Balsam of Mecca (or balsam of Gilead or balm of Gilead) is a resinous gum of the tree Commiphora gileadensis (syn. Commiphora opobalsamum), native to southern Arabia and also naturalized, in ancient and again in modern times, in Palestine. The resin was valued in medicine and perfume in ancient Greece and the Roman Empire. In Latin the resin was technically known as opobalsamum; the dried fruit was called carpobalsamum, and the wood xylobalsamum. Resin of a pine Insect trapped in resin. ... Natural gums are polysaccharides of natural origin, capable of causing a large viscosity increase in solution, even at small concentrations. ... The Arabian Peninsula The Arabian Peninsula is a mainly desert peninsula in Southwest Asia at the junction of Africa and Asia and an important part of the greater Middle East. ... The Holy Land or Palestine Showing not only the Old of Judea and Israel but also the 12 Tribes Distinctly, and Confirming Even the Diversity of the Locations of their Ancient Positions and Doing So as the Holy Scriptures Indicate, a geographic map from the studio of Tobiae Conradi Lotter... Ancient Greece is a period in Greek history that lasted for around one thousand years and was extinguished by the newly-powerful Christianity. ... The Roman Empire is the name given to both the imperial domain developed by the city-state of Rome and also the corresponding phase of that civilization, characterized by an autocratic form of government. ... Latin was the language originally spoken in the region around Rome called Latium. ...

When "balm" or "balsam" is mentioned in translations of the Bible this is probably the product that is intended. Its literary connection with Gilead comes from Genesis chapter 37 and from Jeremiah chapters 8 and 46 (quoted below). For other uses, see Bible (disambiguation). ... In the Bible, Gilead (גִּלְעָד Heap/mass of testimony/witness, Standard Hebrew Gilʿad, Tiberian Hebrew Gilʿāḏ) is the name of three persons and two geographic places. ... Genesis (Hebrew: , Greek: Γένεσις, having the meanings of birth, creation, cause, beginning, source and origin) is the first book of the Torah, the first book of the Tanakh and also the first book of the Christian Old Testament. ... Jeremiah Lamenting the Destruction of Jerusalem by Rembrandt van Rijn. ...

"Balm in Gilead" in literature, art, and popular culture

From the King James Version of the Bible: H:For other uses of King James Version, see King James Version (disambiguation). ...

"Go up into Gilead, and take balm, O virgin, the daughter of Egypt: in vain shalt thou use many medicines; for thou shalt not be cured." Jeremiah 46:11

"Is there no balm in Gilead; is there no physician there? Why then is not the health of the daughter of my people recovered? Jeremiah 8:22

"Balm of Gilead" is mentioned in Edgar Allan Poe's poem "The Raven". The character believes that the "balm of Gilead" can heal his broken heart, because he is lamenting for the death of his love, Lenore. Edgar Allan Poe (January 19, 1809 – October 7, 1849) was an American poet, short story writer, editor, critic and one of the leaders of the American Romantic Movement. ... Poetry (ancient Greek: poieo = create) is an art form in which human language is used for its aesthetic qualities in addition to, or instead of, its notional and semantic content. ... The Raven as illustrated by Gustave Doré. The Raven is a narrative poem by American writer and poet Edgar Allan Poe. ...

"There is a Balm in Gilead" is a well-known Negro spiritual. == Historical background on spiritual music Spirituals were often expressions of religious faith, although they may also have served as socio-political protests veiled as assimilation to white, American culture. ...

Balm in Gilead is a play by Lanford Wilson (1965) about various junkies, criminals, prostitutes and other street characters in a New York City diner. Balm in Gilead is a play by Lanford Wilson written in 1965. ... Nickname: Big Apple, City that never Sleeps, Gotham Location in the state of New York Coordinates: Country United States State New York Boroughs The Bronx Brooklyn Manhattan Queens Staten Island Settled 1613 Mayor Michael Bloomberg (R) Area    - City 1,214. ...

The phrase "There is balm in Gilead" also appears in a Roald Dahl short story, as words of consolation from one inmate of a mental asylum to another. Roald Dahl (IPA: ) (September 13, 1916 – November 23, 1990) was a Welsh novelist and short story author of Norwegian descent, famous as a writer for both children and adults. ...

External links

• The Columbia Encyclopedia, Sixth Edition. 2001-05.
• Balsam of Gilead

Bibliography

• Dalby, Andrew (2000), Dangerous Tastes: the story of spices, London: British Museum Press, ISBN 0714127205, especially pp. 33-35
• Dalby, Andrew (2003), Food in the ancient world from A to Z, London, New York: Routledge, ISBN 0415232597