Hiddekel
“The rapid one, or swift arrow”
Summary
Hiddekel is the ancient Hebrew name for the Tigris River, one of the four rivers of Eden and the site of Daniel's great vision.
☩Identification
Hiddekel is universally identified with the Tigris River, called Dijleh by the Arabs and Digla in Aramaic. The name combines a prefix 'Hid' (meaning rapidity or vehemence) with 'Dekel,' which is related to the Aryan root meaning 'swift' or 'arrow.' The Tigris was thus known as 'the rapid Tigris.' It is described in Genesis as the river that 'goeth eastward to Assyria' and in Daniel as 'the great river.'
☩Geography
The Tigris rises in the mountains of Armenia about fifteen miles south of the sources of the Euphrates and pursues a generally southeastern course until joining the Euphrates at Korna, fifty miles above Basra. It is navigable for small boats for considerable distances. The river rises twice yearly: the great rise in April from melting Armenian snows, and a smaller rise in November from seasonal rains. The middle portion of the river's course, once the seat of mighty Assyrian and Babylonian civilizations, contains the ruins of ancient fortresses, mounds, and irrigation dams.
References
- 1.John McClintock and James Strong, "Hiddekel," in Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature, vol. IV (Harper & Brothers, 1867–1887).
- 2.F. N. Peloubet & M. A. Peloubet (ed.), "Hiddekel," in Smith's Bible Dictionary (Porter & Coates, 1884).
- 3.Andrew Robert Fausset, "Hiddekel," in The Englishman's Critical and Expository Bible Cyclopædia (Hodder & Stoughton, 1878).