baca/mecca

[Details]

how did 'baca' come to be 'mecca?' i've heard it was a dialectual difference, but i've already learned enough about semetic languages and arabic to know; that doesnt make too much sense. so was there another reason?


thanks in advance.

[Ayah]

Hmm.. I always thought & understood that "Becca" was simply the old name for "Mecca." I dunno about the explanation for it though.

~Ayah

[.: Anna :.]

I never knew that.....I only knew Medina used to have a different name

[muslimcreed]

Baca Is Makkah

The Holy Ka3ba, which was built by Ibrahim (alayhis salam) and his son Ishmael (alayhis salam), is in Makkah. This name Makkah has been mentioned once in the Qur'an in Surah 48:24. Another name for Makkah is Bakkah, depending on the dialect of the tribe. This also has been mentioned once, in Surah 3:96: "Verily, the first House [of worship] appointed for mankind was that in Bakkah [Makkah], full of blessing, and guidance for all people." Amazing enough, this word Bakkah was mentioned by Prophet David in his Psalm 84:6: "Who passing through the valley of Baca make it a well, the rain also filleth the pools." The well here is the well known well of Zamzam, which is still present today and is located close to the Ka'bah.

It is very deep... Beautiful ... My husband discussed this once on paltalk and mashaAllah the kaffir who he gave da3wah to was like =O... may Allah swt guide him wherever he is now aameen

[marjan]

For Makkah (Mecca):
There are two thoughts about the name of the city. The first has it coming from Phoenician maqaq "ruined", suggesting that the site was home to a city that was destroyed in battle or by some cataclysm. The second derivation suggests that Mecca derives from Arabic mahrab "sanctuary", a reference to the town being an ancient site of worship which became popular in the 7th century as the birthplace of Muhammad (570?-632).

More:
- FOUNDING OF THE CITY: Indeed, Prophet Ibrahim Al-Khalil was the first person to build the Holy Ka'aba, whereas he putted boundaries of the sacred premises by guidance of the Jabra'il (peace be upon him) after he arrived in the city with his son Ismail and his wife as well. This happened in year 1892 A.D. The House was renewed by Prophet Ismail (peace be upon him) after his father Abraham (Ibrahim) (peace be upon him), then Adnan bun Adad, then Qusai bun Kilab, then Quraish and then the Holy Prophet (may the blessing and peace of Allah be upon him and his pure progeny). But before then, the House which people do visit for their pilgrimage was built by clay. This was before the flood, until the Almighty Allah made the place ready and prepared it for Prophet Ibrahim (peace be upon him) when he wanted to construct the House. The city was a passing way of the caravans as well as a business market. Mecca is named as Mecca due to the fact that it removes the sinner from the city. It was also named as Bacca (because it gathers necks of the tyrants and break them) or it means crowd. This sacred city has other names, of those names are: Ummul Quraa, (means origin or source of the villages), Ummu Rahim (means where people do seek mercy for one another), Kuthi, (the word Kuthi is name of land in the city), An-Naasah, some said it Al-Bassah (means it destroys and kills he who become an atheist in that city), The Ancient House, The Land of Peace, Ma'aad, Al-Hatimah and others.

Not too sure this actually makes any sense but someone might get something out of it!
This seems really random and I'm not sure why but apparently Bacca or Becca means Mulberry bush!??

Yathrib Changed to Madinah....
Ü THE FOUNDING: Verily, establishment of this sacred city returns to remote epoch of a perished nations. Though, the ancient mention of it returns to the time of Al-Mu'ayineen, those their civilizations was flourished in the period between (1300 and 630 B.C.). The Holy Koran also has thought us in chapter Al-Ah'zab verse 13, that the name of the city was known as Yathrib, Yathrib was a name of a village which a group of Arabs settled in it during the ancient time. Thus history has mentioned that when people of Prophet (Nuh) Noah came out from the ship after the flood, the area became too narrow for them to live, knowing that Abil tribe was also among them, whereas their leader (Yathrib bun Abil) the fourth grandson of Nuh (Noah) abled to build city and then settle in it. Al-Amaleek also has settled in the same city after they sent Abliya tribe away from the city. Indeed, the named Yathrib was well known during the past time. This is because the name Yathrib has been found in an old history writings and designs. In order to reason this claim, we say, the city was mentioned in Ptolemy geography with the name of Yathrib. It has also came in As-Sabi'ah sculptures that, the word (Medinata) which means Aramaic language as ( Himaa) means Hotness. Then it was summarized and then became Al-Madian. Naming the city as Yathrib was not accepted by the Holy Prophet, simply because he insinuated the meaning of the word Yathrib and said the word means (blame and scolding), then he changed the name to Al-Medina. So after he honored the city with his immigration then it came known as Medinatu Rasul (means the city of the messenger) ( may the blessing and peace of Allah be upon him and his pure progeny). Thus the city is known with other names which Yaqut Al-Hamawi counted and found (29) names. Of those names are: Tayyibah, Taabah, Al-Miskinah, Al-Azraa'a, Al-Jaabirah, Al-Mahabbah, Al-Muhabbibah, Al-Mahburah, An-Najiya, Al-Mubarakah, Ad-Dar, Al-Imaan and etc.


