Dramaturgically, we have Tamar as a parallel character to Mary (mother of Jesus) in the Gospels, and by juxtaposing the predicament of Tamar in (Genesis 38:24) and Mary (Matthew 1:18), we see both being with child out of wedlock, face faced certain ruination: “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” (KJV). Compared to Mary when: as “Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a publick example, was minded to put her away privily” (KJV). However, in parallel fashion, when the true father of each child is discovered, both women are honored (Genesis 38:3626, cf Luke 1:42). [Judah declares “She hath been more righteous than I.” The Hebrew word for “righteous” צָדַק. (tsadaq) denotes “to have a just cause, be in the right; to be just (of God); and to be just, be righteous (in conduct and character)” (Davidson 640).  Likewise, the reversal of reputation for Mary is proclaimed by Elizabeth when she proclaims“Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb” (Luke 1:42). The Greek for blessed, εὐλογέω (eulogeō), denotes “to praise, celebrate with praises; to invoke blessings; to consecrate a thing with solemn prayers” (Kittle 2: 754-765). In both cases we have a plot reversal, with Tamar and Mary, who face certain ruin—given their respective predicaments— are lauded with tributes.                 Tamar's mystery revealedTamar and Mary were in a similar predicament. Tamar has been discovered to be with child and was going to be killed. (Ge 38:24) Mary was discovered with child and was going to be put away. (Mt 1:18-19) When the true father of each child was discovered, they both were honored. (Ge 38:26, Lk 1:42) Such a coincidence. Each had wanted an assurance of a promise. Tamar had received three things from Judah (Ge 38:18) and Mary had received three saying from the angel that announced her pregnancy. (Lk 1:35) These are easy parallels to understand, but they are easy to dismiss as accidents of history until we examine the whole story:  The appointmentJudah and Tamar God and Mary Ge 38:14 Tamar met Judah before Timnath (the appointment) Mary met God before the appointed time of Christ. “It is appointed unto man once to die…” (Heb 9:27)  The scapegoatJudah and Tamar God and Mary Tamar was offered a goat by Judah. (Ge 38:17) Mary was offered THE scapegoat, since the angel told her “He will save his people from their sins.” (Mt 1:21) (words used of the scapegoat)(1) (1) And In the ritual of the scapegoat, two goats are presented. They represent Jesus before and after the cross. One is killed for a burnt offering. In the burnt offering, the priest do not get to eat any part of it since it is completely consumed by fire. It represents the Son’s total devotion to the Father which we cannot participate in, but only stand and watch in awe. The smell of the burnt offering is a sweet savor unto the Lord since there is not hint of sin involved in it. You can see the first instance of a burnt offering is when Abraham was willing to sacrifice his son Isaac AND Isaac was willing to be obedient to his father. (Ge 22:2 ) The second goat is released into the wilderness to carry away the sins of the people. It represents Christ’s resurrection, which demonstrates that his sacrifice for us was accepted. Since Jesus is the fulfillment of the scapegoat images, Mary had also been promised a goat. The virgin birthJudah and Tamar God and Mary Judah told Tamar he would send a goat. The word he used also means ‘sow’. (Ge 38:17) God told Mary she would conceive miraculously by the Holy Ghost. God would 'sow' the goat. (Lk 1:35)  The need for assuranceJudah and Tamar God and Mary Tamar wanted an assurance that she would receive the goat, (Ge 38:17) Mary asked for an assuring word of explanation. (Lk 1:34)  Three assurancesJudah and Tamar God and Mary Tamar was given the staff or rod which represents the power of God in discipline. (Pr 22:15, Pr 23:13, Pr 29:15) Mary was told the power of the Highest would overshadow her. (Lk 1:35) She was not being disciplined, but God’s discipline upon mankind as borne by His Son and her son, overshadowed her life. Tamar was given the signet ring. (Ge 38:18) A signet ring declares the wearer to be continued]a son. Mary was told that he would be called the Son of God. (Lk 1:35)

TwinsJudah and Tamar God and Mary were in a similar predicament. Tamar has been discovered to be with child and was going to be killed. bore twins ([[Ge 38:24]]27) Mary was discovered with child and was going to be put away. ([[Mt 1:18bore the dual-natured God-19]]) When the true father of each child was discovered, they both were honoredMan. ([[Ge 38:26]], [[Lk 1Joh 8:42]]58) Such a coincidence.

Each had wanted an assurance The names of a promise. Tamar had received three things from Judah ([[Ge 38:18]]) the twins mean 'breaking forth' and Mary had received three saying from the angel that announced her pregnancy'rising sun' Jesus was called Dayspring. ([[Lk Lu 1:35]]78) These are easy parallels to understand, but they are easy to dismiss as accidents of history until we examine the whole story: