Troglodytes

TROGLODYTES. This Word, in Greek,¹ signifies those that have their Abode in Holes and Caverns. There are many of this sort of People about Palestine, in Arabia, upon the Coasts of the Red Sea, and the Persian Gulph, and in Egypt. The Scripture mentions the Troglodytes only in one Place, which is 2 Chron. xii. 3. Lybies & Troglodytæ, & Æthiopes. The Hebrew says,b the Lubims, the Sukkims, Cushims, or Æthiopians.

The greatest part of Interpreters agree, that the Sukkim, in reality signifies the Troglodytes. Bochart is of this Opinion, Phaleg. l. 4. c. 29. where he shews, that Sukkah in Hebrew signifies a Hole or Cave; and that Plin. l. 6. c. 29.Pliny places the City of Succha upon the Shore of the Red Sea, in the Country of the Troglodytes. Grotius, and some others, chuse rather to suppose that the Sukkims, mentioned in the Chronicles, and which were in the Army of Shishack King of Egypt, stand for People that dwell in Tents, as the Arabian Scenites. There were many of these sorts of Arabians in Arabia Petrea, and about Egypt, who did not take the trouble of cultivating their Lands, or of building Houses.

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