feminine of סָךְ; an (idolatrous) booth; tabernacle.
Transliteration:çikkûwth
Pronunciation:sik-kooth'
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew term `{{H5522}}` (סִכּוּת, *çikkûwth*) is a feminine noun derived from `{{H5520}}` (סָךְ, *sak*), meaning "thicket," "covert," or "pavilion." It is closely related to `{{H5521}}` (סֻכָּה, *sukkah*), which denotes a "booth," "tent," or "tabernacle," often in a neutral or positive sense, as seen in the Feast of Booths (Sukkot). However, the specific nuance of `{{H5522}}` carries a distinctly negative connotation, primarily referring to an "idolatrous booth" or a "tabernacle" dedicated to false gods. This semantic range immediately signals its usage within contexts of apostasy and illicit worship, distinguishing it from the legitimate structures of Israelite worship. Its feminine form might subtly emphasize the dwelling place or structure itself.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term `{{H5522}}` appears only once in the Hebrew Bible, in the prophetic book of Amos:
* [[Amos 5:26]]: "You also carried along Sikkuth your king and Kiyyun, your images, the star of your gods, which you made for yourselves."
In this powerful indictment against the Northern Kingdom of Israel, the prophet Amos condemns their syncretistic worship. "Sikkuth" is presented as an idolatrous deity or, more likely, a portable shrine or "tabernacle" dedicated to a foreign deity, which the Israelites carried with them, much like the legitimate Tabernacle of YHWH was carried in the wilderness. The parallelism with "Kiyyun" (often identified with the Assyrian god Kaiwan or Saturn) and "the star of your gods" firmly places `{{H5522}}` within the realm of astral worship and pagan practices. This verse reveals that even amidst their outward observance of religious festivals and sacrifices, their hearts were far from YHWH, having embraced the worship of foreign gods and their cultic paraphernalia. The Septuagint translates "Sikkuth" as "Moloch," and this interpretation is carried into the New Testament by Stephen in [[Acts 7:43]], where he quotes Amos, linking "the tabernacle of Moloch" and "the star of the god Rephan" (corresponding to Kiyyun/Kaiwan) to Israel's persistent idolatry that led to their exile. This New Testament reference underscores the deep-seated nature of this apostasy.
### Related Words & Concepts
The semantic field of `{{H5522}}` includes:
* `{{H5520}}` (סָךְ, *sak*): The masculine root, meaning "thicket," "covert," or "pavilion," providing the foundational concept of a covered dwelling.
* `{{H5521}}` (סֻכָּה, *sukkah*): "Booth," "tent," or "tabernacle," the more common term, often used neutrally or positively, especially in reference to the Feast of Booths (Sukkot), where temporary dwellings commemorate God's provision in the wilderness. The contrast between `{{H5521}}` (legitimate temporary dwelling for YHWH's people) and `{{H5522}}` (idolatrous temporary dwelling for false gods) is stark and significant.
* `{{H7915}}` (שָׂכַךְ, *sakakh*): The verbal root "to cover," "overshadow," or "screen," from which the nouns are derived, emphasizing the concept of shelter or enclosure.
* **Idolatry (עֲבוֹדָה זָרָה):** The core concept against which `{{H5522}}` stands. Related terms include אֱלִילִים (idols), בַּעַל (Baal), and מֹלֶךְ (Molech), all representing the forbidden worship of other gods.
* **Tabernacle (מִשְׁכָּן, `{{H4908}}`):** The divinely ordained dwelling place for YHWH's presence among His people. The existence of an "idolatrous tabernacle" (`{{H5522}}`) represents a direct affront and perversion of the true Tabernacle and its sacred purpose.
### Theological Significance
The singular occurrence of `{{H5522}}` in [[Amos 5:26]] carries profound theological weight. It serves as a stark symbol of Israel's spiritual adultery and covenant unfaithfulness. The prophet Amos exposes the hypocrisy of a people who outwardly observed religious rituals while secretly, or even openly, engaging in pagan worship. The "tabernacle of Sikkuth" represents the tangible manifestation of their idolatrous devotion, a perversion of the very concept of a divine dwelling.
Theologically, `{{H5522}}` highlights:
1. **The Gravity of Idolatry:** It underscores that idolatry is not merely a minor transgression but a fundamental betrayal of the covenant relationship with YHWH, who demands exclusive worship.
2. **Syncretism's Danger:** It illustrates the insidious nature of syncretism, where elements of true worship are mixed with pagan practices, leading to spiritual corruption and divine judgment.
3. **Prophetic Condemnation:** Amos's use of this term is part of a broader prophetic indictment against Israel's social injustice and religious apostasy, demonstrating God's unwavering commitment to His covenant and His intolerance of rival gods.
4. **Divine Judgment:** The carrying of Sikkuth and Kiyyun ultimately leads to the carrying away of Israel into exile, a direct consequence of their idolatry, as affirmed in [[Acts 7:43]]. The idol they carried became a symbol of the captivity they would endure.
### Summary
`{{H5522}}` (סִכּוּת, *çikkûwth*) is a rare but highly significant Hebrew term, meaning an "idolatrous booth" or "tabernacle." Its sole appearance in [[Amos 5:26]] profoundly illustrates Israel's deep-seated apostasy and syncretistic worship of foreign deities like "Sikkuth" and "Kiyyun." This term stands in stark contrast to the legitimate `{{H5521}}` (sukkah) and `{{H4908}}` (mishkan), symbolizing a perversion of sacred space and true worship. Theologically, it serves as a potent reminder of the gravity of idolatry, the dangers of syncretism, and the divine judgment that inevitably follows covenant unfaithfulness, ultimately leading to the exile of God's people.
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