Very difficult to find info... will continue trying, Insha'allah

[Details]

This seems really random and I'm not sure why but apparently Bacca or Becca means Mulberry bush!??

i think its more accurately translated as 'balsam' or 'weeping' ... biblically speaking 'balsam' is probably the right translation. and, relating to muslimcreeds remarks about David knowing of it, theres a very interesting verse in II Samuel 5:22-23

“Once more the Philistines came up and spread out in the Valley of Rephaim. So David inquired of YHWH, and He answered, ‘Do not go straight up, but circle around behind them and attack them in front of the balsam (baca in Hebrew) trees.’”

its the KJV version of the bible that mistranslates it as 'mulberry' ... why, i dunno! it could be something to do with them both having purple leaves and such?

so the bible and other documents of the era and area, are pretty clear about the baca of psalms being just south west of jerusalem and not the mecca of the quran. interestingly enough this is where Abraham set up his first stone alter to God. and the first 'House of God' (according to the bible of course)

heres an interesting coincedence that i just learned .... compare the arabic words baka and baha .. by just changing the kha to a ha ... the word takes on the meaning 'enclosed area'

thanks for the input, all :)

[reachin'out]

Originally posted by Details
i think its more accurately translated as 'balsam' or 'weeping' ... biblically speaking 'balsam' is probably the right translation. and, relating to muslimcreeds remarks about David knowing of it, theres a very interesting verse in II Samuel 5:22-23

its the KJV version of the bible that mistranslates it as 'mulberry' ... why, i dunno! it could be something to do with them both having purple leaves and such?

so the bible and other documents of the era and area, are pretty clear about the baca of psalms being just south west of jerusalem and not the mecca of the quran. interestingly enough this is where Abraham set up his first stone alter to God. and the first 'House of God' (according to the bible of course)

heres an interesting coincedence that i just learned .... compare the arabic words baka and baha .. by just changing the kha to a ha ... the word takes on the meaning 'enclosed area'

thanks for the input, all :)

Funnily enough, bakka is spelt with a kaf no a 'kha', and has a completely different shape (more like a lam) than either 'kha' or 'ha'. The enclosed area of baha usually contains deep water, and means (variously) bay, gulf , sea or ocean. An ocean actually encloses the land, in which case it would be encloser rather than enclosure.

Before you can say the Baca trees were just outside Jerusalem, you need to prove 'the valley of Rephaim' was just outside Jerusalem. Besides, baca trees being outside Jerusalem doesn't proclude them from being elsewhere (if the name Baca is derived from the name of the trees in the first place).

[Details]

Originally posted by reachin'out
...
Before you can say the Baca trees were just outside Jerusalem, you need to prove 'the valley of Rephaim' was just outside Jerusalem. Besides, baca trees being outside Jerusalem doesn't proclude them from being elsewhere (if the name Baca is derived from the name of the trees in the first place).

well, in the time of David, the philisitines made a sudden attack on hebron, causing David to retreat. His refuge was in Adullam/ 'Aid-el-ma (which is in the valley of elah on the old roman road) Now, elah means 'terebinth' or 'oak' (wadi sur ... there is a tree in that valley that is called 'terebinth of Wadi Sur,') Which starts to establish a pattern. ie valley of oak, valley of balsam. additionally there was the valley of acacia, which is today called wadi es-sunt.
The Philistines took up their position on the edge of the valley of rephaim, cutting off communication between bethleham and jerusalem. which brings us to 2 Sam. 23:15-17.

