Succoth (on the Jordan)

Looking to help your church and family stay connected to the Word while social distancing?
Check out our free church library, church online resources, and family resources.

Learn more

Succoth (on the Jordan)

Excerpt from the Lexham Bible Dictionary, the most advanced Bible dictionary.

A city east of the Jordan River, in the plain north of the Jabbok River (known today as the Zarqa River) and about one mile from it. On his return from Paddan-aram after his encounter with Esau, Jacob (Gen 32:17, 30; 33:17) built a house for himself here and made booths (skwt) for his livestock.The book of Joshua identifies Succoth as part of the territory belonging to Sihon, king of Heshbon. This was during the time of the Israelite conquest, when it was assigned to the tribe of Dan (Josh 13:27). However, the biblical text suggests that even some centuries later, the city remained in non-Israelite hands. According to Judges 8:5–17, when Gideon was waging war against the Midianites, he asked the inhabitants of Succoth for provisions for his army. But they and the residents of Penuel refused Gideon’s petition, perhaps because they were not sure about the outcome of the war. The narrative describes Gideon punishing the leaders of Succoth and Penuel (Judg 8:18–21). In Malamat’s view, Gideon’s actions suggest that Succoth and Penuel might have been his vassals (Malamat, “Punishment,” 70).Succoth is mentioned in the historical books of Kings and Chronicles in relationship to the building of Solomon’s temple. It was between Succoth and Zarethan that Hiram found proper clay ground to cast all the burnished bronze vessels and utensils for the temple (1 Kgs 7:46; 2 Chr 4:17). In Psalms there are two references to the Valley of Succoth as a desirable land for apportionment among the righteous (Pss 60:6; 108:7). The psalmist mentions the Valley of Succoth in Psalms in order “to substantiate claims of ownership east of the Jordan” (MacDonald, East of the Jordan, 143).

Lexham Bible Dictionary

The most advanced Bible Dictionary

The most advanced Bible dictionary as a part of Biblia Plus, which includes everything you need to take your Bible study to the next level. For less than $1 a week, you'll get devotionals, Bible study guides, thematic studies, and much more!

Expand all Collapse all

Dictionaries

The Lexham Bible Dictionary

Succoth on the Jordan

Succoth on the Jordan (סֻכּוֹת‎, sukkoth). A city east of the Jordan River, in the plain north of the Jabbok River (known today as the Zarqa River) and about one mile from it. On his return from Paddan-aram after his encounter with Esau, Jacob (Gen 32:17, 30; 33:17) built a house for himself here and

The Anchor Yale Bible Dictionary

Succoth (Place)

SUCCOTH (PLACE) [Heb sukkôt (סֻכֹּות)]. The name of two places mentioned in the OT.1. The first station of the Exodus located in the NE delta of Egypt (Exod 12:37; Num 33:5). The Israelites left Rameses and pitched in Succoth and then journeyed to Etham where they camped on the “edge of the wilderness” (Exod

Baker Encyclopedia of the Bible

Succoth

Succoth. 1. Town in the Jordan Valley listed along with other towns in the inheritance of Gad (Jos 13:27). It is located in the fertile valley called Ghaur Abu ‘Udeidah, known in the Bible as the Valley of Succoth (Ps 60:6; 108:7) and comprising the central portion of the Jordan Valley on the eastern

The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, Revised

Succoth

1. A city situated E of the Jordan River, not far from the Jabbok River. Located in the central Jordan Valley, Succoth was within the kingdom of Sihon before it was alloted to the tribe of Gad (Josh. 13:27). It is first mentioned in connection with Jacob’s travels near the Jabbok, where he wrestled an

Succoth

Succoth sukʹəth, sukʹōth [Heb. sukkôṯ, sukkōṯ—‘booths’; Gk. Sokchōth, Skēnai, etc.].

Tyndale Bible Dictionary

Succoth

SUCCOTH1. Town in the Jordan Valley listed along with other towns as belonging to the tribe of Gad (Jos 13:27). It is located in the fertile valley called Ghaur Abu ‘Udeidah, known in the Bible as the valley of Succoth (Pss 60:6; 108:7); it comprises the central portion of the Jordan Valley on the eastern

The HarperCollins Bible Dictionary (Revised and Updated)

Succoth

Succoth (suhk´uhth; Heb., “booths,” “tents,” or “temporary dwellings”).1 A town in the Jordan Valley on the “Way of the Plain” (2 Sam. 18:23), which connected it with such towns as Adam, Zarethan, and Pella, and on a major route from the central Levant to the Transjordan. Jacob returned from the east

The Wycliffe Bible Encyclopedia

Succoth

SUCCOTH. As a common noun it is the plural of Heb. sukkâ, “thicket, booth,” and is frequently used of temporary shelters for man or beast. It appears in the name of the harvest festival. Feast of Booths (Tabernacles), which also commemorated the wilderness wanderings of the Exodus, during which the

The New Bible Dictionary, Third Edition

Succoth

SUCCOTH. 1. First site on the journey of the Israelites during the Exodus, possibly equivalent to the Old Egyp. ṯkw (Pithom), which was in the E part of Wadi Tumilat (Ex. 12:37; 13:20; Nu. 33:5–6). This was the normal way in or out of Egypt for displaced persons. We find it mentioned in the Story of

Eerdmans Dictionary of the Bible

Succoth

Succoth (Heb. sukkôṯ)1. The first encampment of the Israelites during the exodus from Egypt, after leaving Rameses (Exod. 12:37; Num. 33:5–6). Many scholars have suggested that Succoth is an adaption of Egyptian Tjeku (Egyp. tkw), located near Egypt’s western border, although there is some debate

The Archaeological Encyclopedia of the Holy Land

Succoth

SUCCOTH a) The first station on the route of the Exodus, between Rameses and Etham (Exod. 12:37; 13:20), tentatively identified with a place near Jebel Mariyam, on the west bank of Lake Timsah, 15 miles from Tell el-Maskhute.b) A city in the territory of Gad, east of the River Jordan, but not far from

Catholic Bible Dictionary

Succoth

SUCCOTH (Hebrew, “booths” or “tabernacles”)1. The first site reached by the Israelites during the Exodus; it was located in the Nile’s eastern delta between Rameses and Etham (Exod 12:37, 13:20; Num 33:5–6). The site is probably Tell el-Maskhuta in the Wadi Tumilat.2. A city located in Transjordan

Email
Password
Forgot your password?