- POMEGRANATE i.e., “grained apple” (pomum granatum), Hebrews
rimmon. Common in Egypt (Numbers 20:5) and Palestine (13:23;
Deuteronomy 8:8). The Romans called it Punicum malum, i.e.,
Carthaginian apple, because they received it from Carthage. It belongs to
the myrtle family of trees. The withering of the pomegranate tree is
mentioned among the judgments of God (Joel 1:12). It is frequently
mentioned in the Song of Solomon (Cant. 4:3, 13, etc.). The skirt of the
high priest’s blue robe and ephod was adorned with the representation of
pomegranates, alternating with golden bells (Exodus 28:33,34), as also
were the “chapiters upon the two pillars” (1 Kings 7:20) which “stood
before the house.” - POMMELS (2 Chronicles 4:12, 13), or bowls (1 Kings 7:41), were balls
or “rounded knobs” on the top of the chapiters (q.v.). - PONTIUS PILATE See PILATE.
- PONTUS a province of Asia Minor, stretching along the southern coast
of the Euxine Sea, corresponding nearly to the modern province of
Trebizond. In the time of the apostles it was a Roman province. Strangers
from this province were at Jerusalem at Pentecost (Acts 2:9), and to
“strangers scattered throughout Pontus,” among others, Peter addresses his
first epistle (1 Peter 1:1). It was evidently the resort of many Jews of the
Dispersion. Aquila was a native of Pontus (Acts 18:2). - POOL a pond, or reservoir, for holding water (Hebrews berekhah;
modern Arabic, birket), an artificial cistern or tank. Mention is made of the
pool of Gibeon (2 Samuel 2:13); the pool of Hebron (4:12); the upper pool
at Jerusalem (2 Kings 18:17; 20:20); the pool of Samaria (1 Kings 22:38);
the king’s pool (Nehemiah 2:14); the pool of Siloah (Nehemiah 3:15;
Ecclesiastes 2:6); the fishpools of Heshbon (Cant. 7:4); the “lower pool,”
and the “old pool” (Isaiah 22:9,11).
The “pool of Bethesda” (John 5:2,4, 7) and the “pool of Siloam” (John
9:7, 11) are also mentioned. Isaiah (35:7) says, “The parched ground shall
become a pool.” This is rendered in the Revised Version “glowing sand,”
etc. (marg., “the mirage,” etc.). The Arabs call the mirage “serab,” plainly
the same as the Hebrew word sarab, here rendered “parched ground.”
“The mirage shall become a pool”, i.e., the mock-lake of the burning desert
shall become a real lake, “the pledge of refreshment and joy.” The “pools”