Pomegranates

by HYLAND, D. T. | Category: General | Jul 1985

TREES are vital to the economies of many countries, being a valuable resource. The pomegranate is a smallish tree with deep green leaves and a scarlet flower which grows wild in some eastern countries. It is also widely cultivated. It is not native to Israel, but after its introduction, it became quite common there.

The Hebrew word is rimmon, and several places in Israel bore the name, probably indicating that the tree grew in profusion in those areas. Examples are: Rimmon (Josh. 15:32), Gath-rimmon (Josh. 19:45), En-rimmon (Neh. 11:29).

Pomegranates must have been grown in Egypt during the captivity ,because the Israelites lamented their absence when they were in the wilderness of Zin. When God was bringing Israel into the land He had promised their forebears, He described it as "A land of wheat and barley, and vines and fig trees and pomegranates; a land of oil olives and honey"(Deut'. 8:8).

The pulp of the pomegranate has been used by eastern peoples since the days of Solomon for making cooling drinks (Song of Songs 8:2).

The priests of Israel wore distinctive clothing when they engaged in the service of God. But the greater glory and beauty was in the clothing of the High Priest. The High Priest wore a garment called the ephod which covered the front and back of his body. It was made of linen with gold, blue, purple and scarlet. Beneath the ephod Aaron wore a robe of blue. Attached to the hem of this blue robe were golden bells. Between the bells hung pomegranates embroidered in blue, purple and scarlet (Ex. 28:31-35). When Aaron went into the holy place, the sound of tinkling golden bells could be heard. The listening people would know that he had not perished in the presence of Deity, and be thankful that the offering presented on their behalf had been accepted by God. The silent testimony of the equal number of pomegranates was as necessary as the sound of the golden bells. The one complemented the other. The significance of this is aptly summed up in the expository note which appears on the back of the "Golden Bells and Pomegranates" calendar: "God requires of His servants precious fruit as well as melodious sound. There should be an equal balance, practice and profession, character and testimony".

The fruits and flowers of the pomegranate were used as models for decorating the pillars of Solomon's Temple (1 Kings 7:41,42).

HYLAND, D. T. | Jul 1985
General