שֹׂךְ (sokh)
sokh
booth
H:N-MQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:N-M
Word Overview
The noun sokh refers to a temporary shelter, such as a booth or pavilion. It describes a structure built for immediate use rather than permanent residence, evoking images of simple, perhaps hastily constructed coverings.
This word appears only once in the Hebrew Bible, in Lamentations 2:6. There, it is used metaphorically to describe how God has destroyed the dwelling place of His strength. The imagery suggests that what was once a secure and honored space has been reduced to a fragile, vulnerable shelter, emphasizing the suddenness and completeness of the judgment described in the text.
Its rarity makes this single occurrence particularly significant. By using a word for a temporary hut to describe the sanctuary, the text highlights the loss of stability and protection. The contrast between the intended permanence of a temple and the fragility of a booth underscores the depth of the tragedy portrayed in Lamentations.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The Hebrew word sokh describes a temporary shelter, like a leafy hut or pavilion used for immediate needs rather than permanent living. In Lamentations 2:6, this image is used to show how God’s sanctuary was reduced to something fragile and vulnerable. It reminds us that even the most sacred spaces can feel exposed during times of deep sorrow or judgment.
When life feels unstable, this word offers a quiet comfort. It acknowledges that our sense of security can shift quickly, but it also points to the reality that God is present even in broken places. We do not need perfect conditions to find hope; we only need to trust in His enduring presence.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- booth/ his1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- שֻׂכּ֔/וֹ1×
Key Verses
-
Lamentations 2:6
He has violently taken away his tabernacle, as if it were a garden. He has destroyed his place of assembly. Yahweh has caused solemn assembly and Sabbath to be forgotten in Zion. In the indignation of his anger, he has despised the king and the priest.
The word sokh is used here to metaphorically describe the temple as a fragile, temporary shelter, emphasizing the sudden loss of divine protection and stability.