Lexical Summary Sukkoth: Sukkoth Original Word: סֻכּוֹת Strong's Exhaustive Concordance Succoth Or Cukkoth {sook-kohth'}; plural of cukkah; booths; Succoth, the name of a place in Egypt and of three in Palestine -- Succoth. see HEBREW cukkah NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom sakak Definition a city E. of the Jordan, also a place in Eg. NASB Translation Succoth (18). Brown-Driver-Briggs סֻכּוֺת18 proper name, of a location; — 1. סֻכֹּ֫תָה (ה locative) Genesis 33:17 (twice in verse) (J; explanation from Jacob's making booths), elsewhere סֻכּוֺת; — city east of Jordan Judges 8:5 6t. Judges 8; Joshua 13:27 (P); probably also 1 Kings 7:46 2Chronicles 4:17 (reading מַעְכֶּרֶת אֲדָמָה ford of Adamah GFMJudges 7:22 compare BuhlGeogr. 206 Benz1Kings 7:46); ׳עֵמֶק ס Psalm 60:8 = Psalm 108:8 is Jordan-valley near succôth; on identify. compare GFMJudges 8:5 BuhlGeogr. 260 GASmGeogr. 585, and references; according to Talmud Dêr `alla, 1 mile north of Jabbok NbrGeogr. du Talm. 248, so S. MerrillEast of Jordan 385 ff.; ᵐ5 Σοκχωθ (Σκηναί Genesis 33 compare Psalms). 2 סֻכֹּ֫תָה (ה locative) Exodus 12:37, elsewhere סֻכֹּת; — first station of Israel at Exodus, Exodus 12:37; Exodus 13:20; Numbers 33:5,6 (all P); = Egyptian Thku(t) WMMAs.u.Eur.70, Thkw SteindBAS i. 603; on site see NavillePithom (1885), especially pp. 6. 23 f. GutheZPV viii (1885), 219 f.; ᵐ5 Σοκχωθ. Topical Lexicon Etymology and Idea of Shelter While the lexical root points to “booths” or “temporary shelters,” the narrative emphasis is on God-provided protection and provision. The name thus becomes a recurring reminder that the Lord shields His people in the midst of travel, battle, or labor. Locations Bearing the Name 1. East-Jordan Succoth – opposite Shechem, near the confluence of the Jabbok and the Jordan. Modern surveys favor Tell Deir ʿAlla. Patriarchal Foundations (Genesis 33:17) After the tense reunion with Esau, “Jacob journeyed to Succoth and built a house for himself, and shelters for his livestock”. The account highlights: The Exodus Stage (Exodus 12:37; 13:20; Numbers 33:5–6) Succoth stands as the threshold between bondage and freedom. Israel leaves the brick-kilns of Egypt and camps in a place named for booths—temporary yet protected. The redemptive pattern becomes clear: redeemed people sojourn under God’s covering. Allotment in the Tribal Era (Joshua 13:27) Assigned to Gad, Succoth lies in the fertile Jordan valley “with its towns”. The placement fortifies the eastern frontier and supports pastoral life. Its presence in the Gadite list connects the patriarchal encampment with a settled inheritance. Gideon and the Test of Fellowship (Judges 8:5–16) Gideon, pursuing Midian, asks Succoth’s elders for bread. Their refusal reveals fear and spiritual apathy. Gideon later disciplines them “with thorns of the wilderness and briers” (Judges 8:16). The episode warns against withholding support from God’s work and shows that covenant solidarity carries practical obligations. Solomonic Industry (1 Kings 7:46; 2 Chronicles 4:17) The “clay ground between Succoth and Zarethan” served as the foundry for the bronze furnishings of the Temple. The plain’s loamy soil enabled large casting pits. Thus Succoth contributes materially to Israel’s central place of worship, linking its identity as a sheltering place with the Temple’s role as a divine dwelling among men. Divine Ownership Proclaimed (Psalm 60:6; Psalm 108:7) “God has spoken from His sanctuary: ‘In triumph I will parcel out Shechem and apportion the Valley of Succoth’”. In national crisis, David hears the Lord declare sovereignty over both west- and east-Jordan territories, reinforcing the promise first tasted by Jacob. Succoth symbolizes the certainty of God’s claim on the land despite surrounding turmoil. Prophetic and Christological Echoes • The root concept of “booths” anticipates the Feast of Tabernacles, when Israel dwells in sukkot to remember wilderness care (Leviticus 23:42-43). Practical Ministry Insights • Hospitality: Gideon’s experience cautions communities to aid those advancing the Lord’s cause. Archaeological Note Tell Deir ʿAlla’s stratigraphy displays Late Bronze and Iron Age occupation layers consistent with biblical chronology, including evidence of metallurgical activity, supporting the Solomonic casting narrative. Summary Succoth threads through Scripture as a place of shelter, testing, craftsmanship, and divine ownership. From Jacob’s booths to the pledge of God’s ultimate dwelling with humanity, the name draws believers to trust the Lord who faithfully covers, corrects, equips, and claims His people. Forms and Transliterations בְּסֻכֹּֽת׃ בסכת׃ וְסֻכּ֣וֹת וסכות מִסֻּכֹּ֑ת מסכת סֻכֹּ֑תָה סֻכֹּ֔תָה סֻכּ֔וֹת סֻכּ֖וֹת סֻכּ֣וֹת סֻכּֽוֹת׃ סֻכּוֹת֙ סכות סכות׃ סכתה bə·suk·kōṯ besukKot bəsukkōṯ mis·suk·kōṯ missukKot missukkōṯ suk·kō·ṯāh suk·kō·wṯ sukKot sukKotah sukkōṯāh sukkōwṯ vesukKot wə·suk·kō·wṯ wəsukkōwṯLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Genesis 33:17 HEB: וְיַעֲקֹב֙ נָסַ֣ע סֻכֹּ֔תָה וַיִּ֥בֶן ל֖וֹ NAS: journeyed to Succoth, and built KJV: journeyed to Succoth, and built INT: Jacob journeyed to Succoth and built A house Genesis 33:17 Exodus 12:37 Exodus 13:20 Numbers 33:5 Numbers 33:6 Joshua 13:27 Judges 8:5 Judges 8:6 Judges 8:8 Judges 8:14 Judges 8:14 Judges 8:15 Judges 8:16 1 Kings 7:46 2 Chronicles 4:17 Psalm 60:6 Psalm 108:7 18 Occurrences |
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