בָּכָא
ba.kah
balsam
Lexicon Entry
Lexicon data from STEPBible TIPNR, Tyndale House, Cambridge. Licensed under CC BY 4.0.
What Original Readers Understood
ExploredThe Hebrew word "ba.kah" (H1057) is defined as "balsam." This term, used only four times in the Bible, highlights the significance of a valuable and highly prized substance in ancient Jewish culture. The word refers to a fragrant resin derived from the balsam tree, considered a luxury item due to its exclusivity and rarity. The value of balsam lies not only in its fragrance but also in its medical and spiritual properties, which made it highly sought after in ancient times. The limited occurrences of this word in the Bible may suggest its importance was primarily associated with trade and commerce, possibly indicating the value placed on luxury goods and the exclusivity of the balsam tree's range in the ancient world.
Source data & methodology
Occurrences in Scripture
4 total occurrences across the text
When David inquired of Yahweh, he said, “You shall not go up. Circle around behind them, and attack them in front of the mulberry trees.
2 Samuel 5:24When you hear the sound of marching in the tops of the mulberry trees, then stir yourself up; for then Yahweh has gone out before you to strike the army of the Philistines.”
1 Chronicles 14:14David inquired again of God; and God said to him, “You shall not go up after them. Turn away from them, and come on them opposite the mulberry trees.
1 Chronicles 14:15When you hear the sound of marching in the tops of the mulberry trees, then go out to battle; for God has gone out before you to strike the army of the Philistines.”