Bible Dictionary
Succoth
Succoth means “booths.” It was both an early Israelite encampment after the Exodus and a town east of the Jordan associated with Jacob, Gideon, and later the preparation of metalwork for the temple.
Definition
Succoth means “booths.” It refers both to the Israelites’ first encampment after leaving Ramesses and to a city east of the Jordan near the Jabbok. The city was associated with Jacob, Gideon, and the casting of temple metalwork.
Biblical Usage
Jacob built a house and booths for his cattle at Succoth. The city’s rulers refused aid to Gideon and his exhausted men, and Gideon later punished them. Succoth was also the place where metalwork for the temple was cast.
Historical Background
The eastern city is identified with Tell Dar‘ala, a high mound of debris in the plain north of the Jabbok, about a mile from it. The first Succoth was the Israelites’ opening encampment after leaving Egypt.
Scripture References
Related Figures
Historical Bible Dictionaries
Easton's Bible Dictionary
Booths. (1.) The first encampment of the Israelites after leaving Ramesses (Ex. 12:37); the civil name of Pithom (q.v.). (2.) A city on the east of Jordan, identified with Tell Dar’ala, a high mound, a mass of debris, in the plain north of Jabbok and about one mile from it (Josh. 13:27). Here Jacob (Gen. 32:17, 30; 33:17), on his return from Padan-aram after his interview with Esau, built a house for himself and made booths for his cattle. The princes of this city churlishly refused to afford help to Gideon and his 300 men when “faint yet pursuing” they followed one of the bands of the fugitive Midianites after the great victory at Gilboa. After overtaking and routing this band at Karkor, Gideon on his return visited the rulers of the city with severe punishment. “He took the elders of the city, and thorns of the wilderness and briers, and with them he taught the men of Succoth” (Judg. 8:13-16). At this place were erected the foundries for casting the metal-work for the temple (1 Kings 7:46).
Smith's Bible Dictionary
(booths).