Bible Encyclopedia: Pomegranate

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International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

POMEGRANATE

pom'-gran-at, pom-gran'-at, pum'-gran-at (rimmon (tree and fruit); the Hebrew name is similar to the Arabic, Aramaic and Ethiopic; rhoa):

1. A Tree Characteristic of Palestine: One of the most attractive and most characteristic of the fruit trees of Syria, probably indigenous to Persia, Afghanistan and the neighborhood of the Caucasus, but introduced to Palestine in very ancient times. The spies brought specimens of figs and pomegranates, along with grapes, from the Vale of Eshcol (Numbers 13:23). Vines, figs and pomegranates are mentioned (Numbers 20:5) as fruits the Israelites missed in the wilderness; the promised land was to be one "of wheat and barley, and vines and fig-trees and pomegranates" (Deuteronomy 8:8), a promise renewed in Haggai 2:19. In the lamentation in Joel 1:11, 12 we have the pomegranate, the palm tree and the apple tree represented as withered, "for joy is withered away from the sons of men."

2. The Fruit:

The pomegranate tree, Punica granatum (Natural Order, Granateae) occurs usually as a shrub or small tree 10-15 ft. high, and is distinguished by its fresh green, oval leaves, which fall in winter, and its brilliant scarlet blossoms (compare Songs 7:12). The beauty of an orchard of pomegranates is referred to in Songs 4:13. The fruit which is ripe about September is apple-shaped, yellow-brown with a blush of red, and is surmounted by a crown-like hard calyx; on breaking the hard rind, the white or pinkish, translucent fruits are seen tightly packed together inside. The juicy seeds are sometimes sweet and sometimes somewhat acid, and need sugar for eating. The juice expressed from the seeds is made into a kind of syrup for flavoring drinks, and in ancient days was made into wine: "I would cause thee to drink of spiced wine, of the juice (margin "sweet wine") of my pomegranate" (Songs 8:2). The beauty of a cut section of pomegranate-or one burst open naturally, when fully ripe-may have given rise to the comparison in Songs 4:3; Songs 6:7: "Thy temples are like a piece of a pomegranate." The rind of the pomegranate contains a very high percentage of tannic acid, and is employed both as a medicine and for tanning, particularly in making genuine morocco leather.

Whether the pomegranate tree in Migron under which Saul is said (1 Samuel 14:2) to have abode with his 600 men was really a tree or a place, Rimmon, is doubtful.

See RIMMON.

3. The Pomegranate in Art:

A large number of references to the pomegranate are to the use of the form of the fruit in ornamentation, in which respect it appears among the Hebrews to have something of the position of the lotus bud as a decorative motive in Egypt. It was embroidered in many colors on the skirts of Aaron's garments, together with golden bells (Exodus 28:33; Exodus 39:24-26 compare Ecclesiasticus 45:9). Hiram of Tyre introduced the pomegranate into his brass work ornamentation in the temple: "So he made the pillars; and there were two rows round about upon the one network, to cover the capitals that were upon the top of the pillars" (margin "So the Syriac The Hebrew has `pomegranates' ") (1 Kings 7:18). "And the pomegranates were two hundred, in rows round about upon the other capital" (1 Kings 7:20 compare also Psalm 7:42; 2 Kings 25:17; 2 Chronicles 3:16; 4:13).

E. W. G. Masterman

Strong's Hebrew

7416. rimmon -- a pomegranate
... 7415, 7416. rimmon or rimmon. 7417 . a pomegranate. Transliteration: rimmon
or rimmon Phonetic Spelling: (rim-mone') Short Definition: pomegranates. ...
/hebrew/7416.htm - 6k

5884. En Rimmon -- "spring of a pomegranate," a place in Judah
... En Rimmon. 5885 . "spring of a pomegranate," a place in Judah. Transliteration:
En Rimmon Phonetic Spelling: (ane rim-mone') Short Definition: En-rimmon. ...
/hebrew/5884.htm - 6k

