and Judah the father of Perez and Zerah by Tamar, and Perez the father of Hezron, and Hezron the father of Ram,
English Standard Version (ESV)
The surprising inclusion of Tamar, a woman known for a morally questionable act that resulted in her father-in-law's children, isn't just a historical detail but a bold statement. It highlights that God's plan for redemption, even from its very beginning through Jesus' lineage, includes those with messy, imperfect pasts, showing His grace extends beyond conventional expectations.
and Judah the father of Perez and Zerah by Tamar, and Perez the father of Hezron, and Hezron the father of Ram,
English Standard Version (ESV)
Matthew is beginning the genealogy of Jesus, tracing his lineage back through Abraham. This verse specifically details the line descending from Judah, the son of Jacob, highlighting the births of Perez and Zerah, and noting that Tamar was their mother. The inclusion of Tamar, whose story in Genesis involves difficult circumstances, sets a tone for this genealogy by including women whose histories were irregular or carried a stigma.
When you read a family tree, you expect a list of names. But Matthew includes women, and not just any women. What's their significance?
Matthew's inclusion of women like Tamar in Jesus' genealogy is unusual for Jewish records of the time. Typically, only men were listed, tracing lineage through the father's line. However, Matthew intentionally includes Tamar (and later Rahab, Ruth, and Bathsheba) for specific reasons:
Highlighting God's Grace and Inclusion
Fulfilling Covenant Promises
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Judah's sons, Perez and Zerah, were twins. But it's not just their twin status that's interesting—it's the order they're mentioned.
In this genealogy, Matthew records, 'Judah the father of Perez and Zerah.' The significant detail here is the order: Perez is named before Zerah.
The Significance of the Firstborn
A Precursor to Future Blessings
The inclusion of Tamar is striking because her story is far from ordinary. It’s a tale of deception, societal breakdown, and desperate measures.
Tamar's appearance in Jesus' lineage is a stark reminder that God's redemptive plan is woven through messy human lives.
A Story of Betrayal and Resilience
God's Sovereignty Over Sin and Shame
Matthew includes scandalous and non-Israelite women in Jesus' genealogy to highlight God's grace and inclusive plan, showing that Christ came to save all, regardless of background or past sins.
c. 1800 BC— this verse
Judah and Tamar's Story
Judah, son of Jacob, engages in a deceptive encounter with his daughter-in-law Tamar, resulting in the birth of twins, Perez and Zerah. This event, detailed in Genesis 38, marks a significant, though scandalous, moment in the lineage leading to David.
c. 1400-1000 BC
Exodus and Conquest of Canaan
The Israelites, after centuries in Egypt, are led out by Moses to the Promised Land. This period sets the stage for the establishment of the Israelite nation, including the eventual rise of the Davidic monarchy.
c. 1000 BC
Davidic Monarchy Established
David becomes king over all Israel, uniting the tribes and establishing Jerusalem as the capital. God promises David an everlasting dynasty, a crucial prophetic anchor for future generations.
c. 970 BC
Solomon's Reign and Temple
Solomon, David's son, succeeds him and builds the magnificent temple in Jerusalem. His reign represents the peak of Israel's unified kingdom.
c. 586 BC
Babylonian Exile Begins
The Babylonian Empire conquers Jerusalem, destroys the Temple, and deports a significant portion of the Jewish population. This event marks a dramatic disruption of Israelite society and the Davidic monarchy.
c. 539 BC
Return from Exile
Cyrus the Great of Persia allows the Jewish exiles to return to Jerusalem and begin rebuilding the Temple. This marks the beginning of the Second Temple period and a restoration of Jewish community life.
This is the primary narrative detailing the scandalous story of Judah, Tamar, and the birth of Perez and Zerah, providing the full context for their inclusion in this genealogy.
Ruth 4:18-22This passage shows Tamar's descendant, Boaz, marrying Ruth, another gentile woman included in Jesus' lineage, highlighting how God weaves unexpected people and stories into His redemptive plan.
2 Samuel 7:12-16This foundational covenant promises David an eternal dynasty, directly linking Jesus' lineage back to King David and the fulfillment of God's promise of a lasting kingdom.
1 Chronicles 2:3-15This Old Testament genealogy also traces the line from Judah through Perez to David, offering another perspective on this significant ancestral line and including some of the same key figures.
Romans 3:23-24This New Testament passage speaks to the universal sinfulness of humanity and God's abundant, unmerited grace through Christ, offering a theological lens for understanding why the genealogy includes individuals with questionable histories.
bensonMatthew 1:3: "And Judas begat Phares and Zara of Thamar; and Phares begat Esrom; and Esrom begat Aram;"
Matthew 1:3 . And Judas begat Phares and Zara — Some have observed that these sons of Judah are mentioned together because they were twins born at the same time: but if this had been a reason for assigning Zara the honour of being named in this genealogy, Esau, the twin brother of Jacob, ought to have obtained it likewise. He seems rather to be mentioned to prevent any mistake. For if he had…
clarkeMatthew 1:3: "And Judas begat Phares and Zara of Thamar; and Phares begat Esrom; and Esrom begat Aram;"
Phares and Zara - The remarkable history of these twins may be seen, Genesis 38 :Some of the ancients were of opinion, that the evangelist refers to the mystery of the youngest being preferred to the eldest, as prefiguring the exaltation of the Christian Church over the synagogue. Concerning the women whose names are recorded in this genealogy, see the note at the end of the chapter, ( Matthe…
The surprising inclusion of Tamar, a woman known for a morally questionable act that resulted in her father-in-law's children, isn't just a historical detail but a bold statement. It highlights that God's plan for redemption, even from its very beginning through Jesus' lineage, includes those with messy, imperfect pasts, showing His grace extends beyond conventional expectations.
Matthew is beginning the genealogy of Jesus, tracing his lineage back through Abraham. This verse specifically details the line descending from Judah, the son of Jacob, highlighting the births of Perez and Zerah, and noting that Tamar was their mother. The inclusion of Tamar, whose story in Genesis involves difficult circumstances, sets a tone for this genealogy by including women whose histories were irregular or carried a stigma.
Matthew is beginning the genealogy of Jesus, tracing his lineage back through Abraham. This verse specifically details the line descending from Judah, the son of Jacob, highlighting the births of Perez and Zerah, and noting that Tamar was their mother. The inclusion of Tamar, whose story in Genesis involves difficult circumstances, sets a tone for this genealogy by including women whose histories were irregular or carried a stigma.
"and Judah the father of Perez and Zerah by Tamar, and Perez the father of Hezron, and Hezron the father of Ram," — The surprising inclusion of Tamar, a woman known for a morally questionable act that resulted in her father-in-law's children, isn't just a historical detail but a bold statement. It highlights that…
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Last reviewed October 2026