Jeremiah 8:22 Meaning and Explanation
“Is there no balm in Gilead; is there no physician there? why then is not the health of the daughter of my people recovered?”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →A final, heartbreaking question: is healing truly impossible for Jerusalem?
The Context of Jeremiah 8:22
Closing lament questioning why healing cannot reach Jerusalem.
What Does Jeremiah 8:22 Mean?
Gilead was famous in the ancient world as a source of medicinal balm—a symbol of healing power. Jeremiah asks the agonized question: if such healing exists anywhere, why can't it be applied to Jerusalem? The question carries hope and despair simultaneously, knowing what could be done but seeing it refused.
The answer, implied in all that precedes: not because healing is unavailable, but because the patient refuses the cure. Jerusalem will not repent. The physicians (prophets like Jeremiah) are present, but the nation will not heed their word. Some wounds go unhealed because the wounded choose to turn away from the only remedy.
Jeremiah 8:22 in the Original Language
tsori (צֹרִי), 'balm'—medicinal resin from Gilead, a metaphor for spiritual healing through repentance.
Frequently Asked Questions About Jeremiah 8:22
What does Jeremiah 8:22 mean?
A final, heartbreaking question: is healing truly impossible for Jerusalem?
What is the context of Jeremiah 8:22?
Closing lament questioning why healing cannot reach Jerusalem.