7428. Rimmon Parets -- "pomegranate of the breach," a place in the ...
... "pomegranate of the breach," a place in the desert. Transliteration: Rimmon Parets
Phonetic Spelling: (rim-mone' peh'-rets) Short Definition: Rimmon-perez. ...
/hebrew/7428.htm - 6k

1667. Gath-rimmon -- "wine press of a pomegranate," two places in ...
... "wine press of a pomegranate," two places in Palestine. Transliteration: Gath-rimmon
Phonetic Spelling: (gath-rim-mone') Short Definition: Gath-rimmon. ...
/hebrew/1667.htm - 6k

Library

As the Rind of a Pomegranate are Thy Cheeks, Besides that which is ...
... CHAPTER VI. 6. As the rind of a pomegranate are thy cheeks, besides that
which is hidden within. As the rind of the pomegranate ...
//christianbookshelf.org/guyon/song of songs of solomon/6 as the rind of.htm

The Spiced Wine of My Pomegranate;
... THE SPICED WINE OF MY POMEGRANATE; OR, THE COMMUNION OF COMMUNICATION.
I would cause ... 1:16. THE SPICED WINE OF MY POMEGRANATE. THE ...
//christianbookshelf.org/spurgeon/till he come/the spiced wine of my.htm

The World is a Pomegranate Indeed
... THE SECOND CENTURY 96 The World is a pomegranate indeed. The World is a
pomegranate indeed, which God hath put into man's heart, as ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/traherne/centuries of meditations/96 the world is a.htm

Thy Lips are as a Scarlet Fillet; and Thy Speech is Sweet. Thy ...
... CHAPTER IV. 3. Thy lips are as a scarlet fillet; and thy speech is sweet. Thy cheeks
are like a piece of pomegranate, besides that which is hidden within. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/guyon/song of songs of solomon/3 thy lips are as.htm

Let us Get up Early to the vineyards; Let us See if the vine ...
... Let us get up early to the vineyards; let us see if the vine flourish, if the flowers
bring forth fruit, and the pomegranate has blossomed; there will I give ...
//christianbookshelf.org/guyon/song of songs of solomon/12 let us get up.htm

Concerning the Garments of the Priests, and of the High Priest.
... fringes, in color like pomegranates, with golden bells [13] by a curious and beautiful
contrivance; so that between two bells hangs a pomegranate, and between ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 7 concerning the garments.htm

The Invisible God Perceived through his Works.
... For as the pomegranate, with the rind containing it, has within it many cells and
compartments which are separated by tissues, and has also many seeds dwelling ...
/.../theophilus/theophilus to autolycus/chapter v the invisible god perceived.htm

Chapter iv.
... 3. Thy lips are like a thread of scarlet, and thy speech is comely; thy temples
are like a piece of a pomegranate within thy locks.3. Thy lips are as a scarlet ...
//christianbookshelf.org/guyon/song of songs of solomon/chapter iv.htm

Chapter vi.
... a flock of sheep which go up from the washing, whereof every one beareth twins,
and there is not one barren among them.5. 7. As a piece of pomegranate are thy ...
//christianbookshelf.org/guyon/song of songs of solomon/chapter vi.htm

Thy Plants are a Paradise of Pomegranates, with the Fruits of the ...
... the source of all, rendering thee useful to all, the Spirit of God will reveal Himself
by thee in various places, as we see the pomegranate (which represents ...
//christianbookshelf.org/guyon/song of songs of solomon/13 thy plants are a.htm

