Genesis 38:16 : Tamar's Transaction
Natalia Buskin Mardani
Professor Sasson
Judaism, Christianity and Islam
November 10th, 2014
Tamar’s Transaction While our marriage policies have evolved, our standpoint of prostitution has not changed; the woman still controls the transaction. Prostitution has always carried a negative social stigma, as the women within question have always been desired yet also hated. However, each case seems different, and within biblical narrative, it is not necessarily the need for a payment, but getting what they were originally promised. This paper will cover the history of Genesis 38:16, and conclude that most of its interpreters view Tamar’s action as heroic, and even in accord with God to keep that family lineage active. To put things into broader perspective Tamar is taken away from her home, and brought into Judah’s family to marry his eldest son, Er. However, Er is described to be wicked within the sight of the Lord (Gen.39:7) and the lord took his life. Tamar is then put into the position of levirate marriage, where her deceased husband whom died childless, is now expected to partake in sexual matter with his brother, Onan to continue the family lineage. However, Onan is aware that the children would not be his, due to the levirate marriage, and so he spilled his seed, which the Lord also saw was evil and killed him as well. (Gen. 39:9-10) When Judah is left with his youngest child left, he grows worried for his life and sends Tamar back to her father’s place, promising her that once Shelah, his youngest, is of age, she may return to marry him and continue the levirate marriage. This unfortunately for Tamar is a lie and she finds out that she has been deceived when she overhears that Judah is taking part of sheep shearing, and is right to assume Shelah is of age. She then is described to have rid of her widow garments and covered herself in a veil. When Judah saw her, he assumed she was a harlot and therefore approached her for sexual favours. The verse I will be
Professor Sasson
Judaism, Christianity and Islam
November 10th, 2014
Tamar’s Transaction While our marriage policies have evolved, our standpoint of prostitution has not changed; the woman still controls the transaction. Prostitution has always carried a negative social stigma, as the women within question have always been desired yet also hated. However, each case seems different, and within biblical narrative, it is not necessarily the need for a payment, but getting what they were originally promised. This paper will cover the history of Genesis 38:16, and conclude that most of its interpreters view Tamar’s action as heroic, and even in accord with God to keep that family lineage active. To put things into broader perspective Tamar is taken away from her home, and brought into Judah’s family to marry his eldest son, Er. However, Er is described to be wicked within the sight of the Lord (Gen.39:7) and the lord took his life. Tamar is then put into the position of levirate marriage, where her deceased husband whom died childless, is now expected to partake in sexual matter with his brother, Onan to continue the family lineage. However, Onan is aware that the children would not be his, due to the levirate marriage, and so he spilled his seed, which the Lord also saw was evil and killed him as well. (Gen. 39:9-10) When Judah is left with his youngest child left, he grows worried for his life and sends Tamar back to her father’s place, promising her that once Shelah, his youngest, is of age, she may return to marry him and continue the levirate marriage. This unfortunately for Tamar is a lie and she finds out that she has been deceived when she overhears that Judah is taking part of sheep shearing, and is right to assume Shelah is of age. She then is described to have rid of her widow garments and covered herself in a veil. When Judah saw her, he assumed she was a harlot and therefore approached her for sexual favours. The verse I will be