Rimmon
Hebrew Bible / Ancient Near Eastern Mythology·Mythology / Religious Text·Ancient Near East / Israelite·Deity / Place-name / Person
Rimmon, a name derived from the Hebrew word for 'pomegranate,' appears in the Hebrew Bible in various contexts. Primarily, it refers to a Syrian deity, a storm god also known as Hadad or Baal, to whom a temple was dedicated. This deity is notable for being mentioned in the narrative of Naaman's healing in the Second Book of Kings.
Key Facts
- ›Rimmon is a Hebrew word meaning 'pomegranate'.
- ›It appears as a Syrian deity in the Second Book of Kings, associated with a temple.
- ›This Syrian deity was also known as Hadad or Baal in Syria, and Ramanu in Assyria.
- ›Rimmon also refers to several place-names in the Hebrew Bible, including cities in Judah and Benjamin.
- ›It is also the name of a biblical figure from Beeroth, father of Baanah and Rechab.
- ›In Jewish tradition, 'rimonim' are decorative ornaments for Torah scrolls, shaped like pomegranates.
Rimon, Remmon, Hadad, Baal, Ramanu
Storms, Thunder
Hebrew Bible, the Urantia Book
Hadad, Baal, Ramanu, Naaman, Elisha, King Saul, Ish-Bosheth
Pomegranate
Temple Worship of the Syrian Deity.
Hadad, Baal, Ramanu
Pomegranate
About Rimmon
Rimmon is a name with multiple significations, primarily derived from the Hebrew word for 'pomegranate.' It appears in the Hebrew Bible as a Syrian deity, a place-name, and a personal name.
Syrian Deity
In the Second Book of Kings, Rimmon is identified as a Syrian deity, a storm god who was worshipped in a dedicated temple. This deity was also known by the names Hadad, interpreted as 'the breast' in Biblical Hebrew, and Baal, meaning 'the Lord,' within Syria. In Assyrian contexts, he was referred to as Ramanu, meaning 'the thunderer,' a name borrowed from Akkadian.
The biblical narrative features the Aramean commander Naaman, who, after being healed of leprosy by the Israelite prophet Elisha, sought divine pardon for continuing to serve the Syrian king who worshipped in the Temple of Rimmon. Elisha granted this request.
Place-Names and Personal Name
Beyond its identity as a deity, Rimmon also designates several locations within the Hebrew Bible. These include a city in Judah, later allocated to Simeon, which may have been part of a larger settlement known as Ain-Rimmon, meaning 'the spring of the pomegranate.' This location has been identified with Um er-Rumamin or Horvat Rimmon, south-west of Hebron. Zechariah 14:10 references it as being south of Jerusalem. The 'Rock of Rimmon' is also mentioned as a refuge for the Benjamites after a battle at Gibeah, and is associated with the modern village of Rammun.
Additionally, Rimmon is the name of a man from Beeroth in the tribe of Benjamin. His sons, Baanah and Rechab, served as captains in the army of Ish-bosheth, son of King Saul.
Cultural Associations
The association with the pomegranate extends to Jewish tradition, where 'Torah rimonim' are decorative finials, often pluralized, placed atop Torah scrolls, symbolizing the fruit. The name also appears in literature, such as Rudyard Kipling's 1903 poem 'Rimmon,' written after the Boer War. The Urantia Book mentions Rimmon as a city in Galilee once dedicated to the Babylonian god of the air, Ramman.
Source: Wikipedia ↗
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the name Rimmon mean?
Rimmon is a Hebrew word that translates to 'pomegranate'. This meaning is significant in its various biblical and cultural associations.
Who was the Syrian deity named Rimmon?
Rimmon was a Syrian storm god, also identified as Hadad or Baal. A temple was dedicated to him, and he is mentioned in the context of the biblical commander Naaman.
Where does Rimmon appear in the Hebrew Bible?
Rimmon appears in the Hebrew Bible as a Syrian deity, as several place-names in Judah and Benjamin, and as the name of a man from the tribe of Benjamin.
What is the connection between Rimmon and pomegranates?
The name 'Rimmon' itself means 'pomegranate' in Hebrew. This association is seen in biblical place-names and in the decorative 'rimonim' used for Torah scrolls.