Tamar's first husband was Er, the eldest son of Judah.
Tamar's Initial Marriage in Genesis
As described in Genesis chapter 38, Tamar's first marriage was to Er. He was the firstborn son of Judah, one of the twelve sons of Jacob and a prominent figure in the patriarchal lineage.
However, their union was tragically cut short:
- Er's Wickedness: The biblical account states that Er was wicked in the sight of the Lord.
- Divine Judgment: Due to his wickedness, God took Er's life, leaving Tamar widowed without an heir.
Following Er's death, an ancient custom known as a levirate union was enacted. This practice required a deceased man's brother to marry his widow to provide offspring, ensuring the continuation of the family line and inheritance. Consequently, Judah instructed his second son, Onan, to take Tamar as his wife to fulfill this duty.
Key Figures in Tamar's Early Life
| Relationship | Name | Role/Context |
|---|---|---|
| First Husband | Er | Judah's eldest son, Tamar's first husband, died due to wickedness. |
| Father-in-law | Judah | Father of Er, Onan, and Shelah; directed levirate unions for Tamar. |
| Second Husband* | Onan | Judah's second son, tasked with a levirate union after Er's death. |
| Third Brother-in-law | Shelah | Judah's youngest son, promised to Tamar but not given to her immediately. |
*Onan was asked to be Tamar's husband in a levirate union, but he also died after refusing to fulfill his duty.