Smith's Bible Dictionary

Pomegranate

The pomegranate tree, Punicu granatum , derives its name from the Latin pomum granatum , "grained apple." The Romans gave it the name of Punica, as the tree was introduced from Carthage. It belongs to the natural order Myrtaceae (Myrtle), being, however, rather a tall bush than a tree, The foliage is dark green, the flowers are crimson, the fruit, which is about the size of art orange, is red when which in Palestine is about the middle of October. It contains a quantity of juice. Mention is made in (Solomon 8:2) of spiced wine of the juice of the pomegranate. The rind is used in the manufacture of morocco leather, and together with the bark is sometimes used medicinally. Mr. Royle (Kitto's Cyc., art "Rimmon") states that this tree is a native of Asia and is to be traced from Syria through Persia, even to the mountains of northern India. The pomegranate was early cultivated in Egypt; hence the complaint of the Israelites in the wilderness of Zin, (Numbers 20:5) this "is no place of figs, or of vines, or of pomegranates." Carved figures of the pomegranate adorned the tops of the pillars in Solomon's temple, (1 Kings 7:18,20) etc.; and worked representations of this fruit, in blue, purple and scarlet, ornamented the hem of the robe of the ephod. (Exodus 28:33,34)

ATS Bible Dictionary

Pomegranate

Grained apple, the Punica Granatum of Linnaeus; called also Malum Granatum, in French pomme granate, whence its English name. The tree grows wild in Persia and Syria, as generally in the south of Europe and north of Africa. It is low, with a straight stem, reddish bark, many and spreading branches, dark green lancet-formed leaves, and large and beautiful crimson blossoms. The fruit is of the size of an orange, of a tawny brown, with a thick astringent coat, containing an abundance of seeds, each enveloped in a distinct, very juicy, pink coat, whose flavor, in a wild state, is a pure and very strong acid; but in the cultivated plant, sweet and highly agreeable. The ripe pulp was eaten by itself or with a sprinkling of sugar; or its juice was made into a sherbet. The value of the fruit and the beauty of the flower made the pomegranate welcome in gardens, So 4:13 6:7,11 8:2 Joe 1:12. It was abundant in Palestine, Numbers 13:23 De 8:8. Artificial pomegranates were used as ornaments on the robe of the high priest, Exodus 28:33, and also as an architectural ornament, 1 Kings 7:18.

Easton's Bible Dictionary

I.e., "grained apple" (pomum granatum), Hebrews rimmon. Common in Egypt (Numbers 20:5) and Palestine (13:23; Deuteronomy 8:8). The Romans called it Punicum malum, i.e., Carthaginian apple, because they received it from Carthage. It belongs to the myrtle family of trees. The withering of the pomegranate tree is mentioned among the judgments of God (Joel 1:12). It is frequently mentioned in the Song of Solomon (Cant. 4:3, 13, etc.). The skirt of the high priest's blue robe and ephod was adorned with the representation of pomegranates, alternating with golden bells (Exodus 28:33, 34), as also were the "chapiters upon the two pillars" (1 Kings 7:20) which "stood before the house."

Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary

1. (n.) The fruit of the tree Punica Granatum; also, the tree itself (see Balaustine), which is native in the Orient, but is successfully cultivated in many warm countries, and as a house plant in colder climates. The fruit is as large as an orange, and has a hard rind containing many rather large seeds, each one separately covered with crimson, acid pulp.

2. (n.) A carved or embroidered ornament resembling a pomegranate.

Thesaurus

Pomegranate (11 Occurrences)
... The withering of the pomegranate tree is mentioned among the judgments of God (Joel
1:12). ... 2. (n.) A carved or embroidered ornament resembling a pomegranate. ...
/p/pomegranate.htm - 15k

Pomegranate-tree (2 Occurrences)
Pomegranate-tree. Pomegranates, Pomegranate-tree. Pomegranate-trees .
Multi-Version Concordance Pomegranate-tree (2 Occurrences). ...
/p/pomegranate-tree.htm - 7k

Pomegranate-trees (1 Occurrence)
Pomegranate-trees. Pomegranate-tree, Pomegranate-trees. Pommel .
Multi-Version Concordance Pomegranate-trees (1 Occurrence). ...
/p/pomegranate-trees.htm - 6k

