pomegranate Summary and Overview

i.e., "grained apple" (pomum granatum), Heb. rimmon. Common in Egypt (Num. 20:5) and Israel (13:23; Deut. 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 (Ex. 28:33,34), as also were the "chapiters upon the two pillars" (1 Kings 7:20) which "stood before the house."

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 Israel is about the middle of October. It contains a quantity of juice. Mention is made in #So 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, #Nu 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, #1Ki 7:18,20| etc.; and worked representations of this fruit, in blue, purple and scarlet, ornamented the hem of the robe of the ephod. #Ex 28:33,34|

POMEGRAN'ATE (pronounce pum-gran'nate). This word designates a large bush (Punica granatum) of the myrtle family, and its fruit. Our English name comes from the Latin, which means "grained apple," referring to the beautiful pink pips or grains which fill the interior. The pomegranate has been cultivated from early times in Syria, Num 13:23; Deut 8:8, and the warmer regions of the East. It rarely exceeds 10 feet in height, and has small lance-shaped, glossy leaves, of a reddish-green when young, but becoming pea-green and remaining alive through the winter. The flowers are of a brilliant scarlet or orange, and in August or September the fruit ripens. This is of the size of an orange, flattened at the ends like an apple, is of a beautiful brown-red color, Song 4:3; Song 6:7, has a hard rind, and is filled with pulp of a highly-grateful flavor. The abundant juice was made into wine. Zech 8:2, and used for a cooling drink. Some cultivated trees bear sweet fruit and some sour, while the wild pomegranates yield only a small and worthless apple. Rimmon, the Hebrew word for this fruit, gave name, in whole or in part, to several places in Palestine, near which the pomegranate was doubtless abundant. The Pomegranate. The bush of this kind under which Saul tarried must have been of unusual size. 1 Sam 14:2. "The graceful shape of the pomegranate was selected as one of the ornaments on the skirt of the high priest's blue robe and ephod, alternating with the chieftains, golden bells, Ex 28:33-34; Ex 39:24-26, and hence was adopted as one of the favorite devices in the decoration of Solomon's temple, being carved on the capitals of the pillars. 1 Kgs 7:18, etc. Whether the design was taken from the fruit or the flower, it would form a graceful ornament. We have frequently noticed the pomegranate sculptured on fragments of columns among the ruins of Oriental temples. "The Syrian deity Rimmon has been supposed by some to have been a personification of the pomegranate, as the emblem of the fructifying principle of nature, the fruit being sacred to Venus, who was worshipped under this title. Hadad-rimmon is mentioned in Zech 12:11, Hadad being the Sun-god of the Syrians; and when combined with the symbol of the pomegranate, he stands for the Sun-god, who ripened the fruits, and then, dying with the departing summer, is mourned 'with the mourning of Hadad-rimmon.' "- Tristram.

rimmon. The tree and the fruit. In Egypt (Numbers 20:5), and in Israel (Numbers 13:23; Deuteronomy 8:8). Rimmon, Gathrimmon, and En-rimmon, were called from the pomegranate. The cheeks (KJV "temples," i.e. the upper part of the cheek near the temples) of the bride are "like a piece of pomegranate within her locks" (Song of Solomon 4:3). When cut it displays seeds in rows, pellucid, like crystal, tinged with red. The church's blush of modesty is not on the surface but within, which Christ sees into (Song of Solomon 4:13). Her "plants are an orchard of pomegranates with pleasant fruits," not merely flowers (John 15:8); Song of Solomon 8:2, "spied wine of the juice of my pomegranate." The cup of betrothal He gave her at the last supper, the marriage cup shall be at His return (Matthew 26:29; Revelation 19:7-9). "Spices" are only introduced in the Song of Solomon when he is present, not in his absence. The pomegranate was carved on the tops of the pillars in Solomon's temple (1 Kings 7:18; 1 Kings 7:20), and on the hem of the robe of the ephod (Exodus 28:33-34). The fruit is surmounted with a crown-shaped (compare spiritually 2 Timothy 4:8; 1 Peter 5:4; James 1:12) calyx. The name is from pomum granatum "grained apple," called "Punic" by the Romans as they received it from Carthage. The rind abounds in tannin, which the Moors used in preparing "morocco" leather; the Cordovaners of Spain learned the art from the Moors; hence our word "cordwainers." The order is the Myrtacae; the foliage dark green, flowers crimson; the fruit (like an orange) ripens in October.