John Gill Commentary Genesis 33:17

"And Jacob journeyed to Succoth, and built him a house, and made booths for his cattle: therefore the name of the place is called Succoth." — Genesis 33:17 (ASV)

And Jacob journeyed to Succoth
Perhaps after he had been at Seir, and stayed there some little time. Succoth was on the other side of Jordan, so called by anticipation, for it had its name from what follows; as yet there was no city built here, or at least of this name; afterwards there was, it lay in a valley, and belonged to Sihon king of Heshbon, and was given to the tribe of Gad, (Joshua 13:27) ; it is mentioned along with Penuel, and was not far from it, (Judges 8:8) . It is said to be only two miles distant from it ^F21, but one would think it should be more:

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and built him an house, and made booths for his cattle
an house for himself and family, and booths or tents for his servants or shepherds, and for the cattle they had the care of, some for one, and some for the other. He did this with an intention to stay some time here, as it seems; and the Targum of Jonathan says he continued here a whole year, and Jarchi eighteen months, a winter and two summers; but this is all uncertain:

therefore the name of the place is called Succoth ;
from the booths or tents built here, which this word signifies.

FOOTNOTES:

• F21: Bunting's Travels, p. 72.