Is There No Balm in Gilead? So the Arabic also [Gesenius]. THE BALM OF GILEAD JEREMIAH 8:22 I. No doubt, Gilead contained a balm of herbs and spices that served as a healing ointment. balm—balsam; to be applied to the wounds of my people. It abounded in Gilead, east of Jordan, where, in consequence, many "physicians" established themselves (Jer 46:11; 51:8; Ge 37:25; 43:11).health … recovered—The Hebrew is literally, "lengthening out … gone up"; hence, the long bandage applied to bind up a wound. (Jer. Brought into Judea first from Arabia Felix, by the queen of Sheba, in Solomon's time [Josephus, Antiquities, 8.2]. why then is not the health of the daughter of My … Jesus is truly the “balm of Gilead” for all the hurting people of the world. » Flatimes The Targum is, "Jeremiah the prophet said, perhaps there are no good works in me, that I should supplicate for the house of Israel; should I not desire the doctrine of Elijah the prophet, who was of Gilead, whose words were healing?''. Some render it "treacle", but very wrongly, since, as Calvin observes, that is a composition of many things, Is there no physician there? There is a balm in Gilead to heal the sin-sick soul” (refrain). Why then is there no recovery For the health of the daughter of my people? (Jer.). Is There No Balm in Gilead? rosin. *Gilead is a mountainous region east of the Jordan River in modern Jordan. or surgeon, anyone that heals wounds and bruises; very probably there were many such lived in Gilead, since it was a place where proper medicines were to be got and applied: this may be understood of prophets and teachers, who, in a moral and spiritual sense, are instruments of healing of men, by showing them their evil, calling them to repentance, and directing where to go for healing or pardon of sin; namely, to Christ, the alone physician, and to his precious blood, shed for the remission of sins. This shows the stupidity, sluggishness, and indolence of the people, and how inexcusable they were, as well as the prophet's great concern for their welfare; the want of means of deliverance, or non-attendance to them, or the failure of them. There is a balm in Gilead To make the wounded whole There’s power enough in heaven To cure the sin-sick soul. Is There No Balm In Gilead? Why then is not the health of the daughter of my people recovered?" But people don't ask, and here's why. Is there no physician in her who can bind up her wound? Jeremiah seemed hopeless, discouraged and depressed at the time. After the captivity, Israel took the Promised Land, and Gilead, on the west side of the Jordan, became part of their land. In whatever setting or arrangement, and whether it is sung by soloist, choir, or congregation, the message of "There Is a Balm in Gilead" is that regardless of circumstances, in Jesus there is a promise of healing, hope, and liberation. "Is there no balm in Gilead; is there no physician there? gone up; the like expression 2 Chronicles 24:13, the work was perfected; Heb. This … Matthew Poole's Commentary Gilead was eminent for balm, Genesis 43:11, taken for rosin or turpentine, which is a kind of more liquid rosin, and either flows or drops from certain trees of its own accord, or their juice flows from several holes pierced into them, as from the pine, cedar, cypress, or terebinth tree. Where are your medicines, your arms, your counsels, your confederates? (r) Meaning,that no man's help or means could save them: for in Gilead was precious balm, Jer 46:11 or else deriding the vain confidence of the people, who looked to their priests for help, who would have been the physicians of their soul, and dwelt at Gilead, Ho 6:8.