Tidal תִּדְעָל
King of Goiim, ally of Chedorlaomer
Who is Tidal in the Bible?
Tidal was a king of Goiim (a region or people whose exact location remains uncertain) mentioned in Genesis 14:1 and 14:9 as one of four allied kings who fought against the five kings of the plain, including the rulers of Sodom and Gomorrah. He served as an ally of Chedorlaomer, king of Elam, along with Amraphel of Shinar and Arioch of Ellasar in a military campaign through Canaan. In the biblical account, Tidal and his confederates initially defeated the five kings and captured prisoners, including Abraham's nephew Lot, but Abraham subsequently pursued and defeated them, rescuing the captives (Genesis 14:14-16). Beyond his role in this single military campaign, Scripture provides no other information about Tidal's background, kingdom, or subsequent history. His significance lies primarily in his connection to the military conflict that prompted Abraham's armed rescue of Lot, establishing Abraham as a military protector within the Genesis narrative.
Biography
Tidal, described as king of Goiim, is mentioned in Gen.14.1 and Gen.14.9 as one of the four kings who joined forces with Chedorlaomer, king of Elam, in a battle against the five kings of the cities of the plain, including Sodom and Gomorrah. The name "Tidal" is of uncertain origin, and "Goiim" may refer to a region or a group of people. In the biblical account, Tidal and his allies engaged in a military campaign in Canaan, ultimately defeating the five kings and taking captives, including Abraham's nephew Lot. In response, Abraham and his 318 trained men pursued the victorious kings, defeated them, and rescued Lot and the other captives (Gen.14.14-16). No other details are provided about Tidal's background, the extent of his kingdom, or his fate after the battle. His participation in the alliance with Chedorlaomer suggests a significant political and military role in the ancient Near East, but the exact historical and geographical context remains uncertain.
In Scripture
1 biblical book ; 1 with study contentGenesis 2 verses
- Genesis 14:1
"In those days Amraphel king of Shinar, Arioch king of Ellasar, Chedorlaomer king of Elam, and Tidal king of Goiim"
Study Genesis → - Genesis 14:9
"against Chedorlaomer king of Elam, Tidal king of Goiim, Amraphel king of Shinar, and Arioch king of Ellasar—four kings against five."
Study Genesis →
Names & Aliases
| Form | Language | Script |
|---|---|---|
| Named | Hebrew | תִּדְעָל |
Encyclopedia Article
ISBE 1915 (Public Domain) Tidal
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.
2Its 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," in Ge 14:1, presupposes a ruler of another race.
3The Babylonian Tudhula and His Time
The inscription in which the name Tudhula occurs is one of three of late date (4th to 3rd century BC), 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.
4Doubts 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 in Ge 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.
5Probably a Hittite
If he be, as is possible, the same personage as is mentioned in Ge 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. See AMRAPHEL; ARIOCH; CHEDORLAOMER; ERI-AKU; NATIONS.
see GLAD TIDINGS.
tighlath pil'eser, as the name is read in 2 Kings, tilleghath pilnecer, in 2 C