King James Version

What Does Jeremiah 46:11 Mean?

Jeremiah 46:11 in the King James Version says “Go up into Gilead, and take balm, O virgin, the daughter of Egypt: in vain shalt thou use many medicines; for thou shalt...” — study this verse from Jeremiah chapter 46 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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. thou shalt: Heb. no cure shall be unto thee”

Jeremiah 46:11 · KJV

Context

9

Come up, ye horses; and rage, ye chariots; and let the mighty men come forth; the Ethiopians and the Libyans, that handle the shield; and the Lydians, that handle and bend the bow. the Ethiopians: Heb. Cush the Libyans: Heb. Put

10

For this is the day of the Lord GOD of hosts, a day of vengeance, that he may avenge him of his adversaries: and the sword shall devour, and it shall be satiate and made drunk with their blood: for the Lord GOD of hosts hath a sacrifice in the north country by the river Euphrates.

11

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. thou shalt: Heb. no cure shall be unto thee

12

The nations have heard of thy shame, and thy cry hath filled the land: for the mighty man hath stumbled against the mighty, and they are fallen both together.

13

The word that the LORD spake to Jeremiah the prophet, how Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon should come and smite the land of Egypt.

Read Jeremiah 46 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Go up into Gilead, and take balm, O virgin, the daughter of Egypt—The bitter irony intensifies as Jeremiah prescribes medicine for a mortal wound. Gilead's balm (tsori, צֳרִי), a resinous healing substance exported throughout the ancient world (Genesis 37:25), symbolizes therapeutic hope. Yet the diagnosis is devastating: in vain shalt thou use many medicines; for thou shalt not be cured. The Hebrew teruphot (תְּרֻפוֹת, "medicines") and te'aleh arukah (תְּעָלֶה־אֲרֻכָה, "shalt not be cured/healed") declare Egypt's wound fatal.

The address O virgin, the daughter of Egypt (betulah bat-Mitsrayim, בְּתוּלַת בַּת־מִצְרָיִם) uses ironic tenderness for a nation about to be violated by conquest. Egypt considered itself inviolable, yet would suffer the shame of defeat. Spiritually, this pictures humanity's attempt to heal sin's wound through human remedies—religion, morality, philosophy—all insufficient without God's intervention. Only Christ, the true physician, heals what human medicine cannot touch (Luke 5:31-32). The New Testament echoes this imagery: no human remedy cures sin's disease; only Christ's blood brings healing (1 Peter 2:24).

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Historical & Cultural Context

Gilead, east of the Jordan River, was famous for medicinal balm production. Jeremiah himself used this imagery regarding Judah's incurable wound (Jeremiah 8:22, 46:11). Egypt's defeat at Carchemish (605 BC) was indeed mortal to its imperial ambitions—though Egypt survived as a nation, it never again dominated the ancient Near East. Nebuchadnezzar's later invasion of Egypt (568 BC, predicted in vv. 13-26) confirmed the wound's fatal nature.

Reflection Questions

  1. What 'balms' do people seek today to heal spiritual wounds that only God can cure?
  2. How does recognizing our wound as incurable apart from Christ lead to genuine repentance?
  3. What does Egypt's incurable wound teach about the consequences of pride and self-reliance?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 13 words
עֲלִ֤י1 of 13

“Go up”

H5927

to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative

גִלְעָד֙2 of 13

“into Gilead”

H1568

gilad, a region east of the jordan; also the name of three israelites

וּקְחִ֣י3 of 13

“and take”

H3947

to take (in the widest variety of applications)

צֳרִ֔י4 of 13

“balm”

H6875

distillation, i.e., balsam

בְּתוּלַ֖ת5 of 13

“O virgin”

H1330

a virgin (from her privacy); sometimes (by continuation) a bride; also (figuratively) a city or state

בַּת6 of 13

“the daughter”

H1323

a daughter (used in the same wide sense as other terms of relationship, literally and figuratively)

מִצְרָ֑יִם7 of 13

“of Egypt”

H4714

mitsrajim, i.e., upper and lower egypt

לַשָּׁוְא֙8 of 13

“in vain”

H7723

evil (as destructive), literally (ruin) or morally (especially guile); figuratively idolatry (as false, subjective), uselessness (as deceptive, object

הִרְבֵּ֣יתי9 of 13

“shalt thou use many”

H7235

to increase (in whatever respect)

רְפֻא֔וֹת10 of 13

“medicines”

H7499

a medicament

תְּעָלָ֖ה11 of 13

“for thou shalt not be cured”

H8585

a bandage or plaster (as placed upon a wound)

אֵ֥ין12 of 13
H369

a nonentity; generally used as a negative particle

לָֽךְ׃13 of 13
H0

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Jeremiah. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Jeremiah 46:11 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Jeremiah 46:11 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Jeremiah 8:22Micah 1:9Isaiah 47:1Jeremiah 14:17Luke 8:43-44Nahum 3:19

Places in This Verse

EgyptRegion · Modern: Ain Shams · 30.13°N, 31.31°E658 verses across 33 books
Gilead 1Region · Modern: Tell edh Dhahab esh Sherqiyeh · 32.19°N, 35.69°E86 verses across 21 books
View all places in Jeremiah 46 →

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