Baca
“Weeping, or balsam tree”
Summary
A valley mentioned in Psalm 84, symbolizing a place of weeping or drought that pilgrims transform into springs through faith.
☩The Valley of Baca
The 'Valley of Baca' appears in a psalm celebrating the blessedness of those who journey to worship at God's house in Zion. The Hebrew word may refer to a type of balsam tree that grows in dry valleys, or may be related to the word for 'weeping.' The passage portrays pilgrims passing through this difficult, arid place, yet transforming it into 'a well' through their joy and faith in God.
☩Symbolic Interpretation
Most interpreters understand the valley symbolically as representing the trials and sorrows believers encounter on their pilgrimage to God. Those whose strength is in the Lord turn their valleys of tears into sources of blessing. Some connect it with the Valley of Hinnom or Rephaim where baca (mulberry) trees grew.
Related Verses1 mention
Psalms· 1 verse
References
- 1.John McClintock and James Strong, "Baca, Valley Of," in Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature, vol. I (Harper & Brothers, 1867–1887).
- 2.James Orr (ed.), "Baca," in International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, vol. I (Howard-Severance Company, 1915).
- 3.F. N. Peloubet & M. A. Peloubet (ed.), "Baca," in Smith's Bible Dictionary (Porter & Coates, 1884).
- 4.Andrew Robert Fausset, "Baca," in The Englishman's Critical and Expository Bible Cyclopædia (Hodder & Stoughton, 1878).