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The pomegranate is a very unusual fruit often referred to in the Bible. The "grains" are many ruby-colored seeds. These seeds are covered with a thin skin and are full of juice. A refreshing delicacy, it is loved by those who dwell in a hot, thirsty land. The plant grows wild in Syria and Persia. It is a low growing shrub or small tree with a straight stem, reddish bark and plenty of spreading branches. The dark green leaves are highly polished and the pomegranate flowers are fleshy, coral red colored with crinkled petals. These petals have a fiery appearance and are quite brilliant.
When ripe, the fruit is about the size of an orange, has a thick jacket enveloping the pulp, is maroon in color and has many seeds. Syrup made from the pomegranate seeds is known as grenadine. The first sherbet was made from snow mixed with pomegranate juice. Apothecaries made an astringent medication for treatment of dysentery from the blossoms, which are known as balausts.
Other names for the pomegranate are malum granatum, and in French the name is pomme granate.
Three pomegranates are on the silver shekel of Jerusalem. It was in circulation from 143 to 135 BC. Hiram of Tyre used the pomegranate in building Solomon's temple (I Kings 7:18, 20). The ephod of the high priest was bordered at the hem with pomegranates.
Pomegranate
pomegranate [POM-uh-gran-uht] Nature's most labor-intensive fruit is about the size of a large orange and has a thin, leathery skin that can range in color from red to pink-blushed yellow. Inside are hundreds of seeds packed in compartments that are separated by bitter, cream-colored membranes. Each tiny, edible seed is surrounded by a translucent, brilliant-red pulp that has a sparkling sweet-tart flavor. Pomegranates are grown throughout Asia, the Mediterranean countries and in California. In the United States they're available in October and November. Choose those that are heavy for their size and have a bright, fresh color and blemish-free skin. Refrigerate for up to 2 months or store in a cool, dark place for up to a month. To use, cut the pomegranate in half and pry out the pulp-encased seeds, removing any of the light-colored membrane that may adhere. Pomegranates can be eaten as fruit, used as a garnish on sweet and savory dishes or pressed to extract the juice. They're rich in potassium and contain a fair amount of vitamin C.
from THE FOOD LOVER'S COMPANION, 2nd edition, by Sharon Tyler Herbst, Barron's Educational Services, Inc.
Exodus 28:34 (KJV) A golden bell and a pomegranate, a golden bell and a pomegranate, upon the hem of the robe round about.
Exodus 39:26 (KJV) A bell and a pomegranate , a bell and a pomegranate , round about the hem of the robe to minister in; as the LORD commanded Moses.
1 Samuel 14:2 (KJV) And Saul tarried in the uttermost part of Gibeah under a pomegranate tree which is in Migron: and the people that were with him were about six hundred men;
Song of Songs 4:3 (KJV) 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.
Song of Songs 6:7 (KJV) As a piece of a pomegranate are thy temples within thy locks.
Song of Songs 8:2 (KJV) I would lead thee, and bring thee into my mother's house, who would instruct me: I would cause thee to drink of spiced wine of the juice of my pomegranate .
Joel 1:12 (KJV) The vine is dried up, and the fig tree languisheth; the pomegranate tree, the palm tree also, and the apple tree, even all the trees of the field, are withered: because joy is withered away from the sons of men.
Haggai 2:19 (KJV) Is the seed yet in the barn? yea, as yet the vine, and the fig tree, and the pomegranate, and the olive tree, hath not brought forth: from this day will I bless you.
Exodus 28:33 (KJV) And beneath upon the hem of it thou shalt make pomegranates of blue, and of purple, and of scarlet, round about the hem thereof; and bells of gold between them round about:
Exodus 39:24 (KJV) And they made upon the hems of the robe pomegranates of blue, and purple, and scarlet, and twined linen.
Exodus 39:25 (KJV) And they made bells of pure gold, and put the bells between the pomegranates upon the hem of the robe, round about between the pomegranates ;
Numbers 13:23 (KJV) And they came unto the brook of Eshcol, and cut down from thence a branch with one cluster of grapes, and they bare it between two upon a staff; and they brought of the pomegranates, and of the figs.
Numbers 20:5 (KJV) And wherefore have ye made us to come up out of Egypt, to bring us in unto 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.
Deuteronomy 8:8 (KJV) A land of wheat, and barley, and vines, and fig trees, and pomegranates; a land of oil olive, and honey;
1 Kings 7:20 (KJV) And the chapiters upon the two pillars had pomegranates also above, over against the belly which was by the network: and the pomegranates were two hundred in rows round about upon the other chapiter.
1 Kings 7:42 (KJV) And four hundred pomegranates for the two networks, even two rows of pomegranates for one network, to cover the two bowls of the chapiters that were upon the pillars;
2 Kings 25:17 (KJV) The height of the one pillar was eighteen cubits, and the chapiter upon it was brass: and the height of the chapiter three cubits; and the wreathen work, and pomegranates upon the chapiter round about, all of brass: and like unto these had the second pillar with wreathen work.
2 Chronicles 3:16 (KJV) And he made chains, as in the oracle, and put them on the heads of the pillars; and made an hundred pomegranates , and put them on the chains.
2 Chronicles 4:13 (KJV) And four hundred pomegranates on the two wreaths; two rows of pomegranates on each wreath, to cover the two pommels of the chapiters which were upon the pillars.
Song of Songs 4:13 (KJV) Thy plants are an orchard of pomegranates, with pleasant fruits; camphire, with spikenard,
Song of Songs 6:11 (KJV) I went down into the garden of nuts to see the fruits of the valley, and to see whether the vine flourished, and the pomegranates budded.
Song of Songs 7:12 (KJV) Let us get up early to the vineyards; let us see if the vine flourish, whether the tender grape appear, and the pomegranates bud forth: there will I give thee my loves.
Jeremiah 52:22 (KJV) And a chapiter of brass was upon it; and the height of one chapiter was five cubits, with network and pomegranates upon the chapiters round about, all of brass. The second pillar also and the pomegranates were like unto these.
Jeremiah 52:23 (KJV) And there were ninety and six pomegranates on a side; and all the pomegranates upon the network were an hundred round about.
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