Pomegranates are mentioned multiple times throughout the Bible, both in the Old and New Testaments. They held symbolic and spiritual significance for the people of biblical times. Here is an overview of some of the key ways pomegranates are referenced in the Bible:
Pomegranates in the Tabernacle and Temple
When God gave instructions for building the tabernacle and later the temple, pomegranates were included as decorative elements:
- “You shall make a veil of blue and purple and scarlet yarns and fine twined linen. It shall be made with cherubim skillfully worked into it. And you shall hang it on four pillars of acacia overlaid with gold, with hooks of gold, on four bases of silver. And you shall hang the veil from the clasps, and bring the ark of the testimony in there within the veil. And the veil shall separate for you the Holy Place from the Most Holy. You shall put the mercy seat on the ark of the testimony in the Most Holy Place. And you shall set the table outside the veil, and the lampstand on the south side of the tabernacle opposite the table, and you shall put the table on the north side. And you shall make a screen for the entrance of the tent, of blue and purple and scarlet yarns and fine twined linen, embroidered with needlework” (Exodus 26:31-36, ESV).
- “On the tops of the pillars was lily-work. Thus the work of the pillars was finished” (1 Kings 7:22, ESV). The lily-work included pomegranates (1 Kings 7:18).
- “And he made pomegranates of blue and purple and scarlet yarns and fine linen, and he made robes of service, for Aaron to wear when he ministered, as the Lord commanded Moses” (Exodus 39:24, ESV).
The vivid red color of pomegranates was seen as symbolically linking the tabernacle/temple to concepts like fruitfulness, life, and sacrifice. The juicy seeds inside represented abundance and fertility.
The Promised Land as a Land of Pomegranates
When Moses sent spies to scout out the Promised Land, they returned with a cluster of grapes, pomegranates, and figs as evidence of the land’s fruitfulness (Numbers 13:23). God described the Promised Land to the Israelites as “a land of wheat and barley, of vines and fig trees and pomegranates, a land of olive trees and honey” (Deuteronomy 8:8, ESV). Pomegranates were considered a blessing and sign of flourishing.
Pomegranates in Solomon’s Temple Decor
When Solomon built the first temple in Jerusalem, it included many decorative elements involving pomegranates:
- “He made pomegranates in two rows around the one network to cover the capital that was on the top of the piliary; he did the same with the other capital” (1 Kings 7:18, ESV).
- “On the capitals of both pillars, above the rounded projection which was beside the network, were the two hundred pomegranates in rows all around” (1 Kings 7:20, ESV).
- “The capitals were on the two pillars and also above the rounded projection which was beside the network; and there were two hundred pomegranates, in rows on each capital” (1 Kings 7:41-42, ESV).
Again, these vivid red fruits symbolized life, fruitfulness, and God’s abounding provision.
Pomegranates Decorating the Robe of the High Priest
God instructed that the robe worn by the High Priest would be decorated with pomegranates alternating with golden bells:
- “A golden bell and a pomegranate, a golden bell and a pomegranate, all around the hem of the robe to be worn by the minister as he serves” (Exodus 28:34, ESV).
The pomegranates likely symbolized the fruit of the spirit that the High Priest displayed.
The Fruitfulness of the Promised Land
When the twelve spies returned from scouting out the Promised Land, they brought back a huge cluster of grapes, pomegranates, and figs as evidence of the land’s fruitfulness (Numbers 13:23). God described the Promised Land to the Israelites as “a land of wheat and barley, of vines and fig trees and pomegranates, a land of olive trees and honey” (Deuteronomy 8:8).
