Topical Encyclopedia
Overview:Tidal is a biblical figure mentioned in the Old Testament, specifically in the Book of Genesis. He is identified as one of the kings involved in a significant military alliance during the time of Abraham. Tidal's role is primarily associated with the events surrounding the Battle of the Valley of Siddim, which is a pivotal moment in the narrative of Genesis.
Biblical References:Tidal is mentioned in
Genesis 14:1, where he is referred to as "Tidal king of Goiim." The passage states: "In those days Amraphel king of Shinar, Arioch king of Ellasar, Kedorlaomer king of Elam, and Tidal king of Goiim went to war." (
Genesis 14:1). This verse introduces Tidal as part of a coalition of four kings who waged war against five other kings in the region of Canaan.
Historical Context:The account of Tidal and the coalition of kings is set in the patriarchal period, a time characterized by tribal confederations and city-states. The coalition led by Kedorlaomer, which included Tidal, sought to reassert dominance over the rebelling city-states of the Jordan Valley, including Sodom and Gomorrah. This conflict is one of the earliest recorded wars in biblical history and highlights the geopolitical dynamics of the ancient Near East.
Name and Identity:The name "Tidal" is thought to be of Hittite or Hurrian origin, though its exact meaning remains uncertain. The title "king of Goiim" has been interpreted in various ways. "Goiim" is a Hebrew term that generally means "nations" or "peoples," leading some scholars to suggest that Tidal may have been a ruler over a confederation of tribes or a region with diverse ethnic groups.
Role in the Battle of the Valley of Siddim:The coalition of kings, including Tidal, engaged in battle with the kings of Sodom, Gomorrah, Admah, Zeboiim, and Bela (Zoar) in the Valley of Siddim, which is near the Dead Sea. The conflict is described in
Genesis 14:8-10, where the kings of Sodom and Gomorrah are defeated, and their cities are plundered. This event sets the stage for Abraham's intervention, as his nephew Lot is taken captive during the raid.
Abraham's Intervention:Following the capture of Lot, Abraham mobilizes a small force to rescue him.
Genesis 14:14-16 recounts how Abraham, with 318 trained men, pursued the coalition of kings, defeated them, and recovered all the goods and captives, including Lot. This act of bravery and faith underscores Abraham's role as a protector of his family and a man of God.
Theological Significance:Tidal's involvement in the narrative of
Genesis 14 highlights the broader theme of divine providence and protection. The successful rescue of Lot by Abraham, despite the overwhelming odds, serves as a testament to God's faithfulness and the power of righteous action. The episode also foreshadows the future blessings and covenantal promises that God would establish with Abraham and his descendants.
Conclusion:While Tidal is a relatively minor figure in the biblical narrative, his participation in the coalition of kings provides important historical and theological insights. The account of Tidal and the Battle of the Valley of Siddim illustrates the complex interplay of human ambition and divine intervention in the unfolding account of God's people.
Hitchcock's Bible Names Dictionary
Tidalthat breaks the yoke; knowledge of elevation
Smith's Bible Dictionary
Tidal(great son) is mentioned only in (Genesis 14:1,9) (B.C. about 1900.) He is called "king of nations," from which we may conclude that he was a chief over various nomadic tribes who inhabited different portions of Mesopotamia at different seasons of the year, as do the Arabs at the present day.
ATS Bible Dictionary
TidalApparently the chief of several allied tribes, with whom he joined Chedorlaomer in the invasion of the vale of Siddim, Mount Seir, etc., and was defeated by Abraham,Genesis 14:1-6.
Easton's Bible Dictionary
(in the LXX. called "Thorgal"), styled the "king of nations" (
Genesis 14:1-9). Mentioned as Tudkhula on Arioch's brick (see facing page 139). Goyyim, translated "nations," is the country called Gutium, east of Tigris and north of Elam.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
(
a.) Of or pertaining to tides; caused by tides; having tides; periodically rising and falling, or following and ebbing; as, tidal waters.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
TIDALti'-dal (tidh`al; Thalga, Thalgal, Codex E, Thargal):
1. The Name and Its Forms:
Tidal is mentioned inGenesis 14:1, 9 in the account of the expedition of Chedorlaomer of Elam, with his allies, Amraphel of Shinar (Babylonia), Arioch of Ellasar, and Tidal, who is called "king of nations" (the King James Version) (goyim, Targum `ammin). Whether the last-named took part in this expedition as one of Chedorlaomer's vassals or not is unknown. The Greek form possibly prints to an earlier pronunciation Tadgal.
2. Its Babylonian Equivalent:
The only name in the cuneiform inscriptions resembling Tidal is Tudhula, or, as it was probably later pronounced, Tudhul. This, from its form, might be Sumerian, meaning "evil progeny," or the like. In addition to the improbability of a name with such a signification, however, his title "king of goyim," or "nations," inGenesis 14:1, presupposes a ruler of another race.
3. The Babylonian Tudhula and His Time:
The inscription in which the name Tudhula occurs is one of three of late date (4th to 3rd century B.C.), all referring, apparently, to the same historical period. The text in question (Sp. iii.2) is of unbaked clay, and is broken and defaced. After referring to a ruler who did not maintain the temples, Durmah-ilani son of Eri-Aku (Arioch) is referred to, appatently as one who ravaged the country, and "waters (came) over Babylon and E-sagila," its great temple. The words which follow suggest that Durmah-ilani was slain by his son, after which a new invader appeared, who would seem to have been Tudhula, son of Gazza(ni?). He likewise ravaged the land, and floods again invaded Babylon and E-sagila. To all appearance he met with the fate which overtook Durmah-ilani-death at the hands of his son, who "smote his head." Then came the Elamite, apparently Chedorlaomer, who was likewise slain. This inscription, therefore, gave historical quotations of the fate which overtook those who were regarded as enemas of the gods.
