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Rimmon
exalted; pomegranate
רִמּוֹן
Rimmon (Hebrew: רִמּוֹן) means “exalted; pomegranate”, by traditional interpretation. Two men in scripture bear the name; the best attested belongs to the United Monarchy period. In United States birth records the name is below the reporting threshold. Appears in the same passages as Abner.
Which Rimmon?
Two men in scripture bear this name. Here is each of them.
-
Rimmon
father of Rechab; son of Saul
-
Rimmon
Scripture against society
The two measures, side by side
At a glance
- Verses
- 3 across 1 book
- Bearers
- 2 distinct people in scripture
- Testament
- Old
- Era
- United Monarchy
Using it today
In United States birth records this name is below the reporting threshold. The Social Security Administration does not publish counts under five, so a name given to four children looks the same as one given to none.
In scripture
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| First appears | 2 Samuel 4:2 |
| Last appears | 2 Samuel 4:9 |
| Cross-references | 40 linked passages |
Names connected to this one
- Ish-bosheth attested sibling Attested sibling — both named as children of Saul.
- Armoni attested sibling Attested sibling — both named as children of Saul.
- Abner attested sibling Attested sibling — both named as children of Saul.
- Mephibosheth attested sibling Attested sibling — both named as children of Saul.
- Rechab co-occurrence Appears with Rechab in 2 Samuel 4.
- Baanah co-occurrence Appears with Baanah in 2 Samuel 4.
- Ish-bosheth co-occurrence Appears with Ish-bosheth in 2 Samuel 4.
- Benjamin co-occurrence Appears with Benjamin in 2 Samuel 4.
Origin & meaning
Rimmon was a Beerothite and the father of Rechab and Baanah, who murdered Ish-bosheth, Saul's son.
The biblical story
Rimmon was a Beerothite, from the town of Beeroth, which was located in the territory of Benjamin (2Sa.4.2). He was the father of Rechab and Baanah, two of Ish-bosheth's captains (2Sa.4.2, 5). After the death of King Saul and his sons, Ish-bosheth, Saul's surviving son, was made king over Israel (2Sa.2.8-10). However, his reign was short-lived, as Rechab and Baanah, seeking to gain favor with David, murdered Ish-bosheth while he was resting in his bed (2Sa.4.5-7). They brought Ish-bosheth's head to David, believing that he would reward them for eliminating his rival (2Sa.4.8). However, David condemned their actions and ordered their execution, as they had killed an innocent man in his own house (2Sa.4.9-12). The mention of Rimmon as the father of Rechab and Baanah provides background information on the assassins and their family origin. The treacherous act committed by Rimmon's sons led to the end of Ish-bosheth's reign and solidified David's position as king over all Israel (2Sa.5.1-3).
Key verses
Rimmon appears in 3 verses. Here are some of the most notable:
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And Saul’s son had two men that were captains of bands: the name of the one was Baanah, and the name of the other Rechab, the sons of Rimmon a Beerothite, of the children of Benjamin: (for Beeroth also was reckoned to Benjamin:
2 Samuel 4:2 -
And the sons of Rimmon the Beerothite, Rechab and Baanah, went, and came about the heat of the day to the house of Ish–bosheth, who lay on a bed at noon.
2 Samuel 4:5 -
And David answered Rechab and Baanah his brother, the sons of Rimmon the Beerothite, and said unto them, As the Lord liveth, who hath redeemed my soul out of all adversity,
2 Samuel 4:9
Show all 3 references
2 Samuel (3)
- 2 Samuel 4:2
- 2 Samuel 4:5
- 2 Samuel 4:9