What is "balm of gilead"

Opobalsam \Op`o*bal"sam\, Opobalsamum \Op`o*bal"sa*mum\, n. [L. opobalsamum, Gr. ?; ? vegetable juice + ? balsam.] (Med.) The old name of the aromatic resinous juice of the Balsamodendron opobalsamum, now commonly called balm of Gilead. See under Balm.

1. n. medium-sized fir of northeastern North America; leaves smell of balsam when crushed; much used for pulpwood and Christmas trees [syn: balsam fir, Canada balsam, Abies balsamea]

2. a fragrant oleoresin

3. small evergreen tree of Africa and Asia; leaves have a strong aromatic odor when bruised [syn: Commiphora meccanensis]

Balm of Gilead was a rare perfume used medicinally, that was mentioned in the Bible, and named for the region of Gilead where it was produced. The expression stems from William Tyndale's language in the King James Bible of 1611, and has come to signify a universal cure in figurative speech. The tree or shrub producing the balm is commonly identified as Commiphora gileadensis, which is the plant that bleeds the Balsam of Mecca. Some botanical scholars have concluded that the actual source was a Terebinth tree in the genus Pistacia.

Balm of Gilead may refer to: