Topical Encyclopedia
Overview:Soco, also spelled Socoh or Socho, is a town mentioned in the Bible, located in the territory of Judah. It holds historical and biblical significance, particularly in the context of the battles between the Israelites and the Philistines. Soco is noted for its strategic location and its role in biblical narratives.
Biblical References:Soco is mentioned in several passages in the Old Testament. One of the most notable references is found in
1 Samuel 17:1, where it is described as the location where the Philistines gathered their forces for battle against Israel. The verse states: "Now the Philistines gathered their forces for war and assembled at Socoh in Judah. They pitched camp at Ephes-dammim, between Socoh and Azekah" . This sets the stage for the famous battle between David and Goliath.
Another reference to Soco is found in
2 Chronicles 11:7, where it is listed among the cities that Rehoboam fortified: "Beth-zur, Soco, and Adullam" . This indicates its importance as a defensive site during the reign of Rehoboam, the son of Solomon.
Geographical Significance:Soco was strategically located in the Shephelah, the lowland region of Judah, which served as a buffer zone between the coastal plains occupied by the Philistines and the hill country of Judah. Its position made it a key site for military engagements and fortifications. The town's proximity to other significant locations, such as Azekah and Ephes-dammim, underscores its role in the defense and administration of the region.
Historical Context:The historical context of Soco is closely tied to the ongoing conflict between the Israelites and the Philistines. The Philistines were a formidable enemy of Israel, and their presence in the Shephelah posed a constant threat to the security of the Israelite tribes. Soco's mention in the context of these battles highlights its importance as a military stronghold and a point of contention between the two peoples.
Archaeological Insights:Archaeological excavations in the region have provided insights into the historical and cultural context of Soco. The site identified as Khirbet Shuweikeh is believed to be the biblical Soco. Excavations have revealed fortifications, pottery, and other artifacts that date back to the Iron Age, aligning with the biblical timeline of the town's significance.
Theological Implications:From a theological perspective, Soco serves as a backdrop for the demonstration of God's power and providence in the narrative of David and Goliath. The location underscores the theme of divine intervention and the triumph of faith over seemingly insurmountable odds. The fortification of Soco by Rehoboam also reflects the biblical theme of reliance on God's guidance for protection and security.
Conclusion:Soco's role in the biblical narrative, its strategic location, and its historical significance make it a noteworthy site in the study of biblical geography and history. Its mention in the context of key events in Israel's history highlights its importance as a military and administrative center in the ancient Near East.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
SOCOH; SOCOso'-ko (sokkhoh, "branches"), (sokho (in Chronicles only); Socho, most usual, but many forms in Septuagint and in the King James Version: Socoh, Shochoh, Shoco, Shocho):
(1) A city in the Shephelah of Judah mentioned along with Jarmuth, Adullam, Azekah, etc. (Joshua 15:35); the Philistines "gathered together at Socoh, which belongeth to Judah, and encamped between Socoh and Azekah" (1 Samuel 17:1); it is mentioned as one of the districts from which Solomon drew his supplies (1 Kings 4:10, the King James Version "Sochoh"); the association of Socoh in this verse with Hepher is worth noticing in connection with1 Chronicles 4:18 ("Heber"). Soco (the King James Version "Shoco") was one of the cities fortified by Rehoboam for the defense of Judah (2 Chronicles 11:7); it was captured by the Philistines in the time of Ahaz (2 Chronicles 28:18). The site is, without doubt, Khirbet esh Shuweikeh (Shuweikeh is a diminutive of Shaukeh, "a thorn"), a rounded, elongated hilltop, showing clear traces of ancient city walls. The situation is one of considerable natural strength on the south side of the Vale of Elah just where the Wady ec Cur makes a sweep to the West and becomes the Wady es Sunt. Like so many such ancient sites, the hill has very steep slopes on 3 sides (South, West, and North), and is isolated from the ridge of higher ground to the East by a narrow neck of lower ground. In the valley to the Southwest is a plentiful spring. The site was known to Jerome in the 4th century. He described it as 8 or 9 Roman miles from Eleutheropolis (Beit Jibrin) (PEF, III, 53, 125, Sh XVII, BR, II, 21). The Sucathites (1 Chronicles 2:55) were probably inhabitants of Soco.
