt. Potiphar's wife tried unsuccessfully to seduce him and after false accusations were levelled at Joseph he was imprisoned. He was taken to Egypt and eventually became steward to Potiphar, one of Pharaoh's officials. His brothers were jealous of him and sold him into slavery. His father loved him more than any of the others and gave him a coloured cloak.