Meanings
- uncountableA rare perfume produced in Gilead and used medicinally, mentioned in the Bible, sometimes thought to have derived from the plant Commiphora gileadensis, and sometimes from a terebinth tree in the genus Pistacia.
Synonyms: balm of Judea, balm of Mecca, balsam of Gilead, balsam of Judea, balsam of Mecca
- figurativelyuncountableA remedy believed to cure all disease; a panacea.
"Never mind the details," he said. "The plain fact's enough, and its Balm of Gilead. There's work for both of us."
1930, Sax Rohmer, The Day the World Ended, published 1969, page vi. 561 more example
The consummation of marriage involves the mightiest issues of life and is the most holy and sacred right recognized by man, and it is the Balm of Gilead for many ills. Masturbation or prostitution soon blight the brightest prospects a young man may have.
1920, B. G. Jefferis, J. L. Nichols, “The Advantages of Wedlock”, in Searchlights on Health - uncountableAny plant of the species Cedronella canariensis, family Lamiaceae, native to Macaronesia.
Synonyms & antonyms
nounA rare perfume produced in Gilead and used medicinally, mentioned in the Bible, sometimes thought to have derived from the plant Commiphora gileadensis, and sometimes from a terebinth tree in the genus Pistacia.
More synonyms by meaning
nounmedium-sized fir of northeastern North America; leaves smell of balsam when crushed; much used for pulpwood and Christmas trees
nounsmall evergreen tree of Africa and Asia; leaves have a strong aromatic odor when bruised
Synonym sets from Open English WordNet, CC BY 4.0.
Cite this entry
balm of Gilead. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 5, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/balm%20of%20Gilead
“balm of Gilead.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/balm%20of%20Gilead. Accessed November 5, 2026.
WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “balm of Gilead,” accessed November 5, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/balm%20of%20Gilead.
Source: balm of Gilead on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.