Tamar’s Prayer for Justification

In Genesis 38, Tamar fulfills her duty to bear a son to carry on the name of her deceased husband (Deuteronomy 25:5–10) by dressing as a prostitute and enticing her father-in-law, Judah, who has not fulfilled his obligation to provide his last son as her husband. When Judah learns that his daughter-in-law has become pregnant, he orders her burned to death, not knowing that he is the father. Tamar then reveals that Judah is the father by presenting his signet, cord, and staff, which he has given her as collateral.

Targum Neofiti supplies a prayer offered by Tamar when she is sentenced to death. Tamar bargains with God, promising that if God provides her with three “witnesses” (the signet, cord, and staff) to save her from death by fire, there will be three righteous men who sanctify God’s name in fire (Daniel 3).