Bible Dictionary
Booth
A booth was a temporary hut made from branches or other materials. Such shelters were used by travelers, soldiers, shepherds, and harvesters, and especially during the Feast of Booths to remember Israel’s wilderness dwelling.
Definition
A booth is a temporary hut or shelter made from wattled twigs, branches, or other readily available materials. Such structures could house people, cattle, soldiers, harvesters, or watchmen protecting vineyards and fields.
Biblical Usage
Jacob stayed temporarily at a place called Succoth because of the booths made there. Booths were erected for the Feast of Tabernacles to commemorate Israel’s dwelling in the wilderness.
Historical Background
Branch huts could be constructed quickly and were common where trees were plentiful. Their temporary character also made the booth a biblical symbol of impermanence and isolation.
Scripture References
Related Figures
Historical Bible Dictionaries
Easton's Bible Dictionary
A hut made of the branches of a tree. In such tabernacles Jacob sojourned for a season at a place named from this circumstance Succoth (Gen. 33:17). Booths were erected also at the feast of Tabernacles (q.v.), Lev. 23:42, 43, which commemorated the abode of the Israelites in the wilderness.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (ISBE)
<p>booth, booth: The Hebrew word cukkah (rendered in the King James Version "booth" or "booths," eleven times; "tabernacle" or "tabernacles," ten times; "pavilion" or "pavilions," five times; "cottage" once) means a hut made of wattled twigs or branches (Le 23:42; Ne 8:15). In countries where trees are abundant such wattled structures are common as temporary buildings as they can be constructed in a very short time. Cattle were probably housed in them (Ge 33:17). Such hurriedly-made huts were use d by soldiers (2Sa 11:11; 1Ki 20:12) and by harvesters--hence, the name feast of "booths" or "tabernacles" (see TABERNACLES, FEAST OF). Job 27:18 uses booth (parallel moth's house) as a symbol of impermanence. Similar huts were erected in vineyards, etc., to protect them from robbers and beasts of prey. The isolated condition of Jerusalem in the time of the prophet Isaiah is compared to a "booth in a vineyard" (Isa 18).</p><p>T. Lewis</p>