4. Doubts as to His Identity:
Though we have here the long-sought name of Tidal, it may legitimately be doubted whether this personage was the ruler of that name mentioned inGenesis 14. The "nations" (goyim) which he ruled are regarded by Sayce as having been wandering hordes (umman manda), probably Medes. On the other hand, the occurrence of the name Dudhalia, son of Hattusil (Khetasir), contemporary of Rameses II, in the inscriptions found at Hattu, the capital of the Hittites, suggests that that extensive confederation may have been the "nations" referred to. In other words, Tidal or Tudhula (for Dudhalia) was an earlier ruler bearing the same name as Hattusil's son.
5. Probably a Hittite:
If he be, as is possible, the same personage as is mentioned inGenesis 14, he must have fought against Arioch's son, conquered his domains and been killed, in his turn, by either the Biblical Chedorlaomer or another Elamite ruler beaming the same or a similar name. SeeAMRAPHEL;ARIOCH; CHEDORLAOMER; ERI-AKU; NATIONS.
Strong's Hebrew
8413.Tidal -- perhaps a Canaanite king... 8412, 8413.
Tidal. 8414 . perhaps a Canaanite king. Transliteration:
Tidal Phonetic Spelling: (tid-awl') Short Definition:
Tidal.
...8414. tohu -- formlessness, confusion, unreality, emptiness
... meaningless arguments (1), nothing (2), waste (3), waste place (2).Tidal.
From an unused root meaning to lie waste; a desolation...
Library
The History after the Flood.
... among those called Chald??ans, the first king was Arioch, and next after him Ellasar,
and after him Chedorlaomer, king of Elam, and after himTidal, king of...
Chapter xiv
... 1. And it came to pass in the days of Amraphel, king of Shinar, and Arioch, king
of Ellasar, Chedorlaomer, king of Elam, andTidal, king of Goyim....
Geological Reform.
... Laplace, therefore, laid the responsibility of the acceleration upon the moon; and
if his views were correct, thetidal retardation must either be...
The Olivet Message.
... If that young man whose inner life is passion-swept, onetidal wave of fierce
temptation, hot on the heels of the last, until all the moorings are snapped, and...
Spiritual Growth
... On the one hand, we know that spiritual experience is marked by certain crises which
are in some cases like earthquakes ortidal waves; whilst, on the other...
Voyage to India.
... Calcutta is a hundred miles from the sea, but the country is so level that the tide
runs up in great strength many miles beyond, and thetidal wave, which...
Our Need of a World to Win.
... lives. Every man needs a great purpose to grip his life. So he is anchored
and held steady against the world'stidal movements. If...
The Second Coming of Christ.
... Such changes will be followed by corresponding commotions on our planet, as, for
instance, greattidal waves and vast agitation in the ocean]; 26 men fainting...
The Destruction of the Sodomites by the Assyrian Wall.
... but on the thirteenth year they rebelled, and then the army of the Assyrians came
upon them, under their commanders Amraphel, Arioch, Chodorlaomer, andTidal....
Prolegomena.
... conquests, and is said to have proceeded to Rhegium, at the very toe of Italy, and
there, riding up to a column on the shore through thetidal waves, to have...
Thesaurus
Tidal (2 Occurrences)... (a.) Of or pertaining to tides; caused by tides; having tides; periodically rising
and falling, or following and ebbing; as,
tidal waters. Int.
...TIDAL.
...Amraphel (2 Occurrences)
... king of Shinar (Babylonia), who fought against the cities of the plain, in alliance
with Arioch king of Ellasar, Chedorlaomer king of Elam, andTidal king of...
Chedorlaomer (5 Occurrences)
... enumerates among the enemies of Khammu-rabi, Kudur-Lagamar ("the servant of the
goddess Lagamar") or Chedorlaomer, Eri-Aku or Arioch, and Tudkhula orTidal....
Goiim (3 Occurrences)
... In Genesis 14:1 where the King James Version has "Tidal, king of nations," the Revised
Version (British and American) retains in the text the Hebrew "Goiim" as...
Eriaku
... for Kudurlachbgomar, ie Chedorlaomer), and Tud-chul, 1 (NOTE: 1 Written Tudchula,
but the syllabaries indicate the final a as silent.) the BiblicalTidal....
Eri-aku
... for Kudurlachbgomar, ie Chedorlaomer), and Tud-chul, 1 (NOTE: 1 Written Tudchula,
but the syllabaries indicate the final a as silent.) the BiblicalTidal....
Hammurabi
... Palestine: Unfortunately none of the documents referring to his reign makes mention
of his attack, in company with the armies of Chedorlaomer,Tidal and Arioch...
Goyim (7 Occurrences)
... Genesis 14:1 And it cometh to pass in the days of Amraphel king of Shinar, Arioch
king of Ellasar, Chedorlaomer king of Elam, andTidal king of Goyim, (YLT)....
Goi'im (3 Occurrences)
... Genesis 14:1 And it came to pass in the days of Amraphel king of Shinar, Arioch
king of Ellasar, Chedorlaomer king of Elam, andTidal king of Goiim, (See RSV)....
Ella'sar (2 Occurrences)
... Genesis 14:1 And it came to pass in the days of Amraphel king of Shinar, Arioch
king of Ellasar, Chedorlaomer king of Elam, andTidal king of Goiim, (See RSV)....
Resources
Is there any evidence for the Bible's view of a young earth? | GotQuestions.orgTidal: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
Bible Dictionary •
Bible Encyclopedia •
Topical Bible •
Bible Thesuarus
