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Bible Dictionaries
Succoth
Smith's Bible Dictionary
or Suc'coth. (booths).
1. 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. Compare Genesis 32:30 and Genesis 33:18.
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 called Tell Darala, one mile north of the Jabbok. - Editor).
2. The first camping place of the Israelites when they left Egypt. Exodus 12:37; Exodus 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 the Wadi-t-Tumeylat. The distance traversed in each day's journey was about fifteen miles.
These files are public domain.
Smith, William, Dr. Entry for 'Succoth'. Smith's Bible Dictionary. https://www.studylight.org/dictionaries/eng/sbd/s/succoth.html. 1901.
