Why Did Tamar Play The Harlot?

Tamar, the wife of Judah’s oldest son Er, became a widow when her husband was killed by God because of his wickedness. Judah’s second born son Onan was then told to marry Tamar and raise up a child in honor of his brother Er. This was a custom that was done in ancient times before the laws of Deuteronomy were given to the children of Israel. A custom called the levirate marriage was a marriage that obliged the brother of a deceased man to marry his widow wife. However, instead of Oman fulfilling his duties to give Tamar a child he spilled his seed on the ground because he knew that the child would not be his. This displeased God and so Onan was also killed.

So, Judah, who is Tamar’s father in law, promised to give his youngest child to Tamar when he was old enough, even though he did not want to. “Then said Judah to Tamar his daughter in law, Remain a widow at thy father's house, till Shelah my son be grown: for he said, Lest peradventure he die also, as his brethren did. And Tamar went and dwelt in her father's house.” Genesis 38:11. As time passes on Judah’s wife dies. When Tamar realized that Shelah was grown, and that she was not given to him to wife, she soon realized Judah’s empty promise to her would leave her as a widow with no children. “And she put her widow's garments off from her, and covered her with a vail, and wrapped herself, and sat in an open place, which is by the way to Timnath; for she saw that Shelah was grown, and she was not given unto him to wife.” Genesis 38:14.

Tamar knew that Judah would be away from home, so she followed him and dressed up as a prostitute and sat in an opened place. When Judah saw her, he thought her to be an harlot; because she had covered her face. And he turned unto her by the way, and said, Go to, I pray thee, let me come in unto thee; (for he knew not that she was his daughter in law.) And she said, What wilt thou give me, that thou mayest come in unto me?” Genesis 38:15-16. Tamar and Judah negotiated her price and they both agreed upon a young goat. Judah agreed to send Tamar a goat, however, Tamar demanded a belonging of Judah’s to solidify the purchase. Judah gave Tamar his signet, bracelets, and staff, and afterwards they had sex and she got pregnant. After this encounter Tamar arose and took off her prostitute outfit and she switched back into her widow clothing. In the meantime, Judah sent a friend to find the prostitute so that he could give her the goat in exchange for his belongings, unfortunately he did not find her.

“And it came to pass about three months after, that it was told Judah, saying, Tamar thy daughter in law hath played the harlot; and also, behold, she is with child by whoredom. And Judah said, Bring her forth, and let her be burnt.” Genesis 38:24. When Tamar was found to be pregnant it was clear that she was playing the harlot because she was not married, but she was with child. Judah, showing little regard for Tamar wanted her burned for her abomination. “When she was brought forth, she sent to her father in law, saying, By the man, whose these are, am I with child: and she said, Discern, I pray thee, whose are these, the signet, and bracelets, and staff. And Judah acknowledged them, and said, She hath been more righteous than I; because that I gave her not to Shelah my son. And he knew her again no more.” Genesis 38:25-16

In conclusion, Tamar played the harlot because she was promised a husband through her stepfather Judah. A husband would provide Tamar with children who in return would bless her in her old age. Tamar would go on to conceive two twin boys from Judah. Tamar was able to save herself from the crime of harlotry by proving that the man who got her pregnant was just as guilty as she was. Judah was able to acknowledge his wrong by calling Tamar more righteous than him. Judah not only took advantage of a prostitute, but he failed to provide a husband for Tamar who was his daughter in law. Tamar and Judah are not good examples of righteousness, but God used them both anyhow. How many of us today have played the harlot to gain something out of life? And how many men have failed to marry those who they had sex with? Let’s let this example be a lesson in how we should conduct our lives as Christians and let us give thanks to God’s goodness and mercy because many of us today were born into this world just as the children of Tamar were.