חִדֶּ֫קֶל (chid.de.qel)
chid.de.qel
Tigris
N:N--LQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 2 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- N:N--L
Word Overview
The Hebrew word chiddeqel refers to the Tigris River, one of the major waterways described in the biblical narrative. Its name literally means "rapid," a fitting description for the swift current that characterizes this river as it flows toward Assyria. In Genesis 2:14, it is listed alongside the Pishon, Gihon, and Euphrates as one of the four rivers flowing from the Garden of Eden.
Although the term appears only twice in Scripture—both in Genesis and again in Daniel—the identification is clear. The ancient Greek translation of the Old Testament, known as the Septuagint, renders chiddeqel as Tigris, confirming its identity with the well-known river that has long served as a geographical landmark in the Middle East. This consistency helps readers connect the biblical text with historical geography.
The mention of this river serves to ground the biblical story in a real, tangible location. By naming specific rivers like chiddeqel, the text anchors its accounts in the physical world, reminding readers that the events described are not abstract myths but occurrences within a defined landscape. The rapid flow of the Tigris itself may symbolize the dynamic and powerful nature of the regions through which it passes.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The name chiddeqel means "rapid," capturing the swift and powerful current of the Tigris River. In Genesis, this waterway flows from Eden toward Assyria, anchoring the biblical narrative in a real, physical landscape. By naming specific rivers, Scripture reminds us that God’s story unfolds in tangible history, not abstract myth.
Later, Daniel sees a vision by this same river, linking ancient creation with prophetic revelation. The Tigris serves as a bridge between Eden’s peace and the complexities of empire. Its steady flow mirrors God’s enduring presence through changing times.
This word invites us to see faith grounded in reality. Just as the river carves its path through stone, God’s promises shape our lives with purpose and direction.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 2 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- [is] [the] Tigris1×
- [is] Tigris1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- חִדָּֽקֶל\׃1×
- חִדֶּ֔קֶל1×
Key Verses
-
Genesis 2:14
The name of the third river is Hiddekel. This is the one which flows in front of Assyria. The fourth river is the Euphrates.
This verse identifies chiddeqel as one of the four rivers flowing from Eden, grounding the creation account in real geography.
-
Daniel 10:4
In the twenty-fourth day of the first month, as I was by the side of the great river, which is Hiddekel,
Here Daniel encounters a vision by the Hiddekel, showing how this river connects prophetic revelation with historical location.