Lexical Summary Tidal: Tidal Original Word: תִּדְעָל Strong's Exhaustive Concordance Tadmor Perhaps from dchal; fearfulness; Tidal, a Canaanite -- Tidal. see HEBREW dchal NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originof uncertain derivation Definition perhaps a Canaanite king NASB Translation Tidal (2). Brown-Driver-Briggs תִּדְעָל proper name, masculine king allied with Chedorlaomer called מֶלֶךְ גּוֺיִם Genesis 14:1,9; Θαλγα[λ], ᵐ5L Θαργαλ (proper name Tud—ula occurs on late Babylonian tablet, PinchesTrans. Vict. Inst., xxix (1897), 47, 73, SayAcad. Mar. 21, 1896, 242; Hast. DB TIDAL; but identification of person unproven, LW KingHammurabi i (1898), liii HptBall Genesis 14:1 CheEncy. Bib. TIDAL). תהה (√ of following; meaning dubious: Aramaic תְּהָא is rage, roar (of earth, with reference to Genesis 1:2), of man, bluster; al. compare Arabic Topical Lexicon Entry Overview Tidal is introduced in Genesis 14 as one of the four eastern monarchs who invaded the Jordan Valley during the days of Abram. Though his name appears only twice in the Old Testament, the episode in which he participates supplies valuable insight into the early post-Flood world, the geopolitical atmosphere surrounding the patriarchs, and the sovereignty of God over nations. Scriptural Occurrences Genesis 14:1 – “In those days, Amraphel king of Shinar, Arioch king of Ellasar, Chedorlaomer king of Elam, and Tidal king of Goiim…” Genesis 14:9 further records Tidal’s defeat when Abram’s militia, supported by the Lord, routs the coalition. Historical Context 1. Coalition Warfare: Tidal joins three other eastern rulers in suppressing a rebellion by five Canaanite city-states. This engagement, often called “the War of the Four Kings against the Five,” is the earliest extant record of an international military alliance and demonstrates the complex diplomacy of the Middle Bronze Age. Identity and Geopolitical Setting Goiim literally means “nations” and may point to a dominion made up of several ethnic groups or vassal territories, rather than a single homogeneous kingdom. Extra-biblical parallels have been proposed: Theological and Redemptive Significance 1. Divine Providence over Kings: Tidal’s campaign, though motivated by tribute and power, is woven into God’s larger plan to magnify His promise to Abram. The king’s defeat demonstrates that human might cannot frustrate covenant purposes. Lessons for Ministry and Faith • Courage in Spiritual Conflict: As Abram armed 318 trained men, believers are called to spiritual preparedness, trusting not in numbers but in the Lord of hosts (Ephesians 6:10-18). Related Themes and Cross References • God thwarts the proud (Psalm 2:1-6; Daniel 4:35). Bibliography for Further Study Anderson, A. A. “The Kings of Genesis 14 and Near Eastern Chronology.” Journal of Biblical Literature. Kitchen, K. A. On the Reliability of the Old Testament. Walton, J. H. The IVP Bible Background Commentary: Old Testament. Forms and Transliterations וְתִדְעָ֖ל וְתִדְעָל֙ ותדעל vetidAl wə·ṯiḏ·‘āl wəṯiḏ‘ālLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Genesis 14:1 HEB: מֶ֣לֶךְ עֵילָ֔ם וְתִדְעָ֖ל מֶ֥לֶךְ גּוֹיִֽם׃ NAS: king of Elam, and Tidal king of Goiim, KJV: of Elam, and Tidal king INT: king of Elam and Tidal king of nations Genesis 14:9 2 Occurrences |
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go astray, 
desert waste, but this very doubtful).