Tidal
Summary
Tidal was the 'king of nations' (or Goiim) who joined Chedorlaomer's coalition in the invasion of the Jordan plain during Abraham's time.
☩The Coalition of Kings
Tidal is named last among the four kings who allied with Chedorlaomer of Elam in the military campaign against the rebellious kings of the Jordan plain cities. His designation as 'king of nations' (Hebrew goyim) suggests he was chief over various nomadic tribes to whom no specific territory could be assigned. Like the Arabs of Mesopotamia today, these tribes likely inhabited different portions of the region at different seasons.
☩Possible Identifications
Various attempts have been made to identify Tidal with figures known from ancient inscriptions. Some scholars connect the name with Tudhula found in late Babylonian texts, while others note the similarity to Dudhalia, a Hittite royal name borne by a contemporary of Rameses II. If the latter identification is correct, Tidal may have been an earlier ruler of the Hittite confederation, which would explain the designation 'nations.' The question remains unresolved, but the name and title suggest a powerful chieftain over a diverse tribal alliance.
References
- 1.John McClintock and James Strong, "Tidal," in Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature, vol. X (Harper & Brothers, 1867–1887).
- 2.James Orr (ed.), "Tidal," in International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, vol. V (Howard-Severance Company, 1915).