Succoth

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).

(booths).

SUC'COTH (booths), a name for two places. The place to which Jacob journeyed after leaving Esau, and where he built him a house and made booths for his cattle. Gen 33:17. It was given to the tribe of Gad. Josh 13:27. From this fact it would appear to be on the east side of the Jordan. Gideon severely punished the people of the place for not aiding him against the Midianites. Jud 8:5-8, Jud 8:14-16. At this town were the brass-foundries for casting the metal-work for the temple. 1 Kgs 7:46; 2 Chr 4:17. In the valley of the Jordan, about a mile from the river, and 10 miles south of Beisan, is a ruin called Sakut, which is identified by Robinson and others as Succoth. But the position of this place is on the wrong side of the Jordan for Succoth. The Talmud calls Succoth, Tarala, and Dr. Merrill discovered a site on the east side of the Jordan, called Tell Darala, which is 1 mile north of the Jabbok. This may be the ancient Succoth. The principal mound is thickly covered with broken pottery. The first camping-place of the Israelites in the desert. Ex 12:37; Josh 13:20; Num 33:5-6. It was a day's journey from Rameses, and must have been 12 or 15 miles east of that place. Some would identify it with Birket Timseh, or "Lake of crocodiles," a few miles north of the northern end of the Red Sea.

tents; tabernacles

SUC'COTH (booths), a name for two places. The place to which Jacob journeyed after leaving Esau, and where he built him a house and made booths for his cattle. Gen 33:17. It was given to the tribe of Gad. Josh 13:27. From this fact it would appear to be on the east side of the Jordan. Gideon severely punished the people of the place for not aiding him against the Midianites. Jud 8:5-8, Jud 8:14-16. At this town were the brass-foundries for casting the metal-work for the temple. 1 Kgs 7:46; 2 Chr 4:17. In the valley of the Jordan, about a mile from the river, and 10 miles south of Beisan, is a ruin called Sakut, which is identified by Robinson and others as Succoth. But the position of this place is on the wrong side of the Jordan for Succoth. The Talmud calls Succoth, Tarala, and Dr. Merrill discovered a site on the east side of the Jordan, called Tell Darala, which is 1 mile north of the Jabbok. This may be the ancient Succoth. The principal mound is thickly covered with broken pottery. The first camping-place of the Israelites in the desert. Ex 12:37; Josh 13:20; Num 33:5-6. It was a day's journey from Rameses, and must have been 12 or 15 miles east of that place. Some would identify it with Birket Timseh, or "Lake of crocodiles," a few miles north of the northern end of the Red Sea.