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Bakkah (Arabic: بكة‎) is a place mentioned in surah 3:96 of the Qur'an. It is said to be the site of the first mosque, and therefore it is identified by some Muslims with the city of Mecca. Others also identify it with the Biblical "valley of Baca" from Psalm 84 (Hebrew: בך‎).

Contents 1 Bakkah and Mecca 1.1 Arguments for the identification of Bakkah with Mecca 1.2 Arguments against the identification of Bakkah with Mecca 2 Baca and Bakkah 2.1 Arguments for the identification of Baca with Bakkah or Mecca 2.2 These verses seems to refer to a journey, from place to place until they reach Zion 3 Bakkah and Jerusalem 3.1 Arguments for the identification of Bakkah with Jerusalem 4 References 5 External links 6 Sources

[edit] Bakkah and Mecca

Surah 3:96-97

Behold, the first Temple ever set up for mankind was indeed the one at Bakkah: rich in blessing, and a [source of] guidance unto all the worlds., Full of clear messages. [It is] the place whereon Abraham once stood; and whoever enters it finds peace. Hence, pilgrimage unto the Temple is a duty owed to God by all people who are able to undertake it. And as for those who deny the truth - verily, God does not stand in need of anything in all the worlds.

[edit] Arguments for the identification of Bakkah with Mecca

Bakkah is thought to be an older name for Mecca, as it is described as the location of the first mosque, which Islam teaches to be the Kaaba, and a home to Abraham, who, according to the Qur'an, built the Kabba with his son Ishmael. Many translations simply render Bakkah as Mecca, and the passage is cryptic if they are not the same city.

[edit] Arguments against the identification of Bakkah with Mecca

However, the name Bacca or Bakka is known by all Arabs as another name for Makka, it is not known or used anywhere else.

[edit] Baca and Bakkah

Psalm 84:5-7

Blessed are those whose strength is in you, who have set their hearts on pilgrimage.

As they pass through the Valley of Baca, they make it a place of springs; the autumn rains also cover it with pools.

They go from strength to strength, till each appears before God in Zion.

[edit] Arguments for the identification of Baca with Bakkah or Mecca

The names "Baca" and "Bakkah" are almost identical. If Bakkah is Mecca, then in accordance with Muslim beliefs that Mecca is God's select city. Also, in the Biblical Book of Isaiah, several passages provide descriptions of Zion, several of which, notably Isaiah 35:8-10, which states that the "unclean" will not enter the city, and 60:16-18, which describes its prosperity, bear striking resemblance to Mecca in Muslim eyes. Jews and Christians, who do not equate holiness with Islam, do not agree with this interpretation.

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

"The first House (of worship) appointed for men was that at Bakka full of blessing and of guidance for all kinds of beings: 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. (The Noble Quran, 3:96-97)"

[edit] These verses seems to refer to a journey, from place to place until they reach Zion

 “Blessed are those whose strength is in you,“ “who have set their hearts on pilgrimage.“ 

Makkah is a place of Pilgrimage, thousands make it every year-- Ar. hajj, Heb. mes-il-law'

  “As they pass through the Valley of Baca,“ 

Some Bible versions say “Valley of Tears/ Weeping”, this would make more sense since Ishmael and Hagar cried (baka’) to God for aid in the wilderness after Abraham left them in a deserted area. In Hebrew ‘tears’ is Baka’ and in Arabic Baka’ means to cry.

Another worthy note to look into is that many places named in the Bible are not necessarily found/ match or proven historically.

 “they make it a place of springs;“ “the autumn rains also cover it with pools.“ 

The great well Zamzam it’s actually a spring that sprang at the time of Ishmael and Hagar by an Angel after Hagar had ‘cried’ to God for aid.

 “The angel of the LORD found Hagar near a spring in the desert;   it was the spring that is beside the road to Shur.—Genesis 16:7“ 

 “They go from strength to strength,“ “till each appears before God in Zion.“ 

They have gone from place to place until they appear to God in Zion…after a long travel in the desert.

[edit] Bakkah and Jerusalem

[edit] Arguments for the identification of Bakkah with Jerusalem

• According to Islamic tradition, Abraham (and Ismail) raised the foundations of the Kaaba in Mecca.

• The 'Kaaba' of Mecca located at the base of a valley where it is prone to flash floods. This is not in-line with the purpose (defined in the Qur'an) of providing a sanctuary for the pilgrims. However, this practice is found in pagan sites such as in Negev.

[edit] References

[edit] External links

• Mecca & Baca Islamic site
• The Valley of Baca - Baca - is it Mecca?

[edit] Sources

• [1]

[2] Michael Avi-Yonah, A History of Israel and the Holy Land (2005)