What is…
Succoth

Meaning: booths

1. Succoth, the first encampment of the Israelites after leaving Rameses

   Exodus 12:37

   Succoth is the civil name of Pithom, which is its sacred name.

   Q & A

   • What is The Exodus in the Bible?
   • What is Pithom?
   • encampments
   • camp

2. Succoth, a city north of the Jabbok

   This place is on the east of the Jordan River, identified with Tell Dar'ala, a high mound, a mass of archaeological debris, in the plain north of the Jabbok River and only about one mile from the water (Joshua 13:27).

   Here Jacob (Genesis 32:17, 30; 33:17), on his return from Padan-aram after his dreaded meeting with Esau, built a house for himself and made booths for his cattle.

   In later years, the leaders of this city churlishly refused to provide any 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” (Judges 8:13-16 KJV).

   At this place were erected the foundries for casting the metalwork for Solomon’s Temple (1 Kings 7:46).