Bible Dictionary
Baca, Valley of
The Valley of Baca is the “valley of weeping” in Psalm 84:6, perhaps a real valley through which pilgrims traveled, or a figurative description of sorrow on the way to God’s sanctuary.
Definition
The Valley of Baca is the “valley of weeping” mentioned in Psalm 84. It may refer to a valley in Palestine or generally to the valleys through which pilgrims traveled toward the sanctuary on Zion.
Biblical Usage
The expression describes the pilgrims’ difficult journey to God’s sanctuary and may be understood figuratively as a valley of sorrow transformed by divine blessing.
Historical Background
The margin associates the name with balsam trees. The supplied material does not establish a definite geographical identification.
Scripture References
Historical Bible Dictionaries
Easton's Bible Dictionary
(Ps. 84:6; R.V., “valley of weeping,” marg., “or balsam trees”), probably a valley in some part of Palestine, or generally some one of the valleys through which pilgrims had to pass on their way to the sanctuary of Jehovah on Zion; or it may be figuratively “a valley of weeping.”