balm of Gilead
Ancient healing resin
Balm of Gilead originally referred to a fragrant resin from trees in the ancient region of Gilead, prized for its medicinal and healing properties.
The phrase appears in the Bible, where the prophet Jeremiah asks, "Is there no balm in Gilead?" lamenting the lack of spiritual healing for his people.
From this biblical usage, balm of Gilead has become a figurative expression for any soothing remedy or source of comfort, especially for emotional or spiritual wounds.
After months of grief, her friend's kindness was a balm of Gilead.
- treeWoody perennial plant
- scentAirborne odor detected
- stickyApt to adhere
- terebinthResin-yielding Mediterranean tree
- myrrhFragrant gum from trees
tree resin · hyssop · cassia · frankincense · soothe · storax · spiritual healing · Jeremiah · Bible verse · Old Testament · benzoin · sandalwood · healing · medicinal plants · cedarwood · aroma · cinnamon · anointing oils
- Biblical imageryLamb of God, Good Shepherd, bread of life, light of the world, living water
- resin treespine, fir, spruce, cedar, juniper
- Bible plantsacacia, almond, almond blossom, almond tree, aloe
- sacred oilsholy oil, chrism, anointing oil, blessed oil, unction
- tree resinsbenzoin, storax, myrrh, frankincense, mastic
balm of Gileadsalt in the wound
Compounding existing pain
poison · venom · affliction · bane · scourge
balm of Gileaddespair
Total absence of hope
hopelessness · cold comfort · torment · anguish · desolation
balm of Gileadtorment
Severe prolonged suffering
anguish · agony · thorn in the side · heartache · affliction
balm, balms, balmy, balmier, balmiest, balsam, balsams, balsamic, embalm