Pomegranates (20 Occurrences)
... Exodus 28:34 a golden bell and a pomegranate, a golden bell and a pomegranate,
upon the skirts of the robe round about. (See NIV). ...
/p/pomegranates.htm - 13k

Rimmon (22 Occurrences)
...Pomegranate. ... Nehemiah 11:29) the two words are probably to be combined, as forming
together the name of one place, Ain-Rimmon=the spring of the pomegranate. ...
/r/rimmon.htm - 18k

Bell (3 Occurrences)
... (BBE). Exodus 28:34 a golden bell and a pomegranate, a golden bell and a pomegranate,
around the hem of the robe. (WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV). ...
/b/bell.htm - 10k

Skirts (23 Occurrences)
... Exodus 28:34 a golden bell and a pomegranate, a golden bell and a pomegranate, upon
the skirts of the robe round about. (See JPS ASV BBE DBY RSV). ...
/s/skirts.htm - 13k

Upper (99 Occurrences)
... Exodus 28:34 a bell of gold and a pomegranate, a bell of gold and a pomegranate
'are' on the hems of the upper robe round about. (YLT). ...
/u/upper.htm - 39k

Drink (414 Occurrences)
... The only fermented beverage other than grape-wine specifically named is
pomegranate-wine (Songs 8:2: "the juice of my pomegranate," the Revised Version, ...
/d/drink.htm - 45k

Strong (736 Occurrences)
... The only fermented beverage other than grape-wine specifically named is
pomegranate-wine (Songs 8:2: "the juice of my pomegranate," the Revised Version, ...
/s/strong.htm - 44k

Bible Concordance

Pomegranate (11 Occurrences)

Exodus 28:34 a golden bell and a pomegranate, a golden bell and a pomegranate, around the hem of the robe.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Exodus 39:26 a bell and a pomegranate, a bell and a pomegranate, around the skirts of the robe, to minister in, as Yahweh commanded Moses.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Numbers 20:5 Why have you made us to come up out of Egypt, to bring us in to this evil place? It is no place of seed, or of figs, or of vines, or of pomegranates; neither is there any water to drink."
(Root in WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Deuteronomy 8:8 a land of wheat and barley, and vines and fig trees and pomegranates; a land of olive trees and honey;
(Root in WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

1 Samuel 14:2 Saul abode in the uttermost part of Gibeah under the pomegranate tree which is in Migron: and the people who were with him were about six hundred men;
(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Song of Songs 4:3 Your lips are like scarlet thread. Your mouth is lovely. Your temples are like a piece of a pomegranate behind your veil.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Song of Songs 6:7 Your temples are like a piece of a pomegranate behind your veil.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Song of Songs 7:12 Let's go early up to the vineyards. Let's see whether the vine has budded, its blossom is open, and the pomegranates are in flower. There I will give you my love.
(Root in WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Song of Songs 8:2 I would lead you, bringing you into my mother's house, who would instruct me. I would have you drink spiced wine, of the juice of my pomegranate.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Joel 1:12 The vine has dried up, and the fig tree withered; the pomegranate tree, the palm tree also, and the apple tree, even all of the trees of the field are withered; for joy has withered away from the sons of men.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Haggai 2:19 Is the seed yet in the barn? Yes, the vine, the fig tree, the pomegranate, and the olive tree haven't brought forth. From this day will I bless you.'"
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Subtopics

Pomegranate

Pomegranate: Abounded in the Land of Canaan

Pomegranate: Brought by the Spies to Show the Fruitfulness of the Land of Canaan

Pomegranate: Carved on the Pillars of the Temple

Pomegranate: Figures of the Fruits of, Were Embroidered on the Ephod

Pomegranate: Wine Made of

Related Terms

Pomegranate-tree (2 Occurrences)

Pomegranate-trees (1 Occurrence)

Pomegranates (20 Occurrences)

Rimmon (22 Occurrences)