The Significance of the Pomegranate Recently discovered at Shiloh Excavations were directed by Dr Scott Stripling with an archaeological team has completed four seasons of excavations at the site of biblical Shiloh. Among the finds was a ceramic pomegranate (FC tracing board).
grains enumerated in the Hebrew Bible (Deuteronomy 8:8) as special products of the Land of Israel.
When Solomon described the decorations of the first temple we read; And he made the pillars; and two rows round about upon A bit of History the one net-work, to cover the chapiters that (were) upon the top, with pomegranWhen the Israelites arrived in the land, ates; and so he did for the other chapiter.. they set up there the ancient wilderness (I Kings 7:18). tent shrine (the Tent of Meeting: Heb. Ohel-Mo'ed). There Joshua and Eleazar di- The Pomegranate is a Biblical sign of blessvided the land among the tribes who had ing. In Christian theology, the high priest not yet received their allocation (Joshua would have put aside the symbolism of the 18:1–10) and dealt with the allocation of law on the day of atonement as he entered cities to the Levites (Joshua 21:1–8). Sub- into the Holy of Holies to sprinkle the sequently, Shiloh became one of the lead- blood on the Mercy Seat. Christ blood was ing religious shrines in ancient Israel, a sta- the fulfilment of the law! tus it held until shortly before David's elevation of Jerusalem. Shiloh also significant The pomegranate is a fruit that is made up because in the bible, 1 Samuel 1–3, the mostly of seeds and contains very little sanctuary at Shiloh was administered by pulp. Therefore, it symbolizes a fruit with the Aaronite high priest Eli and his two the unselfish desire to grant further blesssons, Hophni and Phinehas. According to ing in the world without being too conthis account, this is the temple where cerned with itself and its own needs. That Samuel was dedicated to God by his moth- is why it has the "crown of Royalty” at the er Hannah at the steps. top. Most fruits are made up of pulp and seeds. The pulp of the fruit is what the Sacred Pomegranates fruit uses to sustain and "feed" itself. The seeds of the fruit are what the fruit uses to Pomegranates adorned the robe of the high bring new fruit into the world. The seeds, priest who entered the Holy of Holies. (The then, are all about granting further blessHoly of Holies is a term in the Bible which ing. refers to the inner sanctuary of the Tabernacle where God's presence appeared). In 2018, the team discovered a ceramic pomegranate near a large East/West wall Exodus 28:33-34 Make pomegranates of dating to Iron Age I, a period when the blue, purple and scarlet yarn (well known tabernacle was in operation at Shiloh. It is to Royal Arch Masons) around the hem of believed that this is part of a massive the robe, with gold bells between them. building was from the time of Samuel. The gold bells and the pomegranates are Amazingly, the Shiloh Pomegranate was to alternate around the hem of the robe. discovered in situ (literally "on site" or "in Exodus 39:24-26 They made pomegranates position) at Shiloh excavations 2018 so we of blue, purple and scarlet yarn and finely do do have a clear understanding of its twisted linen around the hem of the robe. origin. And they made bells of pure gold and attached them around the hem between the pomegranates. The bells and pomegranates alternated around the hem of the robe to be worn for ministering, as the Lord commanded Moses It is traditional to consume pomegranates on Rosh Hashana (the first of the Jewish High Holy Days specified by Leviticus 23:23 –32) because, with its numerous seeds, the pomegranate symbolizes fruitfulness. Pomegranate are said to have 613 seeds, which corresponds with the 613 commandments of the Torah. Additionally, Pomegranates are one of the Seven Species of fruits and Cross Keys December 2022
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