Etymology and Meaning:
Gath-rimmon, meaning "winepress of the pomegranate," is a biblical city mentioned in the Old Testament. The name reflects the agricultural richness of the region, with "Gath" referring to a winepress and "Rimmon" to the pomegranate, a fruit often symbolizing abundance and blessing in biblical literature.

Biblical References:
Gath-rimmon is referenced in several passages within the Old Testament, primarily in the context of the allotment of land to the tribes of Israel. It is mentioned as a Levitical city, indicating its significance as a city designated for the Levites, the priestly tribe of Israel.

1. Joshua 19:45 : "Jehud, Bene-berak, Gath-rimmon." This verse lists Gath-rimmon among the cities in the territory allotted to the tribe of Dan. The inclusion of Gath-rimmon in this list highlights its geographical and tribal significance.

2. Joshua 21:24-25 : "Aijalon, and Gath-rimmon—four cities, along with their pasturelands." Here, Gath-rimmon is mentioned as one of the cities given to the Levites from the tribe of Dan. The Levites were allocated specific cities and surrounding pasturelands as they did not receive a contiguous territory like the other tribes.

3. 1 Chronicles 6:69 : "Aijalon and Gath-rimmon, with their pasturelands." This passage reiterates the allocation of Gath-rimmon to the Levites, underscoring its role as a Levitical city.

Historical and Geographical Context:
Gath-rimmon was located in the region assigned to the tribe of Dan, which was situated in the western part of the land of Israel, near the Mediterranean coast. The exact location of Gath-rimmon is not definitively known today, but it is generally believed to have been in the vicinity of modern-day Tel Aviv or further inland.

Significance in Israelite Society:
As a Levitical city, Gath-rimmon held religious and cultural importance. The Levites were responsible for religious duties, including teaching the Law and performing sacrifices. Cities like Gath-rimmon served as centers for these activities, ensuring that the spiritual needs of the Israelites were met across the land.

Theological Implications:
The allocation of cities like Gath-rimmon to the Levites reflects the biblical principle of God's provision for those who serve Him. The Levites, who did not receive a large inheritance of land, were supported through these cities and their surrounding lands, allowing them to focus on their spiritual responsibilities. This arrangement underscores the importance of religious leadership and the community's role in supporting those dedicated to spiritual service.

Cultural and Symbolic Aspects:
The name "Gath-rimmon" itself carries symbolic weight, with the imagery of a winepress and pomegranate evoking themes of fruitfulness and divine blessing. In the agrarian society of ancient Israel, such symbols would resonate deeply, reminding the people of God's provision and the abundance of the Promised Land.

Conclusion:
While Gath-rimmon may not be as prominent as other biblical cities, its role as a Levitical city and its symbolic name contribute to our understanding of the social and religious fabric of ancient Israel. Through its mention in the Scriptures, Gath-rimmon serves as a testament to the careful organization and distribution of land among the tribes, as well as the special provision made for those who served in the temple and taught the Law.Gath-Rimmon

the high wine-press

Press of the pomegranate.

(1.) A Levitical city in the tribe of Dan (Joshua 19:45; 21:24; 1 Chronicles 6:69).

(2.) Another city of the same name in Manasseh, west of the Jordan (Joshua 21:25), called also Bileam (1 Chronicles 6:70).

GATH-RIMMON

(1) A city in the territory of Dan named with Bene-berak and Me-jarkon, in the plain not far from Joppa (Joshua 19:45), assigned to the Kohathite Levites (Joshua 21:24), reckoned to Ephraim in 1 Chronicles 6:69. Eusebius, Onomasticon locates it 12 miles from Eleutheropolis on the way to Diospolis. This, however, is too far to the South. More probably it is identical with the "Gath" which Eusebius, Onomasticon places between Antipatris and Jamnia. It is not identified.

(2) A town in the territory of Manasseh, West of Jordan, given to the Levites (Joshua 21:25). There is nothing to indicate the position of the place, and there is much confusion in the writing of the name: Septuagint Codex Alexandrinus, "Baithsa"; Codex Vaticanus, "Jebatha." In 1 Chronicles 6:70 it is replaced by "Bileam," i.e. IBLEAM (which see).

W. Ewing

1667. Gath-rimmon -- "wine press of a pomegranate," two places in ...
Gath-rimmon. 1666, 1667. Gath-rimmon. 1668 . "wine press of a pomegranate,"
two places in Palestine. Transliteration: Gath-rimmon ...
/hebrew/1667.htm - 6kGathrimmon (4 Occurrences)
... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. GATH-RIMMON. ... Multi-Version Concordance Gathrimmon
(4 Occurrences). Joshua 19:45 And Jehud, and Beneberak, and Gathrimmon, (KJV) ...
/g/gathrimmon.htm - 9k

Gath-rimmon (4 Occurrences)
Gath-rimmon. Gathrimmon, Gath-rimmon. Gath-rim'mon . Easton's Bible Dictionary ...
Gathrimmon, Gath-rimmon. Gath-rim'mon . Reference Bible.
/g/gath-rimmon.htm - 9k

Gath-rim'mon (4 Occurrences)
Gath-rim'mon. Gath-rimmon, Gath-rim'mon. Gaudy . ... Gath-rim'mon (4 Occurrences).
Joshua 19:45 and Jehud, and Bene-berak, and Gath-rimmon; (See RSV). ...
/g/gath-rim'mon.htm - 7k

Pasturelands (42 Occurrences)
... suburbs; four cities. (See NIV). Joshua 21:24 Aijalon with its suburbs, Gath
Rimmon with its suburbs; four cities. (See NIV). Joshua 21 ...
/p/pasturelands.htm - 16k

Rimmon (22 Occurrences)
... (WEB JPS ASV BBE DBY YLT NAS RSV NIV). Joshua 19:45 Jehud, Bene Berak, Gath
Rimmon, (WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS NIV). Joshua ...
/r/rimmon.htm - 18k

Gath (44 Occurrences)
... (WEB JPS ASV BBE DBY NAS RSV NIV). Joshua 19:45 Jehud, Bene Berak, GathRimmon,
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV). Joshua ...
/g/gath.htm - 26k

Suburbs (75 Occurrences)
... DBY WBS YLT). Joshua 21:24 Aijalon with its suburbs, GathRimmon with its
suburbs; four cities. (WEB KJV ASV DBY WBS YLT). Joshua 21 ...
/s/suburbs.htm - 29k

Grass-lands (42 Occurrences)
... grass-lands; (BBE). Joshua 21:24 Aijalon and Gath-rimmon with their
grass-lands, four towns. (BBE). Joshua 21:25 And from the half ...
/g/grass-lands.htm - 17k

Ai'jalon (10 Occurrences)
... Joshua 19:42 Shaalabbin, Aijalon, Ithlah, (See RSV). Joshua 21:24 Aijalon with its
suburbs, GathRimmon with its suburbs; four cities. (See RSV). ...
/a/ai'jalon.htm - 8k

Aijalon (10 Occurrences)
... Joshua 19:42 Shaalabbin, Aijalon, Ithlah, (WEB JPS ASV BBE YLT NAS NIV). Joshua
21:24 Aijalon with its suburbs, GathRimmon with its suburbs; four cities. ...
/a/aijalon.htm - 11k

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