Pomegranate

The pomegranate (Hebrew rimmon) was one of the characteristic fruits of Canaan, listed among the seven species of the Promised Land (Deut. 8:8) and brought back by the spies as evidence of its fertility (Num. 13:23). It grew abundantly in Egypt (Num. 20:5) and throughout Palestine. The golden bells and pomegranates alternating around the hem of the high priest's robe (Ex. 28:33–34) gave it sacred significance in the tabernacle service. Carved pomegranates also decorated the capitals of the temple's great pillars (1 Kgs. 7:18, 20). In the Song of Solomon the pomegranate appears as an image of beauty (Song 4:3; 6:7) and refreshment (Song 8:2), representing the beloved's cheeks or the cup of spiced wine.