the Fourth Week of Advent
free while helping to build churches and support pastors in Uganda.
Click here to learn more!
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.
