And Jacob journeyed to Succoth
Perhaps after he had been at Seir, and stayed there some little
time. Succoth was on the other side of Jordan, so called by
anticipation, for it had its name from what follows; as yet there
was no city built here, or at least of this name; afterwards
there was, it lay in a valley, and belonged to Sihon king of
Heshbon, and was given to the tribe of Gad, ( Joshua 13:27
) ; it is mentioned along with Penuel, and was not far from it, (
Judges 8:8 ) .
It is said to be but two miles distant from it F21, but
one would think it should be more: and built him an house,
and made booths for his cattle;
an house for himself and family, and booths or tents for his
servants or shepherds, and for the cattle they had the care of,
some for one, and some for the other. This he did with an
intention to stay some time here, as it should seem; and the
Targum of Jonathan says he continued here a whole year, and
Jarchi eighteen months, a winter and two summers; but this is all
uncertain: therefore the name of the place is called
Succoth;
from the booths or tents built here, which this word signifies.