Question

In this excerpt from Edgar Allan Poe's "The Raven," what does the biblical reference to the healing “balm in Gilead” signify? "Prophet!" said I, "thing of evil!—prophet still, if bird or devil!— Whether Tempter sent, or whether tempest tossed thee here ashore, Desolate, yet all undaunted, on this desert land enchanted— On this home by Horror haunted—tell me truly, I implore— Is there—is there balm in Gilead?—tell me—tell me, I implore!" Quoth the Raven, "Nevermore."

Answer 1

In this excerpt from Edgar Allan Poe's "The Raven," what does the biblical reference to the healing “balm in Gilead” signify is:

The universal cure of their land which is greatly succumb to evil deeds. The term Balm of Gilead was rooted from William Tyndale's language of 1611 version of King James Bible. It comes from Gilead region where it got its name. 

Answer 2

b.)the speaker’s desire to cure himself from the pain caused by Lenore’s death