Bible Dictionary
Gilead, Balm of
The balm of Gilead was a valuable medicinal oil or resin produced in the region of Gilead. Its famed healing properties made it a familiar biblical image of treatment and restoration.
Definition
The balm of Gilead was a valuable medicinal oil or resin produced from aromatic plants or trees in the region of Gilead. It was esteemed for its supposed healing qualities.
Biblical Usage
The balm is associated with the well-known biblical question about whether there is no balm in Gilead, making it a familiar image of treatment and healing.
Historical Background
Gilead produced spices and aromatic gums that were exported to Egypt and Tyre. The balm was probably obtained from a small evergreen tree by making an opening in its bark; the resin exuded only in small quantities.
Scripture References
Historical Bible Dictionaries
Easton's Bible Dictionary
The region of Gilead abounded in spices and aromatic gums, which were exported to Egypt and Tyre (Gen. 37:25; Jer. 8:22; 46:11; Ezek. 27:17). The word “balm” is a contracted form of “balsam,” a word derived from the Greek balsamon, which was adopted as the representative of the Hebrew words baal shemen, meaning “lord” or “chief of oils.” The Hebrew name of this balm was tsori. The tree yielding this medicinal oil was probably the Balsamodendron opobalsamum of botanists, and the Amyris opobalsamum of Linnaeus. It is an evergreen, rising to the height of about 14 feet. The oil or resin, exuding through an orifice made in its bark in very small quantities, is esteemed of great value for its supposed medicinal qualities. (See BALM.) It may be noted that Coverdale’s version reads in Jer. 8:22, “There is no triacle in Galaad.” The word “triacle” = “treacle” is used in the sense of ointment.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (ISBE)
<p>See BALM OF GILEAD.</p>