(2) A city of Judah in the South, associated (Joshua 15:48) with Shamir and Jattir. This is doubtless Khirbet Shuweikeh, a large ruin occupying a low hill, 10 miles Southwest of Hebron; there are many caves and rock-cut cisterns as well as drafted stones. Cheyne doubtfully locates the Socoh of1 Kings 4:10 here. SeePEF, 404, 410, Sh XXV; B R, I, 494.
E. W. G. Masterman
Strong's Hebrew
7755. Sokoh -- two places in Judah... Word Origin from the same as sok Definition two places in Judah NASB Word Usage
Soco (3), Socoh (5). Shocho, Shochoh, Sochoh,
Soco, Socoh.
...Library
Divers Matters.
... V. Socoh, Joshua 15:35. Thence was Antigonus, some time president of the Sanhedrim.
"Antigonus ofSoco received the Cabala of Simeon the Just.". VI....
The Order of Thought which Surrounded the Development of Jesus.
... the grave?[4] Worldly and incredulous Sadduceeism might possibly not recoil before
such a consequence, and a consummate sage, like Antigonus ofSoco,[5] might...
Opposition to Jesus.
... before or during the time of Jesus, such as Jesus, son of Sirach (one of the true
ancestors of Jesus of Nazareth), Gamaliel, Antigonus ofSoco, and especially...
The First Sayings of Jesus --His Ideas of a Divine Father and of a...
... Others were the thoughts of more modern sages, especially those of Antigonus of
Soco, Jesus, son of Sirach, and Hillel, which had reached him, not from learned...
Tiglath-Pileser iii. And the Organisation of the Assyrian Empire...
... 2 Chronicles 11:6-10, where we find a list of the towns fortified by Rehoboam:
Bethlehem, Etam, Beth-zur,Soco, Adullam, Gath, Mareshah, Ziph, Adoraim...
Thesaurus
Soco (3 Occurrences)... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia SOCOH;
SOCO. so'-ko
... 21). The Sucathites
(1 Chronicles 2:55) were probably inhabitants of
Soco. (2
...Socoh (4 Occurrences)
... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia SOCOH;SOCO. so'-ko... 21). The Sucathites
(1 Chronicles 2:55) were probably inhabitants ofSoco. (2...
Socho (1 Occurrence)
... A fence; hedge, (1 Chronicles 4:18; RV,Soco)=So'choh (1 Kings 4:10; RV, Socoh),
Sho'choh (1 Samuel 17:1; RV, Socoh), Sho'co (2 Chronicles 11:7; RV,Soco), Sho...
Mered (2 Occurrences)
... confounded, and the only solid fact that emerges is that once a comparatively obscure
Judahite (though the founder of several towns-Gedor,Soco, Eshtemoa, etc...
Heber (13 Occurrences)
... (3) Head of a clan of Judah, and son of Mered by his Jewish, as distinguished from
an Egyptian wife. He was father, or founder, ofSoco (1 Chronicles 4:18)....
Sockets (44 Occurrences)
Zanoah (5 Occurrences)
... 1 Chronicles 4:18 His wife the Jewess bore Jered the father of Gedor, and Heber
the father ofSoco, and Jekuthiel the father of Zanoah....
Zur (9 Occurrences)
... NAS RSV NIV). 2 Chronicles 11:7 Beth Zur, andSoco, and Adullam, (WEB KJV
JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV). Nehemiah 3:16 After...
Jewess (3 Occurrences)
... 1 Chronicles 4:18 His wife the Jewess bore Jered the father of Gedor, and Heber
the father ofSoco, and Jekuthiel the father of Zanoah....
Jered (2 Occurrences)
... 1 Chronicles 4:18 His wife the Jewess bore Jered the father of Gedor, and Heber
the father ofSoco, and Jekuthiel the father of Zanoah....
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