סֻכִּי
a Sukkite, or inhabitant of some place near Egypt (i.e. hut-dwellers)
Definition
The Hebrew word סֻכִּי (Çukkîy) refers to a 'Sukkite,' a term used to describe a people group dwelling in temporary shelters or huts. It is a gentilic noun, meaning it identifies someone by their place of origin or residence, specifically inhabitants of a location called Sukkoth or a similar place near Egypt. The term likely derives from the common Hebrew word for a temporary booth or shelter (סֻכָּה, sukkah), implying a nomadic or semi-permanent lifestyle. In its sole biblical occurrence, it describes a contingent among the forces that came against King Rehoboam (2 Chronicles 12:3).
Biblical Usage
This word is used only once in the Old Testament, in 2 Chronicles 12:3. It appears in a military context, listing the 'Sukkiims' as part of a coalition army—alongside Libyans, Cushites, and others—that invaded Judah during the reign of Rehoboam. This singular usage provides no pattern but identifies them as a distinct ethnic or regional group from the general vicinity of Egypt, likely the northeastern frontier or the Sinai region.
Etymology
The word סֻכִּי (Çukkîy) is a patrial noun (a name for an inhabitant) formed from an unknown place name, likely related to סֻכּוֹת (Sukkoth, H5523), meaning 'booths.' It is derived from the root סָכַךְ (sakak, H5520), meaning 'to cover' or 'to screen,' which is also the root for the temporary shelter or booth (סֻכָּה, sukkah) used in the Feast of Tabernacles. Thus, the name essentially means 'dwellers in booths' or 'hut-dwellers.'
Semantic Range
While not a theologically central term, its connection to the root for 'booth' (sukkah) can evoke the biblical theme of transience and divine protection. The sukkah symbolizes Israel's wilderness wanderings and God's provisional care (Leviticus 23:42-43). The Sukkiims, as 'hut-dwellers,' remind readers that God's people often faced threats from neighboring nations, yet God remained their ultimate shelter. Understanding this link enriches the reading of 2 Chronicles 12 by subtly contrasting the temporary shelters of these invaders with the enduring refuge found in God.
In the ancient Near East, groups identified by terms like 'hut-dwellers' were often semi-nomadic or lived in temporary settlements on the fringes of established civilizations. Their inclusion in Shishak's army (2 Chronicles 12:3) suggests they were likely mercenaries or allied tribes from the desert regions near Egypt. This reflects the common practice of Egyptian pharaohs incorporating various Libyan and desert-dwelling peoples into their military campaigns. The term distinguishes them from settled urban populations and points to a specific socio-economic and geographical reality.
סֻכּוֹת (Sukkoth, H5523) — A place name meaning 'booths,' the likely geographical origin of the Sukkiite people. כּוּשִׁי (Kûshîy, H3569) — Another gentilic for an inhabitant of Cush (Nubia), listed alongside the Sukkiims in 2 Chronicles 12:3, representing a different regional force in the same coalition. לֻבִּי (Lubbîy, H3864) — A gentilic for a Libyan, also part of the invading army in 2 Chronicles 12:3, indicating another distinct people group from North Africa.
Word Details
How this works
Hebrew definitions are from Brown-Driver-Briggs (1906) and Strong's Exhaustive Concordance (1890), both public domain. BDB was groundbreaking for its era but reflects 19th-century assumptions about Semitic etymology. Modern scholarship (HALOT, DCH) has revised many entries. Use these definitions as a starting point for exploration, not as the final word on a term's meaning in context.
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