Original Word: שׂוֹכֹה
Part of Speech: Proper Name Location
Transliteration: Sowkoh
Pronunciation: SOH-koh
Phonetic Spelling: (so-ko')
KJV: Shocho, Shochoh, Sochoh, Soco, Socoh
NASB: Socoh, Soco
Word Origin: [from H7753 (שׂוּך - hedge)]

1. Sokoh or Soko, the name of two places in Israel

Shocho, Shochoh, Sochoh, Soco, Socoh

Or Sokoh {so-ko'}; or Sowkow {so-ko'}; from suwk; Sokoh or Soko, the name of two places in Palestine -- Shocho, Shochoh, Sochoh, Soco, Socoh.

see HEBREW suwk

Word Origin
from the same as sok
Definition
two places in Judah
NASB Translation
Soco (3), Socoh (5).

שׂוֺכֹה, שׂוֺכוֺ proper name, of a location in Judah:

1 in Shephelah, שׂוֺכֹה Joshua 15:35; 1 Samuel 17:1 (twice in verse) (from ᵐ5 Σοκχωθ HPS (after We, compare Dr) conjectures שׂכות), שׂוֺכוֺ2Chronicles 11:7; 28:18, perhaps also שׂכֹה 1 Kings 4:10 (Buhl Benz SS ['perhaps']; Th Kit below

2); modern Eš-Šuw¢ke, south-southeast from Beth Shemesh, in Wady-es-San‰ Rob^{BR 1. 494} Buhl^{Geogr. 194}; Σωχω, Σοκχωθ, etc.

2 in hill-country, Joshua 15:48 (Kt שׂוכה, Qr שׂוכוֺ), probably also שׂוֺכוֺ 1 Chronicles 4:18 ('son' of חֶבֶר); modern Šuwêke, 4 h. south of חֶבְרֵוֺן Rob^{BR ii. 16. 21} Buhl^{Geogr. 164}; Σωχω(ν).

Biblical Profile

• Joshua 15:35 – named among the lowland towns allotted to Judah.
• Joshua 15:48 – appears again in the hill-country roster of Judah.
• 1 Samuel 17:1 – Philistines assembled at Socoh to challenge Israel.
• 1 Kings 4:10 – placed in the administrative district of Ben-Hesed during Solomon’s reign.
• 1 Chronicles 4:18 – connected to a Judean clan (“Heber the father of Socoh”).
• 2 Chronicles 11:7 – fortified by Rehoboam after the kingdom divided.
• 2 Chronicles 28:18 – overrun by Philistines in the days of Ahaz.

Dual Locations in Judah

The distribution lists in Joshua imply two distinct towns bearing the same name.

1. Lowland Socoh (Shephelah): situated between Azekah and Adullam, generally identified with Khirbet Shuweikeh on the southern edge of the Elah Valley.
2. Hill-country Socoh: probably farther south-west, with suggested sites such as Khirbet Abbad. Both lay within Judah’s inheritance, reflecting the tribe’s varied topography from fertile valleys to rugged interior.

David and Goliath

“Now the Philistines gathered their forces for war and assembled at Socoh in Judah. They camped between Socoh and Azekah in Ephes-dammim” (1 Samuel 17:1).

Socoh thus frames the setting for David’s victory—a pivotal moment when covenant faith outmatched martial supremacy. The town’s mention highlights the Philistines’ deep penetration into Judah and sets the stage for God’s deliverance through an unlikely shepherd.

Strategic Value in the Monarchy

Rehoboam, mindful of the Philistine threat that had once mustered at Socoh, fortified the town as part of a defensive chain: “He built up Bethlehem, Etam, Tekoa, Beth-zur, Socoh, Adullam…” (2 Chronicles 11:6-7). Later, during Ahaz’s compromised reign, the Philistines captured these same strongholds, including Socoh (2 Chronicles 28:18), underscoring the consequences of spiritual decline.

Administrative Significance under Solomon

In 1 Kings 4:10 Socoh belongs to the second of Solomon’s twelve tax districts, confirming its continued importance as a population center able to supply the royal court. The passage shows a united monarchy benefiting from the productivity of towns once wracked by conflict.

Clan Identity

The genealogical note in 1 Chronicles 4:18 (“Heber the father of Socoh”) reveals that Socoh gave its name to a family or clan within Judah, indicating long-term settlement stability and an enduring sense of place among its inhabitants.

Archaeological Corroboration

Tell el-Shuweikeh (lowland Socoh) contains Iron Age fortifications, silos, and a water system consistent with a fortified Judean town of the monarchic period. Pottery sequences corroborate occupation during the eras reflected in Samuel–Kings and Chronicles. The double-wall system at the summit corresponds well with Rehoboam’s fortification list.

Ministry Reflections

1. Battlefield of Faith: Socoh’s valley reminds believers that spiritual battles often erupt on familiar ground. David’s example encourages trust in the LORD rather than in visible strength.
2. Vigilance and Obedience: Rehoboam’s wise fortifications proved inadequate when later generations drifted from covenant fidelity, teaching that security ultimately depends on steadfast obedience to God.
3. Stewardship of Blessing: Solomon’s administrative use of Socoh illustrates how God’s gifts—lands, towns, resources—are to be organized for the common good when a nation walks in righteousness.

Key Verses for Study

Joshua 15:35; 1 Samuel 17:1; 2 Chronicles 11:7; 2 Chronicles 28:18.

By tracing Socoh through Scripture, one observes how a single place can serve as a backdrop for conquest, worship, administration, and warning—each episode harmonizing with the wider biblical testimony to God’s redemptive purposes in history.

וְשׂוֹכֹֽה׃ ושוכה׃ שֹׂכֹ֖ה שׂוֹכ֔וֹ שׂוֹכ֖וֹ שׂוֹכ֤וֹ שׂוֹכֹ֖ה שׂוֹכֹ֥ה שוכה שוכו שכה śō·ḵōh śō·w·ḵōh śō·w·ḵōw soCho soChoh śōḵōh śōwḵōh śōwḵōw vesoChoh wə·śō·w·ḵōh wəśōwḵōhInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts