Succoth

Succoth is a name that appears in three places. The Israelites first camp there when they leave Rameses, in Exodus 12:37 and Numbers 33:5, and then move on to Etham at the edge of the wilderness. In 1 Kings 7:46, the temple’s bronze vessels are cast in clay ground between Succoth and Zarthan, in the plain of Jordan. Psalm 60:6 speaks of measuring out “the valley of Succoth”. The word is the same, but the place is not necessarily so, and the texts do not say. Begin with Exodus 12:31-37 for the first night of the journey out of Egypt.

7 verses

Exodus

Exodus 12:37

And the children of Israel journeyed from Rameses to Succoth, about six hundred thousand on foot that were men, beside children.

Exodus 13:20

And they took their journey from Succoth, and encamped in Etham, in the edge of the wilderness.

Numbers

Numbers 33:5

And the children of Israel removed from Rameses, and pitched in Succoth.

Numbers 33:6

And they departed from Succoth, and pitched in Etham, which is in the edge of the wilderness.

1 Kings

1 Kings 7:46

In the plain of Jordan did the king cast them, in the clay ground between Succoth and Zarthan.

2 Chronicles

2 Chronicles 4:17

In the plain of Jordan did the king cast them, in the clay ground between Succoth and Zeredathah.

Psalms

Psalms 60:6

God hath spoken in his holiness; I will rejoice, I will divide Shechem, and mete out the valley of Succoth.

From Easton's Bible Dictionary

Matthew George Easton, 1897

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).

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From Smith's Bible Dictionary

William Smith, 1884

(booths).

(1.) An ancient town, first heard of in the account of the homeward journey of Jacob from Padan-aram. (Genesis 35:17) The name is derived from the fact of Jacob’s having there put up "booths" (succoth) for his cattle as well as a house for himself. From the itinerary of Jacob’s return it seems that Succoth lay between Peniel, near the ford of the torrent Jabbok and Shechem. Comp. (Genesis 32:30) and Genesis33:18 In accordance with this is the mention of Succoth in the narrative of Gideon’s pursuit of Zebah and Zalluunna. (Judges 5:5-17) It would appear from this passage that it lay east of the Jordan, which is corroborated by the fact that it was allotted to the tribe of Gad. (Joshua 13:27) Succoth is named once again after this --in (1 Kings 7:46; 2 Chronicles 4:17) --as marking the spot at which the brass founderies were placed for casting the metal work of the temple. (Dr. Merrill identifies it with a site called Tell Darala , one mile north of the Jabbok. --ED.)

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(2.) The first camping-place of the Israelites when they left Egypt. (Exodus 12:37; 13:20; Numbers 33:5,6) This place was apparently reached at the close of the first days march. Rameses, the starting-place, was probably near the western end of the Wadi-t-Tumeylat . The distance traversed in each day’s journey was about fifteen miles.