Albert Barnes Commentary Jeremiah 8:22

"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 (ASV)

No physician there—that is, in Gilead. Balm used to grow in Israel for the healing of the nations; her priests and prophets were the physicians.

Has Israel then no balm for herself? Is there no physician in her who can bind up her wound? Gilead was to Israel what Israel spiritually was to the whole world.

Why then is not the health ... recovered?—Or, “why then has no bandage,” or plaster of balsam, “been laid upon my people?”