Tidal

Tidal is named twice, both times within the same chapter, as one of the four eastern kings whose campaign against the cities of the plain triggers Abram's rescue of Lot. He is identified each time by the same title — king of Goiim — and never appears outside of Genesis 14.

In the coalition of four kings

Tidal is introduced in the opening verse of the chapter, alongside the other three eastern rulers: "And it came to pass in the days of Amraphel king of Shinar, Arioch king of Ellasar, Chedorlaomer king of Elam, and Tidal king of Goiim" (Gen 14:1).

The narrative names him a second time when describing the engagement at the Vale of Siddim. The list is repeated, with Chedorlaomer placed first as the leader of the coalition: "against Chedorlaomer king of Elam, and Tidal king of Goiim, and Amraphel king of Shinar, and Arioch king of Ellasar; four kings against the five" (Gen 14:9).

What the umbrella holds

The two verses are the entire scriptural footprint. He has a name, a single title — "king of Goiim" — and a place in the four-king coalition that fights and defeats the five kings of the plain before being routed by Abram's pursuit. No genealogy, no kingdom geography, no further role in the campaign is recorded.