The philistines were there a second time, when David led his army to gibeon to attack from the philistines in the valley of rephaim from the south, chasing them to gezer (Tell el-Jezer, about 10 miles southwest of Beth-horon.)

Today the valley of rephaim is called wadi el-ward.

Psalm 84 describes the habiru/israelite pilgrimages to zion thru the valley.

all the bits and pieces fit in together perfectly, and the archeology of the region fits in too. none of this would make sense if these valleys were elsewhere. so what possible evidence is there to counter all this?

[Details]

Originally posted by marjan
...This happened in year 1892 A.D....


thankyou very much for your efforts marjan. you definitely provided the most useful information. but could you take another look at this date please? (i'm sure ya didnt mean AD ;) ) a precise date will be extremely helpful.

[reachin'out]

Originally posted by Details
well, in the time of David, the philisitines made a sudden attack on hebron, causing David to retreat. His refuge was in Adullam/ 'Aid-el-ma (which is in the valley of elah on the old roman road) Now, elah means 'terebinth' or 'oak' (wadi sur ... there is a tree in that valley that is called 'terebinth of Wadi Sur,') Which starts to establish a pattern. ie valley of oak, valley of balsam. additionally there was the valley of acacia, which is today called wadi es-sunt.
The Philistines took up their position on the edge of the valley of rephaim, cutting off communication between bethleham and jerusalem. which brings us to 2 Sam. 23:15-17.

The philistines were there a second time, when David led his army to gibeon to attack from the philistines in the valley of rephaim from the south, chasing them to gezer (Tell el-Jezer, about 10 miles southwest of Beth-horon.)

Today the valley of rephaim is called wadi el-ward.

Psalm 84 describes the habiru/israelite pilgrimages to zion thru the valley.

all the bits and pieces fit in together perfectly, and the archeology of the region fits in too. none of this would make sense if these valleys were elsewhere. so what possible evidence is there to counter all this?

Look, you are the expert on Biblical archeology here, so you know better than I. It's just when your speculation twists things that prods me into deflating your so 'knowledgeable' implication. It doesn't really matter if the valley of raphaim is outside Jerusalem. As I said before,

Besides, baca trees being outside Jerusalem doesn't proclude them from being elsewhere (if the name Baca is derived from the name of the trees in the first place).

[Details]

well ok then, we'll rule out the two being the same for now then.
There are two thoughts about the name of the city. The first has it coming from Phoenician maqaq "ruined", suggesting that the site was home to a city that was destroyed in battle or by some cataclysm. The second derivation suggests that Mecca derives from Arabic mahrab "sanctuary", a reference to the town being an ancient site of worship which became popular in the 7th century as the birthplace of Muhammad.
i thought this pretty interesting. i hadnt heard either of these, and are definitely worth exploring. especially the first one. i'm not so sure about the second one because of all the other places called mahrab, or at least including mahrab in their name. eg. mahrab bilquis. (the sanctuary in saba/yemen) altho that doesnt negate the possibility.

[Beyazid]

Produce your cause, saith the LORD; bring forth your strong reasons, saith the King of Jacob.

hoho :)

[AhmedSyed]

Psalms 84:5-6
5 Blessed is the man whose strength is in thee; in whose heart are the ways of them.
6 Who passing through the valley of Baca make it a well; the rain also filleth the pools.

Qur'an 3:96-97
96 The first House (of worship) appointed for men was that at Bakka full of blessing and of guidance for all kinds of beings:
97 In it are signs manifest; (for example) the Station of Abraham; whoever enters it attains security; pilgrimage thereto is a duty men owe to Allah those who can afford the journey; but if any deny faith Allah stands not in need of any of his creatures.

Genesis 21:17-21
17 And God heard the voice of the lad; and the angel of God called Hagar out of heaven, and said unto her, What aileth thee, Hagar? fear not; for God hath heard the voice of the lad where he is.
18 Arise, lift up the lad, and hold him in thine hand; for I will make him a great nation.
19 And God opened her eyes, and she saw a well of water; and she went, and filled the bottle with water, and gave the lad drink.
20 And God was with the lad; and he grew, and dwelt in the wilderness, and became an archer.
21 And he dwelt in the wilderness of Paran: and his mother took him a wife out of the land of Egypt.

