Topical Encyclopedia
Etymology and Meaning:The name "Succoth" is derived from the Hebrew word "סֻכּוֹת" (Sukkot), meaning "booths" or "temporary shelters." This term is often associated with the Feast of Tabernacles, a time when the Israelites dwelt in temporary shelters to commemorate their wilderness journey.
Biblical References and Historical Significance:Succoth is mentioned in several contexts within the Bible, serving as both a geographical location and a symbol of God's provision and protection.
1.
Succoth in the Journey of Jacob: Succoth first appears in the narrative of Jacob. After reconciling with his brother Esau, Jacob travels to Succoth, where he builds a house for himself and makes shelters for his livestock. This event is recorded in
Genesis 33:17: "But Jacob journeyed to Succoth, where he built a house for himself and shelters for his livestock. That is why the place was called Succoth."
2.
Succoth in the Exodus: Succoth is also significant in the account of the Exodus. It is the first encampment of the Israelites after their departure from Rameses in Egypt.
Exodus 12:37 states, "The Israelites journeyed from Rameses to Succoth with about six hundred thousand men on foot, besides women and children." This marks the beginning of their journey to the Promised Land, highlighting God's deliverance and guidance.
3.
Succoth in the Conquest of Canaan: During the conquest of Canaan, Succoth is mentioned in the context of Gideon's pursuit of the Midianite kings.
Judges 8:5-6 records Gideon's request for bread from the men of Succoth, who refused to assist him: "So he said to the men of Succoth, 'Please give some loaves of bread to the troops who are following me, for they are exhausted.' But the leaders of Succoth asked, 'Are the hands of Zebah and Zalmunna already in your possession, that we should give bread to your army?'"
4.
Geographical Location: Succoth is believed to be located east of the Jordan River, in the territory allotted to the tribe of Gad. It is situated near the Jabbok River, which aligns with the biblical narrative of Jacob's journey and the subsequent events during the time of the Judges.
5.
Symbolic and Theological Themes: Succoth serves as a symbol of God's provision and faithfulness. In Jacob's account, it represents a place of rest and security after a period of struggle and reconciliation. In the Exodus narrative, it marks the beginning of a journey under divine guidance. The refusal of the men of Succoth to aid Gideon highlights themes of faith and obedience, contrasting human reluctance with God's unwavering support for His chosen leaders.
Cultural and Religious Significance:The name "Succoth" is also associated with the Jewish festival of Sukkot, or the Feast of Tabernacles, which commemorates the Israelites' wilderness wanderings and God's provision during that time. This festival involves the construction of temporary shelters, echoing the historical and spiritual themes connected to the biblical Succoth.
Archaeological Insights:While the exact location of Succoth remains uncertain, archaeological efforts have sought to identify sites that correspond to its biblical description. These endeavors aim to enhance understanding of the historical context and validate the biblical narrative through tangible evidence.
Succoth, as depicted in the Bible, serves as a multifaceted symbol of God's provision, human response to divine guidance, and the enduring legacy of faith throughout Israel's history.
Hitchcock's Bible Names Dictionary
Succothtents; tabernacles
Smith's Bible Dictionary
Succoth(booths).
- An ancient town, first heard of in the account of the homeward journey of Jacob from Padan-aram. (Genesis 35:17) The name is derived from the fact of Jacob's having there put up "booths" (succoth) for his cattle as well as a house for himself. From the itinerary of Jacob's return it seems that Succoth lay between Peniel, near the ford of the torrent Jabbok and Shechem. Comp. (Genesis 32:30) and Genesis33:18 In accordance with this is the mention of Succoth in the narrative of Gideon's pursuit of Zebah and Zalluunna. (Judges 5:5-17) It would appear from this passage that it lay east of the Jordan, which is corroborated by the fact that it was allotted to the tribe of Gad. (Joshua 13:27) Succoth is named once again after this --in (1 Kings 7:46;2 Chronicles 4:17) --as marking the spot at which the brass founderies were placed for casting the metal work of the temple. (Dr. Merrill identifies it with a site calledTell Darala , one mile north of the Jabbok. --ED.)
- The first camping-place of the Israelites when they left Egypt. (Exodus 12:37;13:20;Numbers 33:5,6) This place was apparently reached at the close of the first days march. Rameses, the starting-place, was probably near the western end of theWadi-t-Tumeylat . The distance traversed in each day's journey was about fifteen miles.
