Succoth

Succoth (meaning: booths or tents) is the name of two distinct places in the Old Testament. (1) The first encampment of the Israelites after leaving Ramesses in Egypt at the beginning of the Exodus (Ex. 12:37; 13:20; Num. 33:5–6). It is identified with Tell el-Maskhutah in the eastern Delta, the civil name of the store city Pithom. (2) A city east of the Jordan in the territory of Gad (Josh. 13:27), identified with Tell Deir 'Alla in the Jordan Valley, where Jacob had earlier built booths for his cattle after his reunion with Esau — giving the site its name (Gen. 33:17). This Transjordanian Succoth was ruled by elders who refused to provision Gideon's army and were punished by him with thorns and briers (Judg. 8:5–16), and it was known for its foundries — the temple bronze was cast in the clay ground near Succoth (1 Kings 7:46; 2 Chr. 4:17).