[AhmedSyed]

Adding to what I posted, I suggest you take a look at Yusuf Ali's footnotes about Qur'an 3:96-97.

Where he makes clear that Bakka was indeed Baca.

[Details]

Originally posted by Beyazid
Produce your cause, saith the LORD; bring forth your strong reasons, saith the King of Jacob.

hoho :)

aye thats it!


Thanks Ahmed, i took a very good look at his commentaries, and others, before i started this thread.

[AhmedSyed]

Originally posted by Details
aye thats it!


Thanks Ahmed, i took a very good look at his commentaries, and others, before i started this thread.

So what is your thoughts on it Details?

[Beyazid]

Mac,
I'm still interested in getting some sources for the baca jerusalem claim. Books etc.

The normal argument regarding becca revolves around some people claiming that the becca in the bible is the Mecca. The christians refute this saying they are fundementally diffrent places and words. While some others say that the bible is discribing Mecca.

But i've never heard anyone claim mecca is not mecca before.

I've only ever heard this claim from the submitters. But they don't give sources. And they don't even agree amoungst themselfs. some pray in any direction they want.

So i'd be interested what sources you have.

[Ali_Khan]

Originally posted by Details
heres an interesting coincedence that i just learned .... compare the arabic words baka and baha .. by just changing the kha to a ha ... the word takes on the meaning 'enclosed area'

Interesting, thats another pointer to the baka of the bible being the meka of the quran because mekka is in an enclosed area, surrounded by mountains.

[Consider]

According to NAB :)

[Psalm 84:6]

6. Happy are those who find refuge in you, whose hearts are set on pilgrim roads.

7. As they pass through the Baca valley, they find spring water to drink. Also from pools the Lord provides water for those who lose their way.

[footnote: Jerusalem?]

- Pilgrim, baca, spring water to drink...

LOL, Mecca mate, where pilgrims go every year, and the blatantly obviously Zam Zam!!!

[Consider]

1) Genesis 21:17 to 21, tells us the location of a well, that supplied water for Hajar, when she was in her plight to feed her offspring (Ismael). This well is currently known as the Zam Zam and is located, right next to the Kaaba and till today it supplies water to the millions of visitors, who visit this place of security.


2) Isaiah 60:11-12, tells us that the gates of this place will never be shut day or night and this is indeed the case, worshippers fulfill their obligation 24 hours a day.


3) Psalms 84: 4-6, indicates that those who make pilgrimage to Baca are blessed. The Qur'an clearly confirms that Baca is the old name of Mecca.

It is also surprising to note that St.Paul's first action was to visit Arabia, after his conversion.

Further it is stated in Gospel of John Chapter 4 verse 19,

"Sir" the woman said, " I can see that you are prophet. (20) Our fathers worshipped on this mountain, but you jews claim that the place where we must worship is in Jerusalem

(21) Jesus declared "Believe me, woman, a time is coming when you will worship the Father neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem

This change of direction is further confirmed in the Qur'an and the Muslims were commanded to face the direction of Mecca at the time of Prophet Mohammad ( Peace be upon him)

[Details]

Originally posted by Beyazid
Mac,
I'm still interested in getting some sources for the baca jerusalem claim. Books etc.

The normal argument regarding becca revolves around some people claiming that the becca in the bible is the Mecca. The christians refute this saying they are fundementally diffrent places and words. While some others say that the bible is discribing Mecca.

But i've never heard anyone claim mecca is not mecca before.

I've only ever heard this claim from the submitters. But they don't give sources. And they don't even agree amoungst themselfs. some pray in any direction they want.

So i'd be interested what sources you have.
I'm not convinced one way or the other yet, to be frank. I think it is clear from my studies, that the biblical bacca, is not the one refered to in the quran. or, at the very least, not accurately referred to. Does this mean that mecca (KSA) was not at one time called bakka? no, it does not. It's still entirely possible. This would explain why the romans, the persians, the egyptians, sabians, or the hebrews never mention a place called 'mecca' One would think it would definitely be known to the traders of the region. but not one word of it. SO, perhaps it makes more sense if it had another name at one time.

In my readings and research, i havent come accross anyone looking for an old arab town named bakka. they were always looking for 'mecca' So, i think more research needs to be done.

