KING JAMES BIBLE DICTIONARY

I.e., "grained apple" (pomum granatum), Heb. 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 (Song of Solomon 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."

A fruit.

Abounded in the land of Canaan
1 Samuel 14:2

Brought by the spies to show the fruitfulness of the land of Canaan
Numbers 13:23

Figures of the fruits of:

Embroidered on the ephod
Exodus 28:33-34; Exodus 39:24

Carved on the pillars of the temple
1 Kings 7:18; 1 Kings 7:20; 1 Kings 7:42; Jeremiah 52:22-23

Wine made of
Song of Solomon 8:2

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 Myrtace' (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 Isr'lites 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)

POMEGRAN'ATE, noun [Latin pomum, an apple, and granatum, grained. See Grain and Granate.]

1. The fruit of a tree belonging to the genus Punica. This fruit is as large as an orange, having a hard rind filled with a soft pulp and numerous seeds. It is of a reddish color.

2. The tree that produces pomegranates.

3. An ornament resembling a pomegranate on the robe and ephod of the Jewish high priest.

POMEGRANATE-TREE, noun The tree which produces pomegranates.