What was Remmon?

Remmon was a town mentioned in the tribal allotments during the conquest and division of the Promised Land, as recorded in the book of Joshua. Specifically, it is listed in Joshua 18:25 as one of the towns belonging to the tribe of Benjamin:

“Gibeon, Ramah, Beeroth, Mizpah, Kephirah, Mozah, Rekem, Irpeel, Taralah, Zelah, Haeleph, the Jebusite city (that is, Jerusalem), Gibeah and Kiriath (that is, Kiriath Jearim)—fourteen towns and their villages. This was the inheritance of Benjamin, according to its clans” (NIV).

The name Remmon (Hebrew: רִמּוֹן, Rimmon) is derived from a root meaning “pomegranate,” a fruit often associated in Scripture with blessing, beauty, and abundance (cf. Exodus 28:33–34; Song of Songs 4:3). The pomegranate symbolized fruitfulness and was even used as a decorative motif in the Tabernacle and Temple garments. Though Remmon as a town is mentioned briefly, its inclusion in the divinely appointed tribal allotment speaks to its significance in the covenantal arrangement of the land.

Some scholars believe that Remmon may be the same as Rimmon in other Old Testament references, such as Judges 20:45, 47, where men of the tribe of Benjamin hid in the rock of Rimmon after a civil war. However, these references are likely to different locations with the same name.

Biblical References and Cross-References

• Joshua 18:24-25 – Remmon is listed as part of the inheritance of the tribe of Benjamin.

• Judges 20:45, 47 – Reference to the “rock of Rimmon,” possibly a different location but with the same name.

• 1 Chronicles 6:77-81 – A town named Rimmon also appears in the Levitical listings, associated with the tribe of Zebulun, likely a separate location.

• Zechariah 14:10 – The mention of “Rimmon south of Jerusalem” again may be another location, but it reflects the name’s repetition in biblical geography.

What Happened in the Bible?

The mention of Remmon in Joshua 18 comes at a significant moment in Israel’s history. After years of slavery in Egypt, wilderness wandering, and conquest under Joshua, the land of Canaan was being divided among the twelve tribes of Israel. This distribution was not random—it was a fulfillment of God’s promise to Abraham (Genesis 12:7; 15:18-21) and was carried out under divine direction, often through casting lots (Joshua 18:6, 10).

Remmon, therefore, represents one of the many tangible fulfillments of God’s covenant promises. Though we don’t read of specific events occurring in Remmon itself, its placement in the list of Benjamin’s inheritance underscores its role in the nation’s organized settlement in the land God had given them.

What It Means for Today’s Christians

While Remmon may appear to be a minor town with no narrative events attached to it, its presence in the Scriptures has enduring meaning for believers today. It reminds us that every part of God’s Word—even the lists and boundaries—carries theological weight. It shows that:

• God is faithful to fulfill His promises, down to the smallest detail.

• The inheritance given to God‘s people is intentional and rich in meaning.

• Even seemingly insignificant places have a part in God’s redemptive history.

The Hebrew meaning of the name—pomegranate—can also be a symbolic encouragement to Christians today. Pomegranates were known for their abundant seeds and were associated with fertility and blessing. For believers, Remmon can be seen as a reminder that we are called to bear fruit in our own spiritual lives (John 15:5; Galatians 5:22–23).

How Remmon Points to Jesus and the Gospel

The land inheritances in Joshua prefigure the greater inheritance promised to God’s people through Christ. Hebrews 4 points out that the rest Israel received in Canaan was not the ultimate rest, but a foreshadowing of the rest found in Jesus. The towns like Remmon are markers of God‘s ongoing work of redemption, preparing the way for the true and greater Joshua—Jesus Christ—who would lead His people into an eternal inheritance.

Just as the pomegranate represented abundance and beauty, Jesus is the vine in whom all true fruitfulness is found (John 15:1-8). Through Him, believers inherit not a physical land, but an eternal kingdom (1 Peter 1:3-4; Hebrews 12:28).

Broader Biblical Themes

1. Covenant Fulfillment

The mention of Remmon in Joshua illustrates God‘s faithfulness to His covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. It also affirms God‘s trustworthiness in fulfilling His promises to His people (Numbers 23:19).

2. Divine Order and Inheritance

God is a God of order. The division of the land—including the small towns—demonstrates His concern for all tribes and families in Israel. Each had a place. In Christ, every believer likewise has a secure place in God‘s kingdom.

3. Fruitfulness in the Life of Faith

The symbolic meaning of Remmon (pomegranate) calls attention to fruitfulness, a frequent biblical metaphor for spiritual maturity, growth, and blessing (Psalm 1; Matthew 7:17-20).

Reflection Questions

1. How does the mention of a small town like Remmon increase your appreciation for the details in God’s Word?

2. What does the concept of inheritance in Joshua teach you about God’s provision and faithfulness?

3. Are there areas of your life where you’re waiting on God’s promises? How does Israel’s inheritance encourage you to trust His timing?

4. How can you live more fruitfully in your Christian walk, as symbolized by the pomegranate?

5. In what ways are you preparing for the eternal inheritance promised through Jesus Christ?

Even the brief mention of Remmon teaches us that nothing in God’s Word is accidental. Every place, every name, every promise—big or small—leads us to see God‘s unfolding story of redemption and our place within it through Jesus Christ.