Now, is it possible that the quran actually meant bacca in eretz yisrael? i've seen arguments suggesting this. but nothing conclusive. One thing that supports this idea tho, comes from the quran itself. Where it is stated, to the effect, that mohammed walked past the ruins of lot's town, daily. ( 37:133-138, cited as a verse revealed in mecca) Knowing that sodom and gamorrah were towns on the southern tip of the dead sea, it seems unlikely that someone from the mecca area would walk past them daily. It would be much more likely if those words were that of someone who lived in that region ... like the ishmaelites. Theres more information in the islamic history that seems to support this idea. And that is the placement of the quranic bacca on the road from medina to iraq. Theres no archeological evidence of ppl taking this kind of route, and in fact it seems just plain illogical. On the other hand, the route from medina, to the biblical bacca, to iraq, is supported. We know that Petra was one junction on that road.

Now, this argument poses all sorts of problems (mainly theologically.) So it cant be rushed into. Personally i find it much simpler to believe that the islamic accounts are correct, but are so far, just lacking the evidence to support it. I imagine archeological digs in the meccan region are even harder to come by than in yemen. but still, one only needs to find some historical document that refers to this mecca/bakka, and the debate would be basically resolved.


btw, it should be noted there are two other places historically called bacca. one in the sinai, and the other in galilee.

[Details]

I have just found one reference that may be referring to mecca. It was written by a greek named Strabo (born 63BCE.) He was a historian who wrote a series of books called 'geography' ... book 16 describes the geography of the arabian pensinsula.

In one part it describes a desert called 'the Debae' and a city there called 'Negrani' which is thought to be 'mecca'

other cities referred to and their supposed modern equivelant:
Asca [modern Al-Lith]
Athrula [modern Abha]
Marsiaba, belonging to the nation of the Rhammanitae, who were subjects of Ilasarus [in modern Yemen, east of modern San'a]
"Seven Wells" [modern Al-Qunfudhah]
Malothas [modern Jeddah]
Egra [modern Yanbu]

Does Negrani or Negrana ring any bells for anyone?

[reachin'out]

Couldn't find anything, except this treatease on nabataeans = arabs (http://nabataea.net/arabia.html) other than the article you mentioned (that is also reproduced in the link above as part of the treatise).

[Details]

i wonder if its anything to do with najran, near the yemeni border, instead of mecca. and then theres duba' to the north closer to the sanai....

[AhmedSyed]

Very good explanation of the Kaaba and its history

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Assalamu-alaikum wa rahamatullahi wa barakatuhu:

I was prompted to write something on this issue when someone argued me about the historicity of Ka'bah and Makkah. This led me to get back on my favourite past-time of browsing through the references. One of the brothers in Cambridge, UK, supplied me with some of the information on this issue and I worked on them.



Location Of Makkah

Makkah is at the intersection of latitude 21 to 25 degree north and longitude 39 to 49 degree east. It is set in a rugged landscape consisting mostly of solid granite, with rocks sometimes reaching 300 meters (1,000 feet) above see level.

Makkah is enclosed by the Valley of Abraham, which is surrounded by two nearby mountain ranges to the east, west and south. The northern range comprises the Al-Falaq and Qu'aqi'an mountains, while the southern range consists of Abu Hudaidah mountain to the west, Kuday to the south and Abu Qubais and Khindimah to the south-east.

There are three main entrances to Makkah: Al-Mu'allat (also known as Al-Hujûn), Al-Musfalah and Al-Shubaikah.

It is generally agreed that Al-Mu'allat includes all areas which are higher than the Haram and Al-Musfalah covers all areas that are lowers.

Ka'bah & Makkah In History

Edward Gibbon writes about the Ka'bah and its existence before the Christian era in his book:

..... of blind mythology of barbarians - of the local deities, of the stars, the air, and the earth, of their sex or titles, their attributes or subordination. Each tribe, each family, each independent warrier, created and changed the rites and the object of this fantastic worship; but the nation, in every age, has bowed to the religion as well as to the language of Mecca. The genuine antiquity of Caaba ascends beyond the Christian era: in describing the coast of the Red sea the Greek historian Diodorus has remarked, between the Thamudites and the Sabeans, a famous temple, whose superior sanctity was revered by all the Arabians; the linen of silken veil, which is annually renewed by the Turkish emperor, was first offered by the Homerites, who reigned seven hundred years before the time of Mohammad.[1]

Diodorus Siculus was a Greek historian of 1st century BC who wrote Bibliotheca Historica, a book describing various parts of the discovered world. The following lines are the English translation of Greek quoted by Gibbon from the book of Diodorus Siculus (Diodorus of Sicily) describing the 'temple' considered to be the the holiest in the whole of Arabia.

