Pomegranate: i.e., "grained apple" (pomum granatum), Heb. rimmon. Common in Egypt
(Numbers 20:5) and Palestine
(Numbers 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
(The 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."
