the Week of Proper 28 / Ordinary 33
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Bible Dictionaries
Pomegranate
Fausset's Bible Dictionary
or rimmon . The tree and the fruit. In Egypt (Numbers 20:5), and in Palestine (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 Μyrtacae; the foliage dark green, flowers crimson; the fruit (like an orange) ripens in October.
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Fausset, Andrew R. Entry for 'Pomegranate'. Fausset's Bible Dictionary. https://www.studylight.org/dictionaries/eng/fbd/p/pomegranate.html. 1949.
