Etymology and Meaning: The name "Gathrimmon" is derived from two Hebrew words: "Gath," meaning "winepress," and "Rimmon," which is a reference to a pomegranate or possibly a deity. Thus, Gathrimmon can be understood as "winepress of Rimmon" or "winepress of the pomegranate."

Biblical References: Gathrimmon is mentioned in the context of the allotment of land to the tribes of Israel and the designation of Levitical cities. It appears in the following passages:

1. Joshua 19:45: "Jehud, Bene-berak, Gath-rimmon," . This verse lists Gathrimmon as one of the towns in the territory allotted to the tribe of Dan. The tribe of Dan was one of the twelve tribes of Israel, and their inheritance was located in the western part of the land, near the Mediterranean Sea.

2. Joshua 21:24: "Aijalon, and Gath-rimmon—four cities," . In this passage, Gathrimmon is mentioned as one of the cities given to the Levites from the tribe of Dan. The Levites were the priestly tribe of Israel, and they were given specific cities throughout the land to dwell in, 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 verse reiterates the allocation of Gathrimmon to the Levites, emphasizing the provision of pasturelands for their livestock. The inclusion of pasturelands was essential for the sustenance of the Levites, who relied on offerings and their own agricultural activities.

Historical and Geographical Context: Gathrimmon was located in the region assigned to the tribe of Dan, which was situated in the lowland areas of western Israel. The exact location of Gathrimmon is not definitively known today, but it is believed to have been in proximity to other Danite cities such as Aijalon and Ekron. The region was known for its agricultural productivity, which aligns with the meaning of the name "winepress."

Theological Significance: The mention of Gathrimmon in the context of Levitical cities highlights the importance of the Levites in Israelite society. As the tribe set apart for religious duties, the Levites were distributed among the other tribes to facilitate worship and maintain the spiritual life of the nation. Gathrimmon, as a Levitical city, would have served as a center for teaching, worship, and the administration of the Law.

Cultural and Religious Insights: The dual meaning of the name Gathrimmon, involving both a winepress and a pomegranate, reflects the agricultural richness of the land and the cultural symbols of fertility and abundance. The pomegranate, in particular, was a common motif in Israelite art and religious symbolism, often associated with the Promised Land's fruitfulness.

Conclusion: Gathrimmon serves as a testament to the careful organization of the Israelite tribes and the provision made for the Levites within the Promised Land. Its mention in the biblical narrative underscores the integration of religious and communal life in ancient Israel.Gathrimmon

(press of the pomegranate)

1. A city given out of the tribe of Dan to the Levites. (Joshua 21:24; 1 Chronicles 6:69) situated on the plain of Philistia, apparently not far from Joppa. (Joshua 19:45)
2. A town of the half tribe of Manasseh west of the Jordan, assigned to the Levites. (Joshua 21:25) The reading Gath-rimmon is probably an error of the transcribers.

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

Gathrimmon (4 Occurrences)
... W. Ewing. Multi-Version Concordance Gathrimmon (4 Occurrences). Joshua
19:45 And Jehud, and Beneberak, and Gathrimmon, (KJV). Joshua ...
/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-he'pher (1 Occurrence)
Gath-he'pher. Gath-hepher, Gath-he'pher. Gathrimmon . Multi-Version Concordance ...
(See RSV). Gath-hepher, Gath-he'pher. Gathrimmon . Reference Bible.
/g/gath-he'pher.htm - 6k

Tanach (4 Occurrences)
... (WBS). Joshua 21:25 And out of the half tribe of Manasseh, Tanach with her
suburbs, and Gathrimmon with her suburbs; two cities. (KJV). ...
/t/tanach.htm - 7k

Beneberak (1 Occurrence)
... Southeast of Jaffa. Multi-Version Concordance Beneberak (1 Occurrence). Joshua
19:45 And Jehud, and Beneberak, and Gathrimmon, (KJV DBY). ...
/b/beneberak.htm - 6k

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