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."

the speaker’s desire to cure the raven of its inability to say anything other than “nevermore”
the speaker’s desire to cure himself from the pain caused by Lenore’s death
the speaker’s desire to bring Lenore back to life
the speaker’s desire to cure himself from his mental illness and hallucinations

Answer 1

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

Answer 2

B. The speaker’s desire to cure himself from the pain caused by Lenore’s death

The balm in Gilead is a resign that was said to be used for medicinal purposes. It was also said to be very good at helping pain. So, based on this passage we can infer that the speaker wishes to use the resign to help cure the pain of Lenore's untimely death.

Hope this helped. Have a great day!