בָּכָא
the weeping tree (some gum-distilling tree, perhaps the balsam)
Definition
The Hebrew noun בָּכָא (bâkâʼ) refers to a specific type of tree, likely one that exudes a sap or gum, giving it the name 'weeping tree.' In its four biblical occurrences, it is consistently associated with a sound or movement in the tree's tops, which serves as a divine signal for military action (2 Samuel 5:24; 1 Chronicles 14:15). While the exact species is uncertain, ancient translations and context suggest it could be a type of balsam or poplar. The King James Version translates it as 'mulberry tree,' reflecting one traditional interpretation.
Biblical Usage
This word is used exclusively in a military context within the historical books of Samuel and Chronicles. It appears in the parallel accounts of King David's battle against the Philistines in the Valley of Rephaim. God instructs David to wait for the sound of marching in the tops of the בָּכָא trees as the signal to attack, indicating the Lord Himself is going out before the army (2 Samuel 5:23-24; 1 Chronicles 14:14-15). The usage is highly specific and symbolic.
Etymology
בָּכָא is derived from the root בָּכָה (bākâ, H1056), meaning 'to weep, to cry.' The tree's name, 'weeping tree,' likely comes from its characteristic of dripping sap or gum, resembling tears. This is a common linguistic pattern where plants are named for their physical properties or behaviors.
Semantic Range
This word is theologically significant as it illustrates God's direct guidance in the affairs of His people. The sound in the בָּכָא trees was not a natural wind but a supernatural sign of Yahweh's presence marching out to fight for Israel (2 Samuel 5:24). It underscores themes of divine timing, obedience to God's specific instructions, and the truth that victory comes from the Lord. Understanding this Hebrew term enriches the passage by highlighting the tangible, yet unusual, method God used to communicate with David.
In the ancient Near East, certain trees were known for their valuable resins, like balsam, used in medicine, perfume, and incense. Identifying the exact tree is less critical than understanding its cultural role as a marker in the landscape. The specific instruction to listen for a sound in these particular trees would have been a clear, identifiable command to David's forces, differentiating this divine signal from ordinary forest noises.
עֵץ (ʿēṣ, H6086) — The generic Hebrew word for 'tree' or 'wood,' whereas בָּכָא specifies a particular type. שִׁקְמָה (shiqmâ, H8256) — The 'sycamore-fig' tree, another specific species common in the region, valued for its fruit rather than its sap.
Word Details
How this works
Hebrew definitions are from Brown-Driver-Briggs (1906) and Strong's Exhaustive Concordance (1890), both public domain. BDB was groundbreaking for its era but reflects 19th-century assumptions about Semitic etymology. Modern scholarship (HALOT, DCH) has revised many entries. Use these definitions as a starting point for exploration, not as the final word on a term's meaning in context.
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