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Bible Encyclopedias
Pomegranate
The 1901 Jewish Encyclopedia
or A tree of the myrtle family. The pomegranate was carried into Egypt in very early historic times (comp. Numbers 20:5), and was also cultivated in Palestine, Assyria, and most of the countries bordering the Mediterranean. The spies brought pomegranates, grapes, and figs as signs of the fertility of Canaan (ib. 13:23). Several Biblical passages indicate that the pomegranate was among the common fruit-trees of the country (Deuteronomy 8:8; Joel 1:12; Haggai 2:19). A famous pomegranate-tree grew at Gibeah in the time of Saul (1 Samuel 14:2). Pomegranate-groves, as well as the beautiful flower of the tree, are mentioned in the Song of Solomon; and the fruit furnishes similes (Song of Solomon 4:3,13; 6:7,11; 7:13). The pomegranate was used in art. The two pillars, Jachin and Boaz, were ornamented with a representation of it (1 Kings 7:18); and pomegranates were embroidered on the garment of the high priest (Exodus 28:33).
Throughout the East the pomegranate is the symbol of luxuriant fertility and of life. Pomegranates are eaten raw, their acid juice being most refreshing (comp. Song of Solomon 4:3). They are also dried (comp. Ma'as. 1:6). The juice mixed with water is to-day a favorite drink in the East; in former times it was also prepared as a kind of wine (Song of Solomon 8:2; Pliny, "Hist. Naturalis," 14:19).
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Singer, Isidore, Ph.D, Projector and Managing Editor. Entry for 'Pomegranate'. 1901 The Jewish Encyclopedia. https://www.studylight.org/encyclopedias/eng/tje/p/pomegranate.html. 1901.
