תִּדְעָל (tid.al)
tid.al
Tidal
N:N-M-PQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 2 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- N:N-M-P
Word Overview
Tidal is a proper name appearing only twice in the Hebrew Bible, both within the narrative of Genesis 14. The sources identify him as a king or chief who allied himself with Chedorlaomer to wage war against the cities of the plain. His name is interpreted as meaning "great son," a title that likely reflects his status among the nomadic tribes he led.
Although the text provides little biographical detail, Tidal’s inclusion in this early historical account highlights the complex political landscape of the ancient Near East. He represents one of several regional powers involved in the conflict described in Genesis 14:1-2 and referenced again in Psalm 83:8. The brevity of his mention underscores his role as a participant in a larger divine drama rather than a central character.
Translators consistently render this name as Tidal, preserving its phonetic identity across languages. The limited occurrence of the word means it serves primarily as a marker of historical context, anchoring the story of Abraham’s rescue of Lot within a specific geopolitical reality. Its presence reminds readers that biblical history unfolds amid real-world alliances and rivalries.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
Names like Tidal in Genesis 14 might seem like minor footnotes, yet they ground the biblical story in real history. This name identifies a king of Goiim who joined other rulers in a conflict that threatened the cities of the plain. By mentioning him, the text shows that Abraham’s faith was tested not in isolation, but amidst complex political alliances and ancient rivalries.
These historical details remind us that God works through real people and events. The presence of Tidal highlights the scale of the challenge Abraham faced, making his trust in God even more significant. It invites us to see our own lives as part of a larger narrative where divine purpose intersects with human history.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 2 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- and/ Tidal2×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- וְ/תִדְעָל֙1×
- וְ/תִדְעָ֖ל1×
Key Verses
-
Genesis 14:1
In the days of Amraphel, king of Shinar; Arioch, king of Ellasar; Chedorlaomer, king of Elam; and Tidal, king of Goiim,
This verse introduces Tidal as king of Goiim, establishing his authority and alliance with Chedorlaomer at the start of the conflict.
-
Genesis 14:9
against Chedorlaomer king of Elam, Tidal king of Goiim, Amraphel king of Shinar, and Arioch king of Ellasar; four kings against the five.
Here Tidal is listed among the four kings opposing five, emphasizing the overwhelming odds against the residents of the plain.