Overview:
Socoh, also spelled Sochoh or Sokoh, is a biblical town mentioned in the Old Testament. It is located in the territory of Judah and is noted for its strategic position in the Shephelah, the lowland region between the Judean highlands and the coastal plains. Socoh is significant in biblical history, particularly in the context of military events and territorial delineations.

Biblical References:

1. Territorial Allotment:
Socoh is first mentioned in the context of the territorial allotments of the tribes of Israel. It is listed among the towns in the inheritance of the tribe of Judah. In Joshua 15:35, the Berean Standard Bible states: "Jarmuth, Adullam, Socoh, Azekah."

2. Battle of David and Goliath:
Socoh is prominently featured in the narrative of David and Goliath. The Philistines gathered their forces for war at Socoh, which belonged to Judah, and encamped between Socoh and Azekah in Ephes-dammim. This location set the stage for the famous encounter between the young shepherd David and the giant Goliath. 1 Samuel 17:1 records: "Now the Philistines gathered their forces for war and assembled at Socoh in Judah. They camped between Socoh and Azekah in Ephes-dammim."

3. Rehoboam's Fortifications:
Socoh is also mentioned in the context of King Rehoboam's fortification efforts. After the division of the united monarchy, Rehoboam, the son of Solomon, fortified several cities in Judah to strengthen his kingdom against potential invasions. 2 Chronicles 11:7 notes: "Beth-zur, Socoh, Adullam."

Historical and Archaeological Insights:

Socoh's location in the Shephelah made it a site of strategic military importance. The Shephelah served as a buffer zone between the coastal Philistine cities and the Judean highlands, making Socoh a key point of defense and conflict. Archaeological excavations in the region have uncovered remains that provide insights into the town's historical significance and its role in the biblical narrative.

Theological Significance:

From a theological perspective, Socoh serves as a backdrop for the demonstration of God's power and providence. The battle between David and Goliath, which took place near Socoh, is a testament to God's ability to deliver His people through seemingly unlikely means. David's victory over Goliath is often interpreted as a symbol of faith and divine intervention, emphasizing that God can use the humble and the faithful to achieve His purposes.

Conclusion:

Socoh's mention in the Bible, though brief, is tied to significant events that highlight themes of faith, divine intervention, and the fulfillment of God's promises to His people. Its strategic location and historical context provide a deeper understanding of the biblical narrative and the unfolding of God's plan in the history of Israel.Socoh

tents; tabernacles

Socoh

the name of two towns in the tribe of Judah.

1. In the district of the Shefelah. (Joshua 15:35; 1 Samuel 17:1; 2 Chronicles 11:7; 8:18) In the time of Eusebius it bore the name of Socchoth, and lay between eight and nine Roman miles from Eleutheropolis, on the road to Jerusalem. It may be identified with esh-Shuweikeh , in the western part of the mountains of Judah. From this village probably came Antigonus of Soco, who lived about the commencement of the third century B.C.
2. Also a town of Judah, but in the mountain district. (Joshua 15:48) It has been discovered about 10 miles southwest of Hebron; bearing, like the other Socoh, the name of esh-Shuweikeh .

SOCOH; SOCO

so'-ko (sokkhoh, "branches"), (sokho (in Chronicles only); Socho, most usual, but many forms in Septuagint and in the King James Version: Socoh, Shochoh, Shoco, Shocho):

(1) A city in the Shephelah of Judah mentioned along with Jarmuth, Adullam, Azekah, etc. (Joshua 15:35); the Philistines "gathered together at Socoh, which belongeth to Judah, and encamped between Socoh and Azekah" (1 Samuel 17:1); it is mentioned as one of the districts from which Solomon drew his supplies (1 Kings 4:10, the King James Version "Sochoh"); the association of Socoh in this verse with Hepher is worth noticing in connection with 1 Chronicles 4:18 ("Heber"). Soco (the King James Version "Shoco") was one of the cities fortified by Rehoboam for the defense of Judah (2 Chronicles 11:7); it was captured by the Philistines in the time of Ahaz (2 Chronicles 28:18). The site is, without doubt, Khirbet esh Shuweikeh (Shuweikeh is a diminutive of Shaukeh, "a thorn"), a rounded, elongated hilltop, showing clear traces of ancient city walls. The situation is one of considerable natural strength on the south side of the Vale of Elah just where the Wady ec Cur makes a sweep to the West and becomes the Wady es Sunt. Like so many such ancient sites, the hill has very steep slopes on 3 sides (South, West, and North), and is isolated from the ridge of higher ground to the East by a narrow neck of lower ground. In the valley to the Southwest is a plentiful spring. The site was known to Jerome in the 4th century. He described it as 8 or 9 Roman miles from Eleutheropolis (Beit Jibrin) (PEF, III, 53, 125, Sh XVII, BR, II, 21). The Sucathites (1 Chronicles 2:55) were probably inhabitants of Soco.

