The Hebrew term Rimmôn Perets, represented by H7428, identifies a specific location in the Desert named Rimmon-parez. Its name translates to "pomegranate of the breach." It appears just 2 times across 2 unique verses in the Bible, both within the same chapter detailing Israel's journey.
The use of H7428 is exclusively found in the log of Israel's desert wanderings. It marks a temporary encampment site in the narrative of their journey. The Israelites departed H5265 from Rithmah H7575 and pitched H2583 at Rimmon-parez Numbers 33:19. Immediately following this stop, they departed H5265 from Rimmon-parez H7428 and pitched H2583 their next camp in Libnah H3841 Numbers 33:20.
The context of Rimmon-parez is defined by the actions and locations surrounding it:
- H5265 nâçaʻ: This primitive root means to pull up tent-pins and start on a journey. It is used in both verses to describe Israel's departure from one location to the next (Numbers 33:19, Numbers 33:20).
- H2583 chânâh: A primitive root used to describe pitching a tent or setting up a camp. It appears in the narrative to mark the Israelites' arrival and encampment at both Rimmon-parez and Libnah (Numbers 33:19, Numbers 33:20).
- H7575 Rithmâh: The place in the Desert from which the Israelites departed just before arriving at Rimmon-parez Numbers 33:19.
- H3841 Libnâh: A place in the Desert where the Israelites encamped immediately after leaving Rimmon-parez Numbers 33:20.
While Rimmon-parez itself has no specific narrative attached, its context points to broader theological themes of Israel's journey.
- A Stop on a Divine Journey: The location serves as a waypoint in a journey framed as a divinely initiated act. The verb for departing, nâçaʻ H5265, is also used to describe how God "hast brought H5265 a vine H1612 out of Egypt H4714" Psalms 80:8.
- The Act of Encampment: The repeated action of pitching a camp, described by the word chânâh H2583, is not merely logistical. The same word is used to describe the protective presence of the "angel H4397 of the LORD H3068" who "encampeth H2583 round about H5439 them that fear H3373 him" Psalms 34:7.
- Sequential Progression: The clear sequence of departing from Rithmah, pitching at Rimmon-parez, and then departing for Libnah underscores the structured and guided nature of the Israelites' travels toward a place the LORD promised to give them Numbers 10:29.
In summary, H7428 Rimmôn Perets is a place name, "pomegranate of the breach," marking one specific encampment during Israel's wanderings. Its importance lies not in any event that occurred there but in its function as a link in the chain of locations that map Israel's journey. The name exists within the biblical record solely to document a step in the divinely-led progression from Egypt to the promised land.
TRV