POMEGRANATE ( rimmôn , Arah. rummân ). Tree and fruit ( Exodus 28:33 f., Exodus 39:24-26 , Numbers 13:23; Numbers 20:5 , Deuteronomy 8:8 , 1 Samuel 14:2; 1 Samuel 14:1 k 7:18, 20, 42, 2 Kings 25:17 , 2Ch 3:16; 2 Chronicles 4:13 , Song of Solomon 4:3; Song of Solomon 4:13; Song of Solomon 6:7; Song of Solomon 7:12; Song of Solomon 8:2 , Jeremiah 52:22 f., Joel 1:12 , Haggai 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 ( 1 Samuel 14:2 ); it was much admired for its beauty ( Song of Solomon 4:3; Song of Solomon 6:11 ), and its flower was copied in ornamentation ( Exodus 28:33 , 1 Kings 7:13 ). Its dark green leaves and brilliant scarlet blossom make it a peculiarly attractive object, especially when growing in orchards ( Song of Solomon 4:13 ), mixed with trees of other shades of green; its buds develop with the tender grapes ( Song of Solomon 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.