And a temple has been set-up there, which is very holy and exceedingly revered by all Arabians.[2]

It is interesting to know that Claudius Ptolemy of Alexandria, mathematician and astronomer, flourishing about a century after Pliny, undertook to make an atlas of the habitable world. He was not a descriptive geographer, and his book was intended to be no more than a commentary on his maps. He enumerated some hundred and fourteen cities or villages in Arabia Felix.

For example, Dumaetha, placed by Ptolemy just outside the northern boundary of Arabia Felix, must be the mediaeval Arabian Daumet, which is today the chief village of the great oasis of Jauf. Hejr, famous in the "times of ignorance" as the seat of a kingdom, and now Medayin Salih, is Ptolemy's Egra. His Thaim is Teima, now known for its inscriptions to have had temples and some sort of civilization as far back as 500 BC. It is the Tema of Job. In Lathrippa, placed inland from Iambia (Yambo), we recognize the Iathrippa of Stephan of Byzantium, the Yathrib of the early Arab traditions, now honoured as El Medina, the City of Cities.[3]

Apart from this a place called Macoraba is also shown which is identified as Mecca (please refer to the map facing page 17 of reference [3]). G E von Grunebaum says:

Mecca is mentioned by Ptolemy, and the name he gives it allows us to identify it as a South Arabian foundation created around a sanctuary.[4]

Makkah In The Scriptures

The Qur'ân talks about Bakkah (the older name of Makkah) being the first house of worship appointed for mankind. It also addresses this place as Umm ul-Qurâ i.e., Mother of the Settlements.

Verily, the first House (of worship) appointed for mankind was that at Bakkah (Makkah), full of blessing, and a guidance for Al-'Alamin (the mankind and jinns). In it are manifest signs (for example), the Maqam (place) of Ibrahim (Abraham); whosoever enters it, he attains security. And Hajj (pilgrimage to Makkah) to the House (Ka'bah) is a duty that mankind owes to Allah, those who can afford the expenses (for one's conveyance, provision and residence); and whoever disbelieves [i.e. denies Hajj (pilgrimage to Makkah), then he is a disbeliever of Allah], then Allah stands not in need of any of the 'Alamin (mankind and jinns). [Qur'ân 3:96-97]

The Bible also mentions about the valley of Baca in connection with the pilgrimage. Below is the quote from Psalms 84 (NIV):

1 How lovely is your dwelling place, O LORD Almighty!
2 My soul yearns, even faints, for the courts of the LORD; my heart and my flesh cry out for the living God.
3 Even the sparrow has found a home, and the swallow a nest for herself, where she may have her young-- a place near your altar, O LORD Almighty, my King and my God.
4 Blessed are those who dwell in your house; they are ever praising you.
5 Blessed are those whose strength is in you, who have set their hearts on pilgrimage.
6 As they pass through the Valley of Baca, they make it a place of springs; the autumn rains also cover it with pools.
7 They go from strength to strength, till each appears before God in Zion.
8 Hear my prayer, O LORD God Almighty; listen to me, O God of Jacob.
9 Look upon our shield, O God; look with favor on your anointed one.
10 Better is one day in your courts than a thousand elsewhere; I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of the wicked.
11 For the LORD God is a sun and shield; the LORD bestows favor and honor; no good thing does he withhold from those whose walk is blameless.
12 O LORD Almighty, blessed is the man who trusts in you.

The interpretation of the valley of Baca in the The Jewish Encylopedia is quite interesting, though it does not provide a complete evidence and leaves the reader with a suggestion. Below is the full quote.