Pomegranates in the Song of Solomon
In the romantic Song of Solomon, the pomegranate is mentioned multiple times as a symbol of fruitfulness, spiritual blessing, and romantic desire:
- “Your cheeks are lovely with ornaments, your neck with strings of jewels. We will make for you ornaments of gold, studded with silver. While the king was on his couch, my nard gave forth its fragrance. My beloved is to me a sachet of myrrh that lies between my breasts. My beloved is to me a cluster of henna blossoms in the vineyards of Engedi. Behold, you are beautiful, my love; behold, you are beautiful; your eyes are doves. Behold, you are beautiful, my beloved, truly delightful. Our couch is green; the beams of our house are cedar; our rafters are pine. I am a rose of Sharon, a lily of the valleys. As a lily among brambles, so is my love among the young women. As an apple tree among the trees of the forest, so is my beloved among the young men. With great delight I sat in his shadow, and his fruit was sweet to my taste. He brought me to the banqueting house, and his banner over me was love. Sustain me with raisins; refresh me with apples, for I am sick with love. Oh that his left hand were under my head, and that his right hand embraced me! I adjure you, O daughters of Jerusalem, by the gazelles or the does of the field, that you not stir up or awaken love until it pleases. The voice of my beloved! Behold, he comes, leaping over the mountains, bounding over the hills. My beloved is like a gazelle or a young stag. Behold, there he stands behind our wall, gazing through the windows, looking through the lattice. My beloved speaks and says to me: “Arise, my love, my beautiful one, and come away, for behold, the winter is past; the rain is over and gone. The flowers appear on the earth, the time of singing has come, and the voice of the turtledove is heard in our land. The fig tree ripens its figs, and the vines are in blossom; they give forth fragrance. Arise, my love, my beautiful one, and come away. O my dove, in the clefts of the rock, in the crannies of the cliff, let me see your face, let me hear your voice, for your voice is sweet, and your face is lovely. Catch the foxes for us, the little foxes that spoil the vineyards, for our vineyards are in blossom.” My beloved is mine, and I am his; he grazes among the lilies. Until the day breathes and the shadows flee, turn, my beloved, be like a gazelle or a young stag on cleft mountains.” (Song of Solomon 1:10-2:17, ESV)
The refreshing and sweet pomegranate mirrors the satisfaction the lovers find in each other. Its ripe fruitfulness reflects their love reaching full bloom. And the ripe seeds bursting with life convey their passionate romance.
Pomegranates Symbolizing the People of God
In the Song of Solomon, the woman’s cheeks are compared to halves of pomegranates behind her veil (Song of Solomon 4:3). Her cheeks blushing through the veil resemble the vivid red of pomegranates. Some see this as symbolizing God’s people shining through even when concealed behind obstacles.
Eating Pomegranates in the New Jerusalem
In John’s vision of the New Jerusalem in Revelation, the tree of life is said to bear twelve kinds of fruit each month, including pomegranates (Revelation 22:1-2). The pomegranate remains a symbol of fruitfulness, life, and the blessings of God that will be fully realized in eternity.
Pomegranate Symbolism in Review
In summary, key symbolic meanings of the pomegranate in the Bible include:
- Fruitfulness
- Fertility
- Life
- The Promised Land
- God’s provision
- Spiritual blessing
- The fruit of the spirit
- Romantic desire
- Eternal reward
Although not directly mentioned often, when pomegranates do appear in Scripture, they consistently reflect themes of fruitfulness, flourishing, and spiritual prosperity. Their vivid crimson color and abundance of juicy seeds made them a perfect artistic representation of life, fertility, and the rewards God promises to His people.
Whether seen in the temple’s decor, the robe of the High Priest, the poetry of Song of Solomon, or the eschatological visions of the New Jerusalem, pomegranates ultimately point us to the extravagant blessings, provisions, and delights that God grants His people, both now and for eternity. They symbolize the fullness of life that comes from close relationship with Him.
Pomegranates were a meaningful symbol within the culture of biblical times. When we read the scriptural references with this background in mind, it deepens the meaning of these passages. Seeing the pomegranate imagery woven throughout Scripture adds new dimensions to our understanding of some of the Bible’s key themes of blessing, flourishing, and spiritual vitality through intimate relationship with God.