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.
Go up into Gilead, and take balm - (note, Jeremiah 8:22) namely, for curing the wounds; but no medicine will avail, so desperate shall be the slaughter.
Virgin. Egypt is so called on account of her effeminate luxury, and as having never yet been brought under foreign yoke.
Thou shalt not be cured - literally, there shall be no cure for thee (Jeremiah 30:13; Ezekiel 30:21). Not that the kingdom of Egypt should cease to exist, but it should not recover its former strength: the blow should be irretrievable.