Baca, The Valley Of: A valley mentioned in Psalms LXXXIV:7. Since it is there said that pilgrims transform the valley into a land of wells, an old translators gave to Baca, the meaning of a "valley of weeping"; but it signifies rather any valley lacking water. Support for this latter view is to be found in II Samuel V:23 et seq.; I Chronicles XIV:14 et seq., in which the plural form of the same word designates a tree similar to the balsam tree; and it was supposed that a dry valley could be named after this tree. Konig takes Baca from the Arabian Baka'a, and translates it "lack of streams". The Psalmist apparently has in mind a particular valley whose natural condition led him to adopt its name.[5]

The translation of Arabian Baka'a as "lack of stream" seems to throw some light on the nature of the valley before the appearance of the stream of Zam-Zam near Ka'bah which was a dry place with no vegetation whatsoever.

The Anchor Bible Dictionary does not throw any light on it, albeit, there are some suggestions in it too like the The Jewish Encylopedia. Below is the full quote.

Baca, The Valley Of (PLACE): [Hebrew 'emeq habakka'], The valley of Baca (Psalms 84:1) is either a historical place name or a symbolical expression for "deep sorrow". The first part of Psalms 84:6 seems to mean that by "passing through the experience of deep sorrow, righteous ones can make it the source of life." The Septuagint translated the phrase into Greek as "the valley of weeping". The word 'emeq "valley" has the root meaning of "deep", so the expression may mean "deep sorrow".

However, some have considered it as the "valley of the balsam tree" from the same word in plural form found in 2 Samuel 5:24. This is based on the assumption that baka may be a "gum-exuding [weeping] tree". Another possibility is that the word beka'im (plural of baka) may mean "weeping wall-rocks" in the valley of Rephaim on whose tops David and his troops were waiting for the coming of the Philistine army passing through the valley below (2 Samuel 5:24). It seems safe to seek the meaning of baka in relation to the dripping water, since we often find this word in the names related to rivers and wadis, such as Wadi al-Baka in the Sinaitic district and Baca on the wadi in the central Galilee area, W of Meroth. It is also possible to understand beka'im as the place of "weepings" of the Philistine army for their defeat by David. After all these considerations, the expression of "valley of baka" can best be taken as a symbolic expression "weeping" or "deep sorrow" which fits well in the context of Psalms 84:6.[6]

The interpretation of the valley of Baca as a "the valley of weeping" makes sense because of the distress which Hagar(P) underwent when she was left with Ishmael(P) in the barren desert with no means of living.

The two interpretations of Baca, viz., "lack of stream" and "the valley of weeping" appears to fit in the context of pilgrimage to Bakkah, the older name of Makkah where the Ka'bah is situated. Ka'bah has been a place of reverence by all Arabians before the Christian era as we have seen earlier.

And Allah knows best!

Islamic Awareness History Ka'bah As A Place Of Worship In The History




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References

[1] Edward Gibbon (Introduction by Christopher Dawson), Gibbon's Decline And Fall Of The Roman Empire, Volume V, Everyman's Library, London, pp. 223-224.

[2] Translated by C H Oldfather, Diodorus Of Sicily, Volume II, William Heinemann Ltd., London & Harvard University Press, Cambridge, Massachusetts, MCMXXXV, p. 217.

[3] D G Hogarth, The Penetration Of Arabia, Alston Rivers Limited, London, 1905, p. 18.

[4] G E Von Grunebaum, Classical Islam: A History 600-1258, George Allen & Unwin Limited, 1970, p. 19.

[5] The Jewish Encylopedia, Volume II, Funk & Wagnalls Company, MDCCCCII, p. 415.

[6] David Noel Freedman (Editor-in-Chief), The Anchor Bible Dictionary, Volume I, Doubleday, p. 566.

http://www.islamic-awareness.org/History/kaaba.html

[kheir]

Mecca old name in the bible...

When Prophit Abraham sent Haggar and her son... they dwelt in "paran" now the word paran comes from the word "farran" when means the 2 who ran away in the plural form of 2.... farran with time became paran as slang of the city of trans-writing of books... knowing that paran is the place where ishmail dwelt and kedar's nation inhabited.. we have to agree that it is Mecca today... as for the word Becca... many reasons why becca and now mecca in this forum you sumarized most of it ... if we read isaiah: 40 then isaiah:42 and isaiah 60.. you will understand and see clearly that coming of a rightious man from paran... from among the gentiles not the hebrew.....

another thing is the pilligrimage of Ezekiel describing exactly how people perform it in mecca... not only that.. he describes the Kaaba in its true parameter ... and the stone and so on.. any questions i will be glad to answer