ATS Bible Dictionary
SuccothBooths,
1. A spot in the valley of the Jordan and near the Jabbok, where Jacob set up his tents on his return from Mesopotamia,Genesis 33:17. Joshua assigned the city subsequently built here to the tribe of Gad,Joshua 13:27. Gideon tore the flesh of the principal men of Succoth with thorn and briars, because they returned him a haughty answer when pursuing the Midianites, Jud 8:5. It seems to have lain on the east side of the Jordan; but may possibly have been on the west side, at the place now called Sakut. Compare1 Kings 7:46;Psalm 60:6.
2. The first encampment of the Israelites, on their way out of Egypt,Exodus 12:37.
Easton's Bible Dictionary
Booths.
(1.) The first encampment of the Israelites after leaving Ramesses (Exodus 12:37); the civil name of Pithom (q.v.).
(2.) A city on the east of Jordan, identified with Tell Dar'ala, a high mound, a mass of debris, in the plain north of Jabbok and about one mile from it (Joshua 13:27). Here Jacob (Genesis 32:17, 30;33:17), on his return from Padan-aram after his interview with Esau, built a house for himself and made booths for his cattle. The princes of this city churlishly refused to afford help to Gideon and his 300 men when "faint yet pursuing" they followed one of the bands of the fugitive Midianites after the great victory at Gilboa. After overtaking and routing this band at Karkor, Gideon on his return visited the rulers of the city with severe punishment. "He took the elders of the city, and thorns of the wilderness and briers, and with them he taught the men of Succoth" (Judges 8:13-16). At this place were erected the foundries for casting the metal-work for the temple (1 Kings 7:46).
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
SUCCOTH (1)suk'-oth, suk'-oth (cukkoth, "booths"; Skenai, Sokchoth, etc.): After parting with Esau, Jacob journeyed to Succoth, a name which he gave to the place from the "booths" which he erected to shelter his cattle (Genesis 33:17). It was in the territory of Gad, and is mentioned with Beth-nimrah (Joshua 13:27). In his pursuit of Zeba and Zalmunnah, Gideon seems to have retraced the path followed by Jacob, passing Succoth before Penuel (Judges 8:5). Their churlishness on that occasion brought dire punishment upon the men of Succoth. Gideon on his return "taught them" with thorns and briers (Judges 8:16). In the soil of the valley between Succoth and Zarethan, which was suitable for the purpose, the brass castings of the furniture for Solomon's Temple were made (1 Kings 7:462 Chronicles 4:17). Jerome (onGenesis 33:17) says that in his day it was a city beyond Jordan in the district of Scythopolis. From the above data it is clear that Succoth lay on the East of the Jordan and North of the Jabbok. FromPsalm 60:6;Psalm 108:7, we may infer that it was close to the Jordan valley, part of which was apparently known by its name. Neubauer (Geog. du Talmud, 248) gives the Talmudic name as Tar`ala. Merrill (East of the Jordan, 386) and others compare this with Tell Deir `Alla, the name of an artificial mound about a mile North of the Jabbok, on the edge of the valley, fully 4 miles East of the Jordan. There is a place called Sakut West of the Jordan, about 10 miles South of Beisan. This has been proposed by some; but it is evident that Succoth lay East of the river. No trace of the name has been found here.
W. Ewing
SUCCOTH (2)
(cukkoth; Sokchoth (Exodus 12:37;Exodus 13:20Numbers 33:5)): The first station of the Hebrews on leaving Rameses (see EXODUS). The word means "booths." The distance from ETHAM (which see) suggests that the site may have lain in the lower part of Wady Tumeilat, but the exact position is unknown. This region seems possibly to have been called T-K-u by the Egyptians (see PITHOM). Brugsch and other scholars suppose this term to have been changed to Succoth by the Old Testament writer, but this is very doubtful, Succoth being a common Hebrew word, while T-K-u is Egyptian The Hebrew "c" does not appear ever to be rendered by "t" in Egyptian. The capital of the Sethroitic nome was called T-K-t (Pierret, Vocab. hieroglyph., 697), and this word means "bread." If the region of T-K-u was near this town, it would seem to have lain on the shore road from Edom to Zoan, in which case it could not be the Succoth of the Exodus.
