The Sukkiim are a group mentioned in the Old Testament, specifically in the context of King Shishak's invasion of Judah. The reference to the Sukkiim is found in 2 Chronicles 12:3, which states: "With twelve hundred chariots, sixty thousand horsemen, and countless troops who came with him out of Egypt—Libyans, Sukkiim, and Cushites—he captured the fortified cities of Judah and then came as far as Jerusalem" .

Historical Context

The Sukkiim are listed among the forces that accompanied Shishak, the Pharaoh of Egypt, during his campaign against Rehoboam, the son of Solomon and king of Judah. This event is dated to the fifth year of Rehoboam's reign, around 926 B.C. Shishak's invasion is significant as it marks a period of decline for the united monarchy of Israel and Judah, following the division of the kingdom after Solomon's death.

Identity and Origin

The exact identity and origin of the Sukkiim are subjects of scholarly debate. The term "Sukkiim" is not widely attested in other ancient Near Eastern texts, leading to various interpretations. Some scholars suggest that the Sukkiim were a nomadic or semi-nomadic people, possibly dwelling in the regions of North Africa or the Sinai Peninsula. Their inclusion alongside the Libyans and Cushites, both of whom are known to have been part of the Egyptian sphere of influence, supports the idea that they were a group allied with or subjugated by Egypt.

Role in Shishak's Campaign

The Sukkiim, along with the Libyans and Cushites, formed part of the diverse military coalition that Shishak assembled for his campaign against Judah. This coalition reflects the extensive reach of Egyptian influence and the ability of Shishak to mobilize a large and varied force. The mention of the Sukkiim in this context highlights the geopolitical dynamics of the time, where Egypt sought to assert its dominance over the Levantine territories following the weakening of Israelite power.

Biblical Significance

The invasion of Shishak, including the participation of the Sukkiim, is a pivotal moment in the biblical narrative. It serves as a divine judgment against Rehoboam and the people of Judah for their unfaithfulness to the covenant with Yahweh. The Chronicler emphasizes that the invasion was allowed by God as a consequence of Judah's sins, as stated in 2 Chronicles 12:2: "Because they had been unfaithful to the LORD, Shishak king of Egypt came up against Jerusalem" .

Cultural and Theological Implications

The mention of the Sukkiim, though brief, contributes to the broader biblical theme of God's sovereignty over nations and history. It underscores the idea that God can use foreign powers to accomplish His purposes and to discipline His people. The presence of the Sukkiim in the biblical text also reflects the interconnectedness of the ancient Near Eastern world, where diverse peoples and cultures interacted through warfare, trade, and diplomacy.

In summary, the Sukkiim, while not extensively detailed in the biblical record, play a role in illustrating the historical and theological context of Shishak's invasion of Judah. Their inclusion in the narrative serves as a reminder of the complex relationships between the nations surrounding Israel and the overarching divine narrative within which these events unfold.Sukkiim

(booth-dwellers), a nation mentioned (2 Chronicles 12:3) with the Lubim and Cushim as supplying part of the army which came with Shishak out of Egypt when he invaded Judah. The Sukkiim may correspond to some one of the shepherd or wandering races mentioned on the Egyptian monuments.

Sukkiim

Allies of Shishak in his invasion of Judah, 2 Chronicles 12:3; probably from region southeast of Egypt.

SUKKIIM

suk'-i-im (cukkiyim): Named in 2 Chronicles 12:3 as a tribe that took part with Libyans and Cretans in the invasion of Judea by Shishak. The identification is uncertain.

5525. Sukkiyyim -- Sukkiims
... 5524, 5525. Sukkiyyim. 5526 . Sukkiims. Transliteration: Sukkiyyim Phonetic
Spelling: (sook-kee') Short Definition: Sukkiim. Word ...
/hebrew/5525.htm - 6kSukkiim (1 Occurrence)
... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia SUKKIIM. suk ... The identification is uncertain.
Multi-Version Concordance Sukkiim (1 Occurrence). 2 ...
/s/sukkiim.htm - 7k

Suk'ki-im (1 Occurrence)
Suk'ki-im. Sukkiim, Suk'ki-im. Sukkiims . Multi-Version Concordance
Suk'ki-im (1 Occurrence). ... (See RSV). Sukkiim, Suk'ki-im. Sukkiims . Reference
/s/suk'ki-im.htm - 6k

1200 (1 Occurrence)
... thousand horsemen. The people were without number who came with him out of
Egypt: the Lubim, the Sukkiim, and the Ethiopians. (See NAS). ...
/num/1200.htm - 6k

60000 (1 Occurrence)
... thousand horsemen. The people were without number who came with him out of
Egypt: the Lubim, the Sukkiim, and the Ethiopians. (See NAS). ...
/num/60000.htm - 6k

Lubim (4 Occurrences)
... The people were without number who came with him out of Egypt: the Lubim, the
Sukkiim, and the Ethiopians. (WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE WBS YLT NAS). ...
/l/lubim.htm - 8k

Innumerable (12 Occurrences)
... horsemen. The people were without number who came with him out of Egypt:
the Lubim, the Sukkiim, and the Ethiopians. (See NIV). Job ...
/i/innumerable.htm - 10k

Ethiopians (11 Occurrences)
... The people were without number who came with him out of Egypt: the Lubim, the
Sukkiim, and the Ethiopians. (WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY NAS RSV). ...
/e/ethiopians.htm - 10k

Cushim (8 Occurrences)
... two hundred chariots, and with sixty thousand horsemen, and there is no number to
the people who have come with him out of Egypt -- Lubim, Sukkiim, and Cushim ...
/c/cushim.htm - 8k

Suits (2 Occurrences)

/s/suits.htm - 6k

Shishak (6 Occurrences)
... Shishak came up against Jerusalem with 1,200 chariots, and 60,000 horsemen, and
people without number out of Egypt, the Libyans, Sukkiim, and Ethiopians, and ...
/s/shishak.htm - 13k

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