Across many cultures, the pomegranate is a symbol of fruitfulness and fertility. In this blog post, we'll explore the rich meaning behind the pomegranate and its appearances in the Scriptures.
The fruit
The pomegranate, believed to have originated in ancient Persia, has been cultivated for thousands of years and was an important part of the diet and culture in ancient Greece, Egypt, and Israel. Today, it remains a delicious addition to many Mediterranean and Oriental recipes, for both sweet and savory meals. Plus, it's full of vital vitamins and nutrients.
The pomegranate is a round fruit, about the size of an apple, with a slightly irregular shape, and has a little crown on top. Its skin can be deep red to reddish-brown, and sometimes it may have a yellow or green tinge. Inside, there are juicy red seeds called arils. Those are edible, and taste sweet, refreshing and tangy, like a mix of cranberries and red currants.
Biblical references and meanings
Soft and hard skills
You shall make on its hem pomegranates of violet, purple, and scarlet material all around on its hem, and bells of gold between them all around
Exodus 28:33 NASB
It is important to pay close attention to the first mention of something. In the Bible, pomegranates and gold bells are first mentioned in the description of the high-priestly garments in Exodus 28. The combination of pomegranates made of yarn and finely twisted linen, along with the gold bells, created a beautiful and intricate design that adorned the hem of the high priest's robe.
Consider the harmony between the pomegranates and bells. They complement each other, creating a harmonious combination.
This harmony can be found again in the New Testament, where Christians are equipped with both the fruits and gifts of the Holy Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23, 1 Corinthians 12). Think of a person's qualities as fruits, symbolizing positive traits, and spiritual gifts as hard skills that help, uplift, and encourage. It's important for these abilities and traits to complement each other in order to have a positive impact on others. This balance is key not only in a Biblical context, but in general as well. For example, imagine working with a highly skilled coworker who lacks soft skills. It wouldn't be enjoyable to spend time with them, let alone work together.
Note the order of the fruits and gifts in the mentioned Bible passages, as they complement each other. For example, patience is crucial for the gifts of healing. While some healings may be immediate, others may unfold gradually and require patience.
Renewed thoughts
"Your lips are like a scarlet thread, And your mouth is lovely. Your temples are like a slice of a pomegranate behind your veil."
Song of Solomon 4:3 NASB
The Song of Solomon is basically a love letter from Old Testament king Solomon to his beloved bride. He showers her with beautiful compliments about her beauty and personality throughout this book of the Bible. Their love is a picture of God's love for his church, which is also called a bride in some passages.
In this Bible verse, Solomon praises his bride for her temples, a picture of her beautiful mind and thoughts, comparing them with a slice of a pomegranate. Remember that the inside is red and full of seeds. Similarly, the mind of a Christian believer is being washed and transformed by the blood of Jesus, which was shed at the cross. This makes our minds beautiful and grants us the full potential to develop a godly character.
Abundance
For the Lord your God is bringing you into a good land, a land of streams of water, of fountains and springs, flowing out in valleys and hills; a land of wheat and barley, of vines, fig trees, and pomegranates, a land of olive oil and honey;
Deuteronomy 8:8 NASB
The pomegranate is mentioned among the seven things that speak about the perfect abundance and fruitfulness of a good land. It's also part of God's promises toward his people: overflow and prosperity in their lives. The God of the Bible is not stingy but loves to provide for us lavishly:
The Lord is my shepherd, I will not be in need.
Psalm 23:1 NASB
If you make the Lord Jesus not just your savior but also your shepherd, you won't lack anything. He will gladly take care of all your needs.
having cast all your anxiety on Him, because He cares about you.
1 Peter 5:7 NASB
Conclusion
I hope this exploration has deepened your understanding and appreciation of this beautiful symbol. The Bible is very deep and multifaceted; we have explored just a fraction of plenty possible meanings.
What did you like most about the pomegranate? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
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