or perpendicular to the horizon. The weight itself is sometimes called the plumb bob or plummet. Carpenters, masons and other craftsmen of ancient times used the plummet.

In connection with the rebuilding of the temple in Jerusalem, Zerubbabel is represented as having in hand a plummet, literally, “the stone [or, weight], the tin,” according to the Masoretic text. (Zech. 4:9, 10) As foretold, not only did Zerubbabel lay the temple’s foundation but under his supervision the work was carried to completion.—Ezra 3:8-10; 6:14, 15.

In vision, Amos beheld Jehovah stationed on a wall made with a plummet, and thus one that was originally straight, perpendicular. Jehovah was seen holding a plummet, and the prophet was told that God was setting a plummet in the midst of His people. As Israel did not meet the test of straightness in a spiritual way, not acting in accord with God’s requirements, Jehovah would mete out justice and “no more do any further excusing of it.” Israel’s high places would be laid desolate, her sanctuaries would be devastated, and God would “rise up against the house of Jeroboam with a sword.” (Amos 7:7-9) True to these words, Israel was devastated and Samaria destroyed by the Assyrians in 740 B.C.E.

POCHERETH-HAZZEBAIM

(Poʹche·reth-haz·ze·baʹim) [binder of gazelles; gazelle hunter].

Head of a family whose descendants were among “the sons of the servants of Solomon” returning from the exile under the leadership of Zerubbabel.—Ezra 2:1, 2, 55, 57; Neh. 7:59.

POISON

See VENOM.

POISONOUS PLANT

While some have suggested equating the Hebrew word roʼsh (or, rohsh) with hemlock, colocynth or the poppy, no certain identification of the plant is possible. The Hebrew term at times refers to (1) a bitter and poisonous plant (Lam. 3:5, 19), (2) poison or “venom” (Deut. 32:33; Job 20:16) and, when used in connection with water, (3) poisonous water. (Jer. 