Topical Encyclopedia Rimmon, a term meaning "pomegranate" in Hebrew, is a significant location in biblical history, particularly in the narratives of the Old Testament. It is often associated with a rock or rocky area that provided refuge and strategic advantage in times of conflict.Biblical References: 1. Judges 20:45-47 : The Rock of Rimmon is prominently mentioned in the account of the Benjamite War. After the tribe of Benjamin was defeated by the other Israelite tribes, the surviving Benjamites fled to the Rock of Rimmon for safety. The passage states, "Then they turned and fled toward the wilderness to the rock of Rimmon, and they cut down five thousand men on the roads. They kept pressing after the Benjamites as far as Gidom and struck down two thousand more. So all the Benjamites who fell that day numbered twenty-five thousand swordsmen, all valiant warriors. But six hundred men turned and fled into the wilderness to the rock of Rimmon, where they stayed four months." 2. Judges 21:13 : The Rock of Rimmon is again mentioned as the place where the remaining Benjamites took refuge. The Israelites later sent a peace offering to these men, indicating the rock's role as a place of asylum and reconciliation. "Then the whole congregation sent a message of peace to the Benjamites who were at the rock of Rimmon." Geographical and Historical Context: The Rock of Rimmon is believed to be located in the territory of Benjamin, north of Jerusalem. Its exact location is not definitively known today, but it is traditionally identified with a site near the modern village of Rammun, northeast of Bethel. The rocky terrain would have provided a natural fortress, making it an ideal place for the Benjamites to seek refuge during their time of crisis. Theological Significance: The Rock of Rimmon serves as a symbol of refuge and survival amidst judgment and conflict. The narrative surrounding Rimmon highlights themes of justice, mercy, and reconciliation. The Benjamites' retreat to the rock underscores the severity of their punishment due to their initial transgressions, yet it also sets the stage for eventual restoration and peace within the Israelite community. Cultural and Symbolic Aspects: In biblical symbolism, rocks often represent strength, stability, and protection. The Rock of Rimmon, therefore, can be seen as a metaphor for God's provision of safety and a place of refuge for His people, even when they face dire circumstances. This aligns with the broader biblical theme of God as a "rock" or "fortress" for those who seek Him (e.g., Psalm 18:2). Conclusion: The Rock of Rimmon remains a poignant reminder of the complexities of justice and mercy in the biblical narrative. It illustrates the consequences of sin, the possibility of redemption, and the enduring hope for peace and unity among God's people. Torrey's Topical Textbook Judges 20:45And they turned and fled toward the wilderness to the rock of Rimmon: and they gleaned of them in the highways five thousand men; and pursued hard after them to Gidom, and slew two thousand men of them. Torrey's Topical Textbook Library The Prophet --His Youth and his Call. Appendices Syria at the Beginning of the Egyptian Conquest The Holy City; Or, the New Jerusalem: Resources What is Absalom's Monument? | GotQuestions.orgWhat did Jesus mean when He described His followers as the salt of the earth? | GotQuestions.org Who were Hymenaeus and Alexander, and what does it mean that their faith was shipwrecked? | GotQuestions.org Rocks: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Subtopics Rocks used as Places for Idolatrous Worship Rocks used as Places for Shelter by the Poor in Their Distress Rocks used as Places of Observation Rocks used as Places of Safety in Danger Rocks were a Defence to a Country Rocks: Bees often Made Their Honey Amongst Rocks: Casting Down From, a Punishment Rocks: Christ As a Stumbling Stone to the Wicked Rocks: Christ As Foundation of his Church Rocks: Christ As Refuge of his People Rocks: Christ As Source of Spiritual Gifts Rocks: God As Creator of his People Rocks: God As Defence of his People Rocks: God As Refuge of his People Rocks: God As Salvation of his People Rocks: God As the Strength of his People Rocks: God's Power Exhibited in Removing Rocks: Hammers Used for Breaking Rocks: Important Events often Engraved Upon Rocks: Inhabited by Wild Goats Rocks: Man's Industry in Cutting Through Rocks: Miracles Connected With: Broken in Pieces by the Wind Rocks: Miracles Connected With: Fire Ascended out of Rocks: Miracles Connected With: Rent at the Death of Christ Rocks: Miracles Connected With: Water Brought From Rocks: Often Composed of Flint Rocks: Often had Holes and Clefts Rocks: Often Sharp-Pointed and Craggy Rocks: Selah in the Valley of Salt Rocks: Selahammahlekoth in the Wilderness of Maon Rocks: The Ancestor of a Nation Rocks: The Olive Tree Flourished Amongst Rocks: The Shadow of, Grateful to Travellers During the Heat of The Rocks: Tombs often Hewn out of Related Terms |
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