How Many Times Is Pomegranate Mentioned in the Bible?

I find the pomegranate fruit very interesting. One because of its thick skin, which turns red when the fruit is ripe and ready to eat. And two, its beautiful ruby-red, diamond-shaped, juicy seeds, which are edible and rich in antioxidants and flavonoids. As a Christian believer, I have always sought to understand the usage and significance of the things I know and use on a daily basis in the Bible. So, today, I want to take a few minutes to find out more and probably answer the question, “How many times is pomegranate mentioned in the Bible?”

In this article, I will explore more of what the Bible says about pomegranates and their significance. I will also look at some of the Bible verses that mention pomegranates and find out if pomegranates are mentioned in the New Testament. Join me in this exploration and have your questions on pomegranate usage in the Bible answered as well. So let’s get to it.

What Does the Bible Say About Pomegranates?

One of the most notable references to pomegranates in the Bible is in the book of Exodus, where God commands the Israelites to make garments for Aaron, the high priest. The garments were to be adorned with pomegranates made of blue, purple, and scarlet yarns, and gold bells were to be placed between the pomegranates (Exodus 28:33–34).

Elsewhere, in the Song of Solomon, the bridegroom compares the bride’s lips to a scarlet ribbon or strand and her mouth to a pomegranate (Song of Solomon 4:3). The fruit is also mentioned in Joel, where the prophet laments the destruction of the crops, including the pomegranate, and the resulting loss of joy and celebration (Joel 1:12).

Bible Verses About Pomegranates

As we have seen above, pomegranates are mentioned several times in the Old Testament. The fruit was popular and was regularly used in ancient Near Eastern cultures.

Here are some relevant Bible verses about pomegranates:

Exodus 28:33-34:

This verse explains in detail how Aaron’s robe was to be decorated with intricate designs. He was to wear this particular robe when entering the Holy Place. The pomegranates and the bells made a sound when the high priest moved inside the Holy Place. The priests who were outside the tent could also tell the movements of the high priest.

Numbers 13:23:

When Moses wanted to know what lay in the land that God had promised the children of Israelites, Canaan, he sent spies to explore it. This verse shows what the spies found in the Valley of Eshcol. The branch with one cluster of grapes was so large and had to be carried by two men on a pole. They also brought pomegranates and figs which grew in that land. Even though the spies gave a negative report, the fruits they brought back indicated that it was a land of abundance.

Song of Solomon 4:3:

This poetic description of the beauty and desirability of the bride in the Song of Solomon highlights the physical and romantic aspects of love within the context of marriage. It also types the kind of relationship that exists between Christ and his bride, the Church.

Joel 1:12:

The scene being described in this verse is the aftermath of a locust plague in Judah. The verse speaks specifically of the vineyards, which have been stripped of their leaves and fruit by the locusts. The fig, pomegranate, palm, and apple trees in the field have also withered. And as the vineyards and the fruit trees wither, so also the joy from the sons of men.

Haggai 2:19:

After God’s people returned to Jerusalem to rebuild the temple, he promised to bless them from that day forward. The fig, pomegranate, and olive trees which were not productive, will produce in abundance. The context of the verse was on the obedience of God’s people, who at that moment were laying the foundation of the temple that they sought to rebuild.

What Is the Significance of Pomegranates in the Bible?

The pomegranate holds great cultural and spiritual significance in the Bible. The fruit is mentioned several times throughout the Bible and is often used to signify righteousness, joy, fertility, abundance, and beauty.

In the book of Exodus, God commands the Israelites to make garments for Aaron, the high priest, adorned with pomegranates made of blue, purple, and scarlet yarns and gold bells. The pomegranates and bells signified the fruits of righteousness and the sound of praise and worship.

The pomegranate is also used as a metaphor for beauty in the Song of Solomon. The bridegroom compares the bride’s lips to a scarlet strand and her mouth to a pomegranate.

In Joel, the prophet laments the destruction of the crops, including the pomegranate, and the resulting loss of joy and celebration.

In the book of Haggai, the fruit is used as a symbol of God’s blessing and provision.

Overall, the pomegranate serves as a symbol of God’s blessings and provision. It represents the fruits of righteousness and the abundance of life that God provides for his people.

Are Pomegranates Mentioned in the New Testament?

There is no record of pomegranates being mentioned in the New Testament. However, some purport that the tree of life mentioned in the book of Revelation 22:2 bears a similarity to a pomegranate. And it suggests that the fruit, among other fruits, will be available for consumption in the heavenly city, emphasizing the abundance of life and blessings that God provides for his people.