שׂוּכָתִי
a Sukathite or descendant of an unknown Israelite named Sukah
Definition
The Hebrew word שׂוּכָתִי (Sûwkâthîy) is a gentilic noun, meaning 'a Sukathite.' It identifies a person as belonging to a clan or family group descended from an ancestor named Sukah. The term appears only in 1 Chronicles 2:55, where it is listed among the families of scribes who lived in Jabez. These were the Kenites who came from Hammath, the father of the house of Rechab. As a patronymic, its primary function is genealogical, serving to trace lineage and social identity within the tribal structure of Israel.
Biblical Usage
This word is used exactly once in the Old Testament, in 1 Chronicles 2:55. Its usage is purely genealogical and descriptive, identifying a specific family group ('the families of the scribes') associated with the town of Jabez. The context places the Sukathites among the Kenites, a group often linked with the Israelites but not descended from Jacob. There are no other occurrences or patterns of usage.
Etymology
The word is a patronymic, derived by adding the Hebrew gentilic suffix '-î' to a presumed masculine name 'Sukah.' This base name is likely related to the root שׂוֹךְ (sûwk, H7754), which means 'to hedge or fence about,' often used for protection. Thus, the clan name may metaphorically suggest 'protected ones' or derive from an ancestor known for building hedges or enclosures.
Semantic Range
In ancient Israelite culture, family and clan identity were paramount for social structure, inheritance, and religious duty. Being identified as a 'Sukathite' located an individual within a specific lineage and community role—in this case, among scribal families. The association with the Kenites (1 Chronicles 2:55) is notable, as they were a non-Israelite people (descended from Moses' father-in-law) often integrated into Israelite society, sometimes performing specialized duties. This reflects the complex tribal and vocational interrelationships in ancient Israel.
No direct synonyms, but related gentilic terms include: יְהוּדִי (Yᵊhûdîy, H3064) — a Judahite or Jew, identifying tribal/national origin; and הַיִּשְׁמְעֵאלִי (hayyishmᵊʿēʾlî, H3459) — an Ishmaelite, identifying descent from Ishmael.
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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