Location
Overview
Succoth lay in the Jordan Valley east of the river, in the territory later belonging to Gad. It took its name from a halt in Jacob's homeward journey.
Jacob builds booths
After parting from Esau, "Jacob journeyed to Succoth, and built him an house, and made booths for his cattle: therefore the name of the place is called Succoth" — that is, "booths" (Genesis 33:17). It marks a season of settling after his long exile.
A town of the valley
Succoth was a real settlement on the eastern side of the Jordan. In the days of the judges its leaders refused bread to Gideon's weary men, and he punished them afterward (Judges 8:5–16). Solomon later cast the temple's bronze vessels "in the plain of Jordan... between Succoth and Zarthan" (1 Kings 7:46).
Events Here
Jacob builds a house and booths at Succoth
Scripture References
11 versesGenesis1 verse
Genesis 33:17
And Jacob journeyed to Succoth, and built him an house, and made booths for his cattle: therefore the name of the place is called Succoth. Succoth: that is, Booths
Joshua1 verse
Joshua 13:27
And in the valley, Betharam, and Bethnimrah, and Succoth, and Zaphon, the rest of the kingdom of Sihon king of Heshbon, Jordan and his border, even unto the edge of the sea of Chinnereth on the other side Jordan eastward.
Judges6 verses
Judges 8:5
And he said unto the men of Succoth, Give, I pray you, loaves of bread unto the people that follow me; for they be faint, and I am pursuing after Zebah and Zalmunna, kings of Midian.
Judges 8:6
And the princes of Succoth said, Are the hands of Zebah and Zalmunna now in thine hand, that we should give bread unto thine army?
Judges 8:8
And he went up thence to Penuel, and spake unto them likewise: and the men of Penuel answered him as the men of Succoth had answered him.
Judges 8:14
And caught a young man of the men of Succoth, and enquired of him: and he described unto him the princes of Succoth, and the elders thereof, even threescore and seventeen men. described: Heb. writ
Judges 8:15
And he came unto the men of Succoth, and said, Behold Zebah and Zalmunna, with whom ye did upbraid me, saying, Are the hands of Zebah and Zalmunna now in thine hand, that we should give bread unto thy men that are weary?
Judges 8:16
And he took the elders of the city, and thorns of the wilderness and briers, and with them he taught the men of Succoth. taught: Heb. made to know
1 Kings1 verse
1 Kings 7:46
In the plain of Jordan did the king cast them, in the clay ground between Succoth and Zarthan. in: Heb. in the thickness of the ground
Psalms2 verses
Psalms 60:6
God hath spoken in his holiness; I will rejoice, I will divide Shechem, and mete out the valley of Succoth.
Psalms 108:7
God hath spoken in his holiness; I will rejoice, I will divide Shechem, and mete out the valley of Succoth.
Archaeology & History
Succoth in Gilead is commonly identified with Tell Deir Alla in the Jordan Valley of modern Jordan, an important Bronze and Iron Age mound. (It is distinct from the Succoth that was Israel's first encampment leaving Egypt.) The valley's clay grounds suit the biblical note that bronze for the temple was cast nearby.
People who appear here
Frequently asked about Succoth
Where is Succoth today?
Today, Succoth corresponds to Tell Deir Alla, Jordan (probable).
What does the name Succoth mean?
The name Succoth means “Booths, shelters”.
What happened at Succoth in the Bible?
Key biblical events at Succoth include jacob builds a house and booths at succoth.
Where is Succoth first mentioned in the Bible?
Succoth is first mentioned in Genesis 33:17.
How often is Succoth mentioned in the Bible?
Succoth is mentioned in 11 verses across 5 books: Genesis, Joshua, Judges, 1 Kings, Psalms.
Why is the place called Succoth?
Because Jacob built "booths" (Hebrew sukkot) there for his livestock after crossing back toward Canaan — "Succoth" means booths or shelters.
Is this the same Succoth as in the Exodus?
No. This Succoth is east of the Jordan in Gilead (Jacob’s halt). A different Succoth in Egypt was Israel’s first stop after leaving Egypt in the Exodus.