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POMEGRANATE (rimmôn, Arah. rummân).—Tree and fruit (Exo_28:33 f., Exo_39:24-26, Num_13:23; Num_20:5, Deu_8:8, 1Sa_14:2; 1Sa_14:1 k 7:18, 20, 42, 2Ki_25:17, 2Ch_3:16; 2Ch_4:13, Son_4:3; Son_4:13; Son_6:7; Son_7:12; Son_8:2, Jer_52:22 f., Joe_1:12, Hag_2:19). The pomegranate (Punica granatum) is one of the familiar fruit trees of the OT; it is usually a shrub, hut may attain the height of a tree (1Sa_14:2); it was much admired for its beauty (Son_4:3; Son_6:11), and its flower was copied in ornamentation (Exo_28:33, 1Ki_7:13). Its dark green leaves and brilliant scarlet blossom make it a peculiarly attractive object, especially when growing in orchards (Son_4:13), mixed with trees of other shades of green; its buds develop with the tender grapes (Son_7:12), and the round, reddish fruit, with its hrilliant crimson, juicy seeds, ripens at the time of the vintage. The fruit is a favourite food, and the hark a valued astringent medicine.
E. W. G. Masterman.