by Ester yusufu | 17 October 2023 08:46 am10
Answer:
Let’s begin with the Scripture:
Genesis 33:17 – “Jacob, however, went to Succoth, where he built a place for himself and made shelters for his livestock. That is why the place is called Succoth.”
The name Succoth is derived from the Hebrew word “sukkot”, meaning “temporary shelters”, “booths”, or “tents.”
This location marks a significant moment in Jacob’s journey. After spending 21 years in Paddan-aram under the household of Laban—years filled with hardship, labor, and divine shaping—Jacob was finally returning to Canaan, the land of promise (Genesis 28:1–5). At this point in his life, Jacob had already wrestled with the angel (Genesis 32:22–30) and received the name Israel, symbolizing his new identity and divine destiny.
But before continuing to Shechem (Genesis 33:18), Jacob made a temporary stop at a place he named Succoth. Theologically, this moment is rich with meaning:
Jacob did not build a permanent home here—just shelters. This reminds us that God’s people are often on a journey, passing through temporary places on their way to something greater. Like Jacob, believers are pilgrims and sojourners on earth (Hebrews 11:9–10, 13–16), looking forward to a permanent, heavenly home.
Though Succoth was not Jacob’s final destination, it was a place where he experienced rest and provision. In the same way, God provides for us even in our “in-between” seasons—those times of waiting, transition, or recovery. It’s a reminder that even temporary places can carry divine purpose.
Jacob gave the place a name based on his experience—Succoth, meaning “shelters.” This act of naming reflects a biblical pattern where places are marked by encounters with God or significant moments (e.g., Bethel in Genesis 28:19). For Jacob, Succoth was a place of survival and stabilization after many years of struggle. It’s a subtle testimony of how God brought him through.
Succoth was located east of the Jordan River, near the border of present-day Jordan and Israel. It remained a known location in Israel’s later history:
Judges 8:4–5 – “Gideon and his three hundred men, exhausted yet keeping up the pursuit, came to the Jordan and crossed it. He said to the men of Succoth, ‘Give my troops some bread; they are worn out, and I am still pursuing Zebah and Zalmunna, the kings of Midian.’”
Even in Gideon’s time, Succoth was an inhabited place. Sadly, its people refused to help Gideon, showing how places rich in spiritual heritage can still fall into hardness of heart when God’s people lose vision.
Succoth teaches us that:
Succoth wasn’t just a campsite—it was a moment of pause and provision in Jacob’s story of transformation. It reminds us to trust God not only in the promised land but also in the “in-between” places, where He prepares us for what’s next.
The Lord is coming
Source URL: https://wingulamashahidi.org/en/2023/10/17/what-is-succoth-genesis-3317/
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