C. R. Conder
Strong's Hebrew
5523. Sukkoth -- a city East of the Jordan, also a place in Egypt... a city East of the Jordan, also a place in Egypt. Transliteration: Sukkoth or Sukkoth
Phonetic Spelling: (sook-kohth') Short Definition:
Succoth.
...Succoth.
...5524. Sukkoth Benoth -- "booths of daughters," an Assyr.-Bab. god
... god. Transliteration: Sukkoth Benoth Phonetic Spelling: (sook-kohth' ben-ohth')
Short Definition:Succoth-benoth.... god NASB Word UsageSuccoth-benoth (1)....
Library
Gideon's Brave Band
... And he said to the men ofSuccoth, "Give, I beg of you, loaves of bread to the people
who follow me, for they are faint and I am pursuing after Zebah and...
Chapter xxxiii
... 17. Jacob started out forSuccoth and built himself a house, and for the cattle
he made booths (succoth); therefore the name of the place was calledSuccoth....
The Escape from Egypt
... The Israelites went on foot from Rameses toSuccoth; and a mixed multitude
went with them, and they had a great many flocks and herds....
Exodus.
... was. (Rameses. II, the Pharaoh of the oppression and Merenpth II, the Pharaoh
of the Exodus.) and has discoveredSuccoth. It has...
The Exodus
... "They journeyed," it is said, "from Rameses toSuccoth." Rameses was where
they were employed in building a city for the king. They...
David the Shepherd Youth.
... Stopping at the village ofSuccoth, they chose a secure place, and put up their
black tents among the thick bushes, camping about ten miles from the round hill...
Mongrel Religion
... "Ah," said the Babylonian, "I listen respectfully to what you have to say of this
God, of the land; butSuccoth-benoth for me; when I go home I shall offer...
Divided Worship
... 'The men of Babylon madeSuccoth-benoth' (probably a deity, though the name may... If
the Lord be God, follow Him' If Baal orSuccoth-benoth, then follow him....
Was Moses "A Literary Fiction"?
... And the children of Israel journeyed from Rameses toSuccoth, about six hundred
thousand on foot that were men, besides children" Exodus 12:21, 35, 37....
Jesus Healeth a Lunatic
... outskirts of a village in Northern Palestine, with its sordid, untidy, mud-built
houses, on the roofs of which are seen the reed booths orSuccoth, occupied by...
Thesaurus
Succoth (18 Occurrences)... "He took the elders of the city, and thorns of the wilderness and briers, and with
them he taught the men of
Succoth" (Judges 8:13-16).
...SUCCOTH (1).
...Succoth-benoth (1 Occurrence)
Succoth-benoth. Succothbenoth,Succoth-benoth. Suc'coth-be'noth . Easton's
Bible Dictionary... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia.SUCCOTH-BENOTH....
Succothbenoth (1 Occurrence)
... the colonists in Samaria (2 Kings 17:30). Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia.
SUCCOTH-BENOTH. suk'-oth, suk'-oth-be'-noth, be'-noth...
Pithom (1 Occurrence)
... without straw.Succoth (Exodus 12:37) is supposed by some to be the secular
name of this city, Pithom being its sacred name. This...
Zalmunna (9 Occurrences)
... 8:18 f), and, stirred by this, Gideon went in hot pursuit with 300 men (Judges
8:4). He requested provisions for his men from the people ofSuccoth and Penuel...
Zebah (9 Occurrences)
... 8:18 f), and, stirred by this, Gideon went in hot pursuit with 300 men (Judges
8:4). He requested provisions for his men from the people ofSuccoth and Penuel...
Exodus (2 Occurrences)
... place. From Rameses they journeyed toSuccoth (Exodus 12:37), identified
with Tel-el-Maskhuta, about 12 miles west of Ismailia....
Zalmun'na (8 Occurrences)
... Judges 8:5 So he said to the men ofSuccoth, "Pray, give loaves of bread to the
people who follow me; for they are faint, and I am pursuing after Zebah and...
Zarethan (4 Occurrences)
... is said to be at "the ford of Adamah," according to the reading of some, but according
to the Massoretic text, "in the clay around betweenSuccoth and Zarethan...
Etham (4 Occurrences)
... cross (see EXODUS). This camp was probably near the North end of the Bitter
Lakes, a march fromSuccoth. Brugsch (Hist. Egypt, II...
Resources
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