Succoth

From Bible Exegesis

Succoth (1)

suk´oth, suk´ōth (סכּות, ṣukkōth, “booths”; Σκηναί, Skēnai, Σοκχώθ, Sokchṓth, etc.):

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, Genesis 32:30; Genesis 33:17), on his return from Padan-Aram after his interview with Esau, built a house for himself and made booths for his cattle.

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 ff). 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).

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).

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 7:46; 2 Chronicles 4:17). At this place were erected the foundries for casting the metal-work for the temple (1 Kings 7:46).

Jerome (on Genesis 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. From Psalms 60:6; Psalms 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 ‛Allā, 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 Sākūt West of the Jordan, about 10 miles South of Beisān. 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.

Succoth (2)

(סכּות, ṣukkōth; Σοκχώθ, Sokchṓth (Exodus 12:37; Exodus 13:20; Numbers 33:5)):

The first station of the Hebrews on leaving Rameses (Exodus 12:37); the civil name of Pithom (see Exodus). The word means “booths.” The distance from Etham (which see) suggests that the site may have lain in the lower part of Wâdy Tumeilât, 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.