(2) A city of Judah in the South, associated (Joshua 15:48) with Shamir and Jattir. This is doubtless Khirbet Shuweikeh, a large ruin occupying a low hill, 10 miles Southwest of Hebron; there are many caves and rock-cut cisterns as well as drafted stones. Cheyne doubtfully locates the Socoh of 1 Kings 4:10 here. See PEF, 404, 410, Sh XXV; B R, I, 494.

E. W. G. Masterman

7755. Sokoh -- two places in Judah
... two places in Judah. Transliteration: Sokoh or Soko Phonetic Spelling: (so-ko')
Short Definition: Socoh. ... Shocho, Shochoh, Sochoh, Soco, Socoh. ...
/hebrew/7755.htm - 6k

Divers Matters.
... V. Socoh, Joshua 15:35. Thence was Antigonus, some time president of the Sanhedrim.
"Antigonus of Soco received the Cabala of Simeon the Just.". VI. ...
/.../lightfoot/from the talmud and hebraica/chapter 55 divers matters.htm

David's victory Over the Giant
... depart from him. Now the Philistines gathered their forces for war, and
camped between Socoh and Ezekah in Ephesdammim. Saul and ...
/.../sherman/the childrens bible/davids victory over the giant.htm

Letter cviii. To Eustochium.
... 14. I will now pass on to Egypt, pausing for a while on the way at Socoh, and at
Samson's well which he clave in the hollow place that was in the jaw. ...
/.../jerome/the principal works of st jerome/letter cviii to eustochium.htm

Socoh (4 Occurrences)
... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia SOCOH; SOCO. so'-ko (sokkhoh, "branches"),
(sokho (in Chronicles only); Socho, most usual, but many ...
/s/socoh.htm - 10k

Soco (3 Occurrences)
... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia SOCOH; SOCO. so'-ko (sokkhoh, "branches"),
(sokho (in Chronicles only); Socho, most usual, but many ...
/s/soco.htm - 10k

Azekah (7 Occurrences)
... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. AZEKAH. a-ze'-ka `azekah: A town of some importance
in the Shephelah of Judah mentioned (Joshua 15:35) next to Socoh. ...
/a/azekah.htm - 11k

Ephesdammim (1 Occurrence)
... e-fes-dam'-im ('ephec dammim): Some spot between Socoh and Azekah (1 Samuel 17:1)
where the Philistines were encamped; called in 1 Chronicles 11:13, "Pas-dammin ...
/e/ephesdammim.htm - 8k

Ephes-dammim (1 Occurrence)
... e-fes-dam'-im ('ephec dammim): Some spot between Socoh and Azekah (1 Samuel 17:1)
where the Philistines were encamped; called in 1 Chronicles 11:13, "Pas-dammin ...
/e/ephes-dammim.htm - 8k

Aze'kah (6 Occurrences)
... and unto Makkedah. (See RSV). Joshua 15:35 Jarmuth, and Adullam, Socoh, and
Azekah; (See RSV). 1 Samuel 17:1 Now the Philistines gathered ...
/a/aze'kah.htm - 7k

Arubboth (1 Occurrence)
... With Arubboth are mentioned "Socoh, and all the land of Hepher," and as Socoh lay
in the Shephelah (Joshua 15:35), Arubboth probably lay in the southern part ...
/a/arubboth.htm - 7k

Socho (1 Occurrence)
... A fence; hedge, (1 Chronicles 4:18; RV, Soco)=So'choh (1 Kings 4:10; RV, Socoh),
Sho'choh (1 Samuel 17:1; RV, Socoh), Sho'co (2 Chronicles 11:7; RV, Soco), Sho ...
/s/socho.htm - 8k

Adullam (10 Occurrences)
... Among the 14 Judahite cities of the first group in "the lowland" Adullam
is mentioned between Jarmuth and Socoh. In the list of ...
/a/adullam.htm - 16k

Jarmuth (7 Occurrences)
... In Joshua 15:35 it is mentioned in conjunction with Adullam, Socoh and Azekah,
and in Nehemiah 11:29 with Zorah, Zanoah and Adullam. ...
/j/jarmuth.htm - 11k

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