Nation
The Sukkiim
A group of North African desert dwellers who served as auxiliary troops in Shishak's Egyptian coalition against Judah during the reign of Rehoboam.
The Sukkiim (also known as the Sukkites) appear in the biblical record as a distinct ethnic group or tribe associated with the Egyptian military campaign of the 10th century BC. According to the chronicler, they were part of a vast, multi-ethnic coalition led by Pharaoh Shishak against the Kingdom of Judah.
Though their appearance is brief, they are categorized among the formidable desert warriors of the Patriarchal traditions, representing the mobile, tribal entities that often interacted with the established kingdoms of the Ancient Near East. Their inclusion in the biblical text serves to illustrate the overwhelming scale of the foreign threat facing Jerusalem during this era.
Background and Family
The biblical record provides no specific genealogical data or recorded relationships for the Sukkiim. They are mentioned not as a single individual, but as a collective tribal entity. The Hebrew name Sukkiim (Strong's H5525) is derived from a root suggesting 'dwellers in booths' or 'thicket-dwellers,' which has led many scholars to identify them as a nomadic or semi-nomadic group. While their specific ancestry is not detailed in the text, their association with Libyans and Cushites suggests a North African or Saharan origin, likely occupying regions adjacent to the Egyptian borders.
Major Life Events
The sole appearance of the Sukkiim in the biblical narrative occurs in 2 Chronicles 12:3. During the fifth year of King Rehoboam’s reign, Pharaoh Shishak of Egypt launched a massive invasion of Judah. The Sukkiim are listed as a critical component of Shishak's specialized military force, which included 1,200 chariots and 60,000 horsemen.
"With 1,200 chariots, 60,000 horsemen, and countless troops who came with him out of Egypt—Libyans, Sukkites, and Cushites."
Their participation in this campaign marks their only entry into the historical record of the Bible. As part of this coalition, they contributed to the capture of the fortified cities of Judah and the eventual advancement toward Jerusalem, which resulted in the plundering of the temple treasures.
Relationship to Other Biblical Figures
The Sukkiim are defined primarily by their military allegiance to Pharaoh Shishak. They operated alongside the Lubim (Libyans) and the Cushim (Ethiopians/Cushites). Within the narrative context, they serve as the instruments of judgment against King Rehoboam and the people of Judah, who had abandoned the law of the Lord. Their relationship to Israel is strictly adversarial, representing the external pagan forces that frequently challenged the sovereignty of the Davidic line.
Spiritual Significance
In the theological framework of 2 Chronicles, the Sukkiim represent the 'countless troops' that God allowed to prevail because of Judah’s unfaithfulness. Their presence underscores a recurring theme in the Patriarchal and Monarchic periods: the use of foreign nations by God to provoke repentance in His people. Though the Sukkiim themselves are a minor group, their inclusion highlights the diverse and international scale of the forces that God could marshal to fulfill His purposes in the Levant.