Sochoh is a name found in the King James Bible, appearing 1 time in the text.
Who This Was
Sochoh is mentioned in the King James Bible as a town in the territory of Judah, identified in the source note as another name for Socho. It appears in the administrative records of King Solomon’s reign, specifically in the list of officials who provided provisions for the king and his household. The son of Hesed, one of Solomon’s twelve district governors, was responsible for the region that included Aruboth, Sochoh, and all the land of Hepher. Sochoh was thus part of the third district in Solomon’s system of taxation and provision.
The source note further indicates that Sochoh was a place where the Philistines gathered for battle against Israel. This detail connects the town to the broader narrative of Israel’s conflicts with the Philistines, though the specific battle is not described in the passage where Sochoh appears in 1 Kings. The mention of Sochoh in Solomon’s administrative list reflects a later period of peace and organized governance, when the town served as a district center rather than a battlefield.
Scripture says nothing more about Sochoh beyond this single reference in 1 Kings 4:10. The verse records that the son of Hesed was stationed in Aruboth, and that Sochoh and the land of Hepher belonged to his jurisdiction. No personal actions, words, or character traits are attributed to Sochoh itself, for it is a place name rather than a person. The entry in the King James Bible is brief and purely geographical and administrative, noting only its role in Solomon’s provision system.
The Name
The name Sochoh is a Hebrew place name. Its precise meaning is not clearly recoverable from the biblical text or standard lexical sources. Some scholars suggest a connection to a root meaning “to hedge” or “to enclose,” but this is uncertain and not well established. The King James Bible preserves the name as Sochoh, and the source note identifies it as another name for Socho. Because the meaning is not definitively known, it is best to say plainly that the name’s significance is obscure and should not be guessed at.
A Closing Thought
Sochoh appears only once in Scripture, as a district in Solomon’s kingdom, yet it reminds us that even the quiet places and unnamed servants play a role in God’s ordering of His people. The son of Hesed is barely remembered, and Sochoh itself is a footnote, but faithfulness in provision matters. Not every life or place is celebrated in grand narratives. Many serve behind the scenes, and God sees them. Let this small town encourage us that no act of service, however obscure, is forgotten by the Lord who records every sparrow’s fall.
At a Glance
- Gender: Male
- Testament: Old
- Mentions in the KJV: 1
Where It Appears in Scripture
- 1 Kings 4:10 — The son of Hesed, in Aruboth; to him pertained Sochoh, and all the land of Hepher: