and Judah the father of Perez and Zerah by Tamar, and Perez the father of Hezron, and Hezron the father of Ram, and Ram the father of Amminadab, and Amminadab the father of Nahshon, and Nahshon the father of Salmon,
English Standard Version (ESV)
Notice how Tamar, a woman involved in an incestuous encounter, is explicitly named in this lineage. This isn't an oversight; it highlights how God, in His sovereign plan, intentionally weaves even the most scandalous situations into the tapestry of salvation history, demonstrating Christ's mission to redeem all people, regardless of their past.
and Judah the father of Perez and Zerah by Tamar, and Perez the father of Hezron, and Hezron the father of Ram, and Ram the father of Amminadab, and Amminadab the father of Nahshon, and Nahshon the father of Salmon,
English Standard Version (ESV)
Matthew is unfolding the royal lineage of Jesus, tracing his ancestry back through King David to Abraham. This particular verse highlights key figures in the line of Judah, including Tamar, whose story is marked by deception and the birth of twins, Perez and Zerah, emphasizing that Jesus' ancestry wasn't always straightforward or conventional. The inclusion of women like Tamar, and later Rahab, Ruth, and Bathsheba, signals Matthew's intention to showcase God's grace working through unexpected and even scandalous circumstances to bring about the Savior.
This genealogy mentions Tamar, a woman whose story is fraught with deception and societal scandal. Why would Matthew include her in Jesus' family tree?
The inclusion of Tamar in Jesus' lineage is striking. Her story, detailed in Genesis 38, involves Judah, her father-in-law, disguising himself as a prostitute to sleep with her. This act, born out of perceived injustice and broken promises, was scandalous by any standard. Yet, Matthew includes her, and importantly, names her. This highlights a crucial theme: God's redemptive plan often works through and despite human brokenness and sin. Tamar, by her bold (though morally complex) actions, ensured the continuation of Judah's line, which ultimately led to the Messiah. Her inclusion isn't an endorsement of the sin, but a testament to God's faithfulness in bringing salvation through imperfect people.
Judah's sons, Perez and Zerah, are mentioned together. What's significant about these twins and their place in Jesus' ancestry?
The birth of Perez and Zerah is unusual, and their inclusion here is noteworthy. In the Genesis account, Zerah's hand comes out first, but Perez is born first. This unusual birth order, with the younger (Perez) being the one who ultimately heads the lineage, has been seen by some as a foreshadowing. It hints at a divine principle where the unexpected or the overlooked might be elevated. For Matthew, including both twins, and specifically highlighting Perez as the ancestor, could serve as an early signal of the Messiah's mission: to bring the marginalized and unexpected into the fold, paralleling the elevation of Gentiles and sinners into God's kingdom, just as the younger twin triumphed over the elder.
Ask a follow-up
Unlike most genealogies, Matthew includes several women. Why are these particular women, like Tamar, singled out in Jesus' family tree?
The inclusion of women in ancient Jewish genealogies was rare. Matthew’s inclusion of Tamar, and later Rahab, Ruth, and Bathsheba (in subsequent verses), is intentional and significant. These women were not typical matriarchs; they came from diverse backgrounds, some with questionable histories (Tamar, Rahab, Bathsheba) and others from outside Israel (Rahab, Ruth). Matthew, presenting Jesus as the Kingly Messiah, deliberately weaves these stories into His lineage. This powerfully demonstrates that Jesus came not just for the righteous or the 'pure' Israelite bloodline, but for all people. His ancestry includes those considered outsiders and sinners, highlighting His mission to redeem and embrace those on the fringes, fulfilling the promise of salvation for the lost.
The inclusion of Tamar in Jesus' genealogy highlights God's powerful ability to weave even scandalous and unconventional circumstances into His redemptive plan, ultimately bringing forth the Savior through this very line.
c. 1800 BC— this verse
Judah and Tamar's Story
Judah, son of Jacob, engages in deception with his daughter-in-law Tamar. She conceives twins, Perez and Zerah, through this illicit union. This event is detailed in Genesis 38.
c. 1400-1000 BC
Israel's Conquest and Settlement
Following their exodus from Egypt, the Israelites conquer and settle the land of Canaan. This period establishes the tribal structures and lineage records that continue through the Old Testament.
c. 1000 BC
Davidic Kingdom Established
King David establishes a united kingdom of Israel and Judah, with Jerusalem as its capital. This marks the beginning of a royal lineage from which the Messiah is promised to descend.
c. 586 BC
Babylonian Exile
The Babylonian Empire conquers Jerusalem and exiles many of the Jewish people. This event significantly disrupts the existing social and political structures, including genealogical records.
c. 538 BC
Return from Exile
Following the Babylonian exile, some Jewish people are permitted to return to Jerusalem and rebuild the Temple. This period sees the re-establishment of Jewish community and a renewed focus on lineage and law.
This passage details the complex and scandalous story of Judah, Tamar, and the birth of Perez and Zerah, which is directly referenced here and provides crucial context for the unusual inclusion of Tamar in Jesus' lineage.
Ruth 4:13-17This passage shows Ruth, another non-Israelite woman, entering David's lineage, highlighting a pattern of God using people outside the expected circles to bring about His redemptive purposes, mirroring Tamar's inclusion.
1 Chronicles 2:4-15This Old Testament genealogy also traces David's lineage and includes many of the same figures, offering a parallel account and further context for the individuals mentioned in Matthew's Gospel.
Matthew 1:5-6These verses continue the genealogy, introducing Rahab and Ruth, other women with noteworthy and sometimes scandalous histories, showing a deliberate pattern by Matthew to include individuals who were either Gentiles or had questionable pasts.
Romans 15:8-12This passage speaks to Jesus fulfilling God's promises to Israel and extending salvation to the Gentiles, which is underscored by the inclusion of non-Israelite women like Tamar (through her descendants) in Jesus' lineage.
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…
Notice how Tamar, a woman involved in an incestuous encounter, is explicitly named in this lineage. This isn't an oversight; it highlights how God, in His sovereign plan, intentionally weaves even the most scandalous situations into the tapestry of salvation history, demonstrating Christ's mission to redeem all people, regardless of their past.
Matthew is unfolding the royal lineage of Jesus, tracing his ancestry back through King David to Abraham. This particular verse highlights key figures in the line of Judah, including Tamar, whose story is marked by deception and the birth of twins, Perez and Zerah, emphasizing that Jesus' ancestry wasn't always straightforward or conventional. The inclusion of women like Tamar, and later Rahab, Ruth, and Bathsheba, signals Matthew's intention to showcase God's grace working through unexpected and even scandalous circumstances to bring about the Savior.
Matthew is unfolding the royal lineage of Jesus, tracing his ancestry back through King David to Abraham. This particular verse highlights key figures in the line of Judah, including Tamar, whose story is marked by deception and the birth of twins, Perez and Zerah, emphasizing that Jesus' ancestry wasn't always straightforward or conventional. The inclusion of women like Tamar, and later Rahab, Ruth, and Bathsheba, signals Matthew's intention to showcase God's grace working through unexpected and even scandalous circumstances to bring about the Savior.
"and Judah the father of Perez and Zerah by Tamar, and Perez the father of Hezron, and Hezron the father of Ram, and Ram the father of Amminadab, and Amminadab the father of Nahshon, and Nahshon the father of Salmon," — Notice how Tamar, a woman involved in an incestuous encounter, is explicitly named in this lineage. This isn't an oversight; it highlights how God, in His sovereign plan, intentionally weaves even th…
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Last reviewed October 2026