Genesis 33:17

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

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.

Complete Jewish Bible:

Ya'akov went on to Sukkot, where he built himself a house and put up shelters for his cattle. This is why the place is called Sukkot [shelters].

Berean Standard Bible:

but Jacob went on to Succoth, where he built a house for himself and shelters for his livestock; that is why the place was called Succoth.

American Standard Version:

And Jacob journeyed to Succoth, and built him a house, and made booths for his cattle: therefore the name of the place is called Succoth.

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

And Jacob{H3290} journeyed{H5265} to Succoth{H5523}, and built{H1129} him an house{H1004}, and made{H6213} booths{H5521} for his cattle{H4735}: therefore the name{H8034} of the place{H4725} is called{H7121} Succoth{H5523}.

Cross-References (KJV):

Psalms 60:6

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

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.

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 8:8

  • 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 8:16

  • And he took the elders of the city, and thorns of the wilderness and briers, and with them he taught the men of Succoth.

Exodus 12:37

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

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.

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Commentary for Genesis 33:17

Genesis 33:17 is a verse from the Old Testament that captures a moment in the life of Jacob, who is a key patriarch in the Israelite lineage. The verse occurs within the larger narrative of Jacob's return to the land of Canaan after many years of living with and working for his uncle Laban in Haran.

**Themes:**
1. **Homecoming and Reconciliation:** Jacob's journey back to Canaan marks a significant moment of return and reconciliation, especially after his previous departure under strained circumstances following his deception of his brother Esau. The act of building a house and booths signifies a transition from a sojourner to a settled resident, indicating stability and establishment in the land.

2. **Providence and Blessing:** The verse reflects the theme of divine providence as Jacob, having been blessed by God and reconciled with his brother, now prospers enough to build a home and provide for his livestock. This prosperity is seen as a fulfillment of the promises made to his grandfather Abraham and his father Isaac.

3. **Naming and Identity:** The naming of the place "Succoth," meaning "booths," is indicative of the biblical practice of naming places as a way of memorializing events, thus anchoring the identity of the place in its historical significance.

**Historical Context:**
- **Patriarchal Era:** The event takes place during the Patriarchal period, which is roughly estimated to be around the early second millennium BCE. This era is characterized by the stories of the founding fathers of Israel, including Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.

- **Cultural Practices:** The building of booths for cattle reflects the pastoral lifestyle common in the ancient Near East, where nomadic and semi-nomadic peoples relied on their livestock for their livelihood and often lived in temporary dwellings.

- **Geographical Significance:** Succoth was located in the region of the Jordan Valley, an area that would later become significant in the Israelites' journey to the Promised Land. The mention of Succoth in later biblical texts suggests its ongoing importance in the collective memory of the Israelite people.

In summary, Genesis 33:17 encapsulates themes of homecoming, divine blessing, and the establishment of identity through the act of naming. It reflects the historical context of the Patriarchal era, with its pastoral lifestyle and geographical significance, while also serving as a pivotal moment in the narrative of Jacob and the unfolding story of the Israelite nation.

*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model

Strong's Numbers and Definitions:

Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)

  1. Strong's Number: H3290
    There are 319 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: יַעֲקֹב
    Transliteration: Yaʻăqôb
    Pronunciation: yah-ak-obe'
    Description: from עָקַב; heel-catcher (i.e. supplanter); Jaakob, the Israelitish patriarch; Jacob.
  2. Strong's Number: H5265
    There are 140 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: נָסַע
    Transliteration: nâçaʻ
    Pronunciation: naw-sah'
    Description: a primitive root; properly, to pull up, especially the tent-pins, i.e. start on ajourney; cause to blow, bring, get, (make to) go (away, forth, forward, onward, out), (take) journey, march, remove, set aside (forward), [idiom] still, be on his (go their) way.
  3. Strong's Number: H5523
    There are 16 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: סֻכּוֹת
    Transliteration: Çukkôwth
    Pronunciation: sook-kohth'
    Description: or סֻכֹּת; plural of סֻכָּה; booths; Succoth, the name of a place in Egypt and of three in Palestine; Succoth.
  4. Strong's Number: H1129
    There are 345 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: בָּנָה
    Transliteration: bânâh
    Pronunciation: baw-naw'
    Description: a primitive root; to build (literally and figuratively); (begin to) build(-er), obtain children, make, repair, set (up), [idiom] surely.
  5. Strong's Number: H1004
    There are 1718 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: בַּיִת
    Transliteration: bayith
    Pronunciation: bah'-yith
    Description: probably from בָּנָה abbreviated; a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.); court, daughter, door, [phrase] dungeon, family, [phrase] forth of, [idiom] great as would contain, hangings, home(born), (winter) house(-hold), inside(-ward), palace, place, [phrase] prison, [phrase] steward, [phrase] tablet, temple, web, [phrase] within(-out).
  6. Strong's Number: H6213
    There are 2286 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: עָשָׂה
    Transliteration: ʻâsâh
    Pronunciation: aw-saw'
    Description: a primitive root; to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application; accomplish, advance, appoint, apt, be at, become, bear, bestow, bring forth, bruise, be busy, [idiom] certainly, have the charge of, commit, deal (with), deck, [phrase] displease, do, (ready) dress(-ed), (put in) execute(-ion), exercise, fashion, [phrase] feast, (fight-) ing man, [phrase] finish, fit, fly, follow, fulfill, furnish, gather, get, go about, govern, grant, great, [phrase] hinder, hold (a feast), [idiom] indeed, [phrase] be industrious, [phrase] journey, keep, labour, maintain, make, be meet, observe, be occupied, offer, [phrase] officer, pare, bring (come) to pass, perform, pracise, prepare, procure, provide, put, requite, [idiom] sacrifice, serve, set, shew, [idiom] sin, spend, [idiom] surely, take, [idiom] thoroughly, trim, [idiom] very, [phrase] vex, be (warr-) ior, work(-man), yield, use.
  7. Strong's Number: H5521
    There are 29 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: סֻכָּה
    Transliteration: çukkâh
    Pronunciation: sook-kaw'
    Description: feminine of סֹךְ; a hut or lair; booth, cottage, covert, pavilion, tabernacle, tent.
  8. Strong's Number: H4735
    There are 64 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: מִקְנֶה
    Transliteration: miqneh
    Pronunciation: mik-neh'
    Description: from קָנָה; something bought, i.e. property, but only livestock; abstractly, acquisition; cattle, flock, herd, possession, purchase, substance.
  9. Strong's Number: H8034
    There are 771 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: שֵׁם
    Transliteration: shêm
    Pronunciation: shame
    Description: a primitive word (perhaps rather from through the idea of definite and conspicuous position; compare שָׁמַיִם); an appellation, as amark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority, character; [phrase] base, (in-) fame(-ous), named(-d), renown, report.
  10. Strong's Number: H4725
    There are 379 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: מָקוֹם
    Transliteration: mâqôwm
    Pronunciation: maw-kome'
    Description: or מָקֹם; also (feminine) מְקוֹמָה; or מְקֹמָה; from קוּם; properly, a standing, i.e. a spot; but used widely of a locality (general or specific); also (figuratively) of a condition (of body or mind); country, [idiom] home, [idiom] open, place, room, space, [idiom] whither(-soever).
  11. Strong's Number: H7121
    There are 689 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: קָרָא
    Transliteration: qârâʼ
    Pronunciation: kaw-raw'
    Description: a primitive root (rather identical with קָרָא through the idea of accosting a person met); to call out to (i.e. properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of applications); bewray (self), that are bidden, call (for, forth, self, upon), cry (unto), (be) famous, guest, invite, mention, (give) name, preach, (make) proclaim(-ation), pronounce, publish, read, renowned, say.