Genesis 43:11

43:11 Then their father Israel said to them, “If it must be so, then do this: Take some of the best products of the land in your bags, and take a gift down to the man – a little balm and a little honey, spices and myrrh, pistachios and almonds.

Jeremiah 8:22

8:22 There is still medicinal ointment available in Gilead!

There is still a physician there!

Why then have my dear people

not been restored to health?


tn Heb “balm.” The more familiar “ointment” has been used in the translation, supplemented with the adjective “medicinal.”

tn Heb “Is there no balm in Gilead? Is there no physician there?” In this context the questions are rhetorical and expect a positive answer, which is made explicit in the translation.

tn Heb “daughter of my people.” For the translation given here see 4:11 and the note on the phrase “dear people” there.

tn Or more clearly, “restored to spiritual health”; Heb “Why then has healing not come to my dear people?”