Rimmon-perez
Rimmon-perez is a location mentioned in the Old Testament, located in the region of Judea in modern-day Israel. Known today as Naqb al Biyar. It appears across 2 verses in Scripture.
Biblical History
Rimmon-perez, meaning "pomegranate of the breach" or "pomegranate of the gap," appears exclusively in the wilderness itinerary of Israel's forty-year wandering as recorded in Numbers 33:19-20. It was a campsite where the Israelites stopped after departing from Rithmah and before continuing to Libnah. While no specific events are narrated at this location, its inclusion in the detailed travel log of Numbers 33 testifies to God's meticulous guidance of His people through the barren Sinai and Negev wilderness. Each station in this itinerary represents a moment of divine provision, as God sustained an entire nation with manna, water, and protection in an inhospitable landscape. The name itself, suggesting a place where pomegranates grew near a rocky cleft or pass, hints at an oasis or fertile spot amid the arid terrain. Rimmon-perez thus contributes to the broader theological theme of God's faithfulness during Israel's prolonged period of testing and discipline between Egypt and the Promised Land.
Archaeological & Historical Notes
The precise identification of Rimmon-perez remains uncertain, as is the case with many stations in the Numbers 33 itinerary. Some scholars have tentatively associated it with Naqb al-Biyar, a pass in the northern Negev region of modern Israel. The name's reference to pomegranates suggests the presence of a water source capable of supporting fruit-bearing trees. The Negev landscape in this area features scattered wadis where seasonal water flow could sustain limited vegetation. No definitive archaeological remains have been linked to this specific encampment. The identification remains largely based on topographical analysis and the sequence of camps in the wilderness journey.
Verse Appearances (2)
Sources: ISBE Encyclopedia · OpenBible Geocoding (CC BY) · Pleiades Gazetteer View all →