Dictionary Article

Phrase in Psalm 84:6 often translated “valley of weeping.” The Hebrew word baca refers to some kind of tree in 2 Samuel 5:23-24 and 1 Chronicles 14:14-15, where it is translated mulberry (KJB), aspen, or balsam. It is not known whether the valley of Baca in Psalm 84 was a literal place or a symbolic expression for grief or difficulty in life. For those who seek to follow in the Lord’s steps, the psalmist said, that valley becomes a pool of blessing and refreshment.

Show passage in OET: PSA 84:6

OET-RV PSA 84:6

6 Passing through the Valley of Tears, they find springs of water to drink.
⇔ The early rains cover it with blessings.

OET-LV PSA 84:7

7  Those _who_pass _of in_the _valley _of (the)_Baca a _spring they_make _it also blessings early _rain it _covers_it.

Show passage in OET: SA2 5:23–24

OET-RV SA2 5:23

23 Again David inquired from Yahweh who replied, “No, don’t go straight in. Move around behind them and then attack them from opposite the trees.

OET-RV SA2 5:24

24 Then when you hear a sound in the tops of the trees that sounds like marching, then you’ll know that Yahweh has gone ahead to strike the Pelishtim’ camp.”

OET-LV SA2 5:23

23 And_ Dāvid _he _enquired by_YHWH and_he/it _said not you _must _go _up go _around to behind_them and_you _will _come to/for_them from_in _front _of the_balsam _trees.

OET-LV SA2 5:24

24 And_let _it _be in/on/at/with DOM the_sound _of marching in_the _tops _of the _balsam _trees then you _will _act _decisively if/because then YHWH he _has _gone _out to_your_face to_attack (in)_the_camp _of the_Pəlishtiy.

Show passage in OET: CH1 14:14–15

OET-RV CH1 14:14

14 and David asked God’s advice again. “Don’t go uphill after them,” God said, “but circle around them and confront them in front of the balsam trees.

OET-RV CH1 14:15

15 When you hear the sound of the marching in the tops of the balsam trees, that’s when you should attack, because God will have gone out ahead of you to strike down the Pelishti army.”

OET-LV CH1 14:14

14 And_he _enquired again Dāvid by_god and_he/it _said to_him/it the_ʼElohīm not you _must _go _up after_them go _around from_on_them and_you _will _come to/for_them from_in _front _of the _balsam_trees.

OET-LV CH1 14:15

15 And_let _it _be just_as_you _hear DOM the _sound _of (the)_marching in_the _tops _of the _balsam _trees then you _will _go _out in_battle if/because the_ʼElohīm he _has _gone _out to_your_face to_attack DOM the _camp _of the_Pəlishtiy.

Show passage in OET: PSA 84:1–12

OET-RV PSA 84:1

84 How lovely is the place where you live,
⇔ Commander-in-chief Yahweh.

OET-RV PSA 84:2

2 I long to be in Yahweh’s temple courtyards—my desire for them has made me exhausted.
⇔ My heart and all of my being call out to the living God.

OET-RV PSA 84:3

3 Even the sparrow has found herself a house,
⇔ ≈ and the swallow a nest for herself where she may lay her young
⇔ near your altars, Commander-in-chief Yahweh, my King, and my god.

OET-RV PSA 84:4

4 Blessed are they who live in your house;
⇔ They praise you continually. (Instrumental break.)

OET-RV PSA 84:5

5 Blessed is the person who trusts you for their strength—
⇔ who thinks about how to travel to Mt. Tsiyon (Zion).

OET-RV PSA 84:6

6 Passing through the Valley of Tears, they find springs of water to drink.
⇔ The early rains cover it with blessings.

OET-RV PSA 84:7

7 They go from strength to strength.
⇔ Every one of them appears before God in Tsiyon.

OET-RV PSA 84:8

8 Commander-in-chief God Yahweh, hear my prayer.
⇔ ≈ God of Ya’akov (Jacob), listen to what I’m saying. (Instrumental break.)

OET-RV PSA 84:9

9 God, watch over our defender.
⇔ Show concern for your anointed one.

OET-RV PSA 84:10

10 Yes, one day in your courtyards is better than a thousand elsewhere.
⇔ I would rather be a doorkeeper in my god’s house,
⇔ than to live in the tents of the wicked,

OET-RV PSA 84:11

11 because Yahweh God is our sun and shield.
⇔ Yahweh will give grace and glory.
⇔ He doesn’t withhold any good thing from those who walk in integrity.

OET-RV PSA 84:12

12 Commander-in-chief Yahweh,
⇔ blessed is the person who trusts in you.

OET-LV PSA 84:2

2  How lovely dwelling _place(s)_of_are_your Oh_YHWH soldiers/messengers.

OET-LV PSA 84:3

3  It _has _longed and_also it _is _exhausted being _of_my for_the _courts _of YHWH heart _of_my and_flesh _of_my they _shout _for _joy to god living.

OET-LV PSA 84:4

4  Also a _bird it _has _found a _home and_a _swallow a _nest to/for_her/it which it _has _put ones _of_its _young with altars _of_your Oh_YHWH soldiers/messengers king _of_my and_god _of_my.

OET-LV PSA 84:5

5  How _blessed are _those _who_dwell _of your _house _of_your still they_praise _you Şelāh.

OET-LV PSA 84:6

6  How _blessed is_a _person who_strength to_him/it in_you who_highways are_in_heart _of_their.

OET-LV PSA 84:7

7  Those _who_pass _of in_the _valley _of (the)_Baca a _spring they_make _it also blessings early _rain it _covers_it.

OET-LV PSA 84:8

8  They _go from_strength to strength he _presents _himself to god in_Tsiyyōn/(Zion).

OET-LV PSA 84:9

9  Oh_YHWH god soldiers/messengers hear prayer _of_my give_ear Oh _god _of Yaˊₐqoⱱ/(Jacob) Şelāh.

OET-LV PSA 84:10

10  Shield _of_our look _at Oh _god and_pay _attention _to the _face _of your _anointed.

OET-LV PSA 84:11

11  If/because is_good a _day in_courts _of_your more_than _a _thousand I _have _chosen to _stand _at _the _threshold in_house _of my _god _of_my more_than _to _dwell in_the_tents _of wickedness.

OET-LV PSA 84:12

12  If/because is_a _sun and_a _shield YHWH god favour and_honour YHWH he _gives not he _withholds good to_who_walk in_blamelessness.

OET-LV PSA 84:13

13  Oh_YHWH soldiers/messengers how _blessed is_anyone who_trusts on/over_you(fs).

Jump to OET PSA 84:6 section.

Jump to OET SA2 5:23–24 section.

Jump to OET CH1 14:14–15 section.

Jump to OET PSA 84:1–12 section.

Some scholars think the valley was a specific place located near Jerusalem and the valley of Rephaim. If so, it could have been associated with weeping because (1) balsam or other trees in the valley exuded resinous gum, like tears; (2) the path was difficult to follow; or (3) it was a dreary place where waters seeped out of “weeping” rocks.

Tyndale Open Bible Dictionary