סֻכּוֹת
Succoth, the name of a place in Egypt and of three in Palestine
Definition
Succoth (סֻכּוֹת) is a proper noun meaning 'booths' or 'temporary shelters,' referring to several distinct locations in the Bible. Its most famous mention is the first stop for the Israelites after leaving Egypt (Exodus 12:37, 13:20), a place in the eastern Nile Delta. In Canaan, another Succoth was a city in the Jordan Valley allotted to the tribe of Gad (Joshua 13:27). A third location, also in Canaan, is where Jacob built booths for his livestock, giving the place its name (Genesis 33:17). Finally, a Succoth is mentioned in the context of Gideon's pursuit of the Midianite kings (Judges 8:5-6).
Biblical Usage
The word is used exclusively as a place name in the Old Testament, appearing 16 times. It is found in narrative books like Genesis, Exodus, Numbers, Joshua, Judges, 1 Kings, and Psalms. Its usage consistently identifies geographical locations, with the context determining which specific Succoth is intended. For example, in the Pentateuch, it primarily refers to the Egyptian site of the Exodus (Exodus 12:37, Numbers 33:5-6), while in Joshua and Judges, it refers to the Canaanite city.
Etymology
The word סֻכּוֹת (Çukkôwth) is the plural form of the common noun סֻכָּה (sukkah, H5521), meaning 'booth,' 'hut,' or 'temporary shelter.' It derives from the root סכך (s-k-k), meaning 'to weave together' or 'to cover,' referring to the construction of such shelters from branches. The place name therefore means 'Booths,' likely describing a settlement known for such structures or where they were famously built.
Semantic Range
The name Succoth carries theological significance as a symbol of God's provisional care and human transience. The first Succoth in Egypt marks the initial stage of the Exodus, representing the first step of liberation and God's guidance into the wilderness. Jacob's building of booths (Genesis 33:17) signifies a pause in his journey, a temporary dwelling under God's protection. This connects to the Feast of Tabernacles (Sukkot), where Israelites lived in booths to remember God's shelter during the wilderness wanderings (Leviticus 23:42-43). Thus, the name evokes themes of pilgrimage, divine provision, and the temporary nature of earthly life compared to God's eternal dwelling.
In the ancient Near East, temporary booths (sukkot) were commonly used by travelers, herdsmen, and soldiers in the field. Naming a location 'Booths' would immediately communicate it was a place of temporary shelter, a campsite, or a seasonal settlement. This differs from a modern place name, which might commemorate a person or event. For the Israelites, the name would have resonated with their nomadic pastoral origins and the experience of the wilderness.
סֻכָּה (sukkah, H5521) — The singular form meaning 'booth' or 'hut,' the basic unit from which the place name is derived. מִשְׁכָּן (mishkan, H4908) — Refers to the 'tabernacle' or 'dwelling place,' specifically God's portable sanctuary, a more permanent and sacred structure than a simple sukkah. אֹהֶל (ohel, H168) — Means 'tent,' the primary dwelling for nomadic peoples, often more substantial and long-term than a temporary sukkah.
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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