The Church Fathers on this verse

2 Kingdoms (2 Samuel) 13:8Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

And Thamar came to the house of Ammon her brother: but he was laid down: and she took meal and tempered it: and dissolving it in his sight she made little messes.

Douay-Rheims

וַתֵּ֣לֶךְ תָּמָ֗ר בֵּ֛ית אַמְנ֥וֹן אָחִ֖יהָ וְה֣וּא שֹׁכֵ֑ב וַתִּקַּ֨ח אֶת־הַבָּצֵ֤ק ותלוש וַתָּ֙לָשׁ֙ וַתְּלַבֵּ֣ב לְעֵינָ֔יו וַתְּבַשֵּׁ֖ל אֶת־הַלְּבִבֽוֹת׃

Hebrew (Masoretic text)

The Church Fathers on this verse

One Church Father comments on this verse

Fructuosus of Braga

7th centuryChurch Father

One ought not to place confidence in past purity, for there is none more just than David or wiser than Solomon; yet even their hearts were led astray by women. To guard against the false sense of security that comes from interacting with female relatives, one should recall how Tamar was violated by Amnon, who feigned illness. Thus, both monks and nuns are called to lead such a pure life that they offer a faithful witness not only to God but also to humanity, serving as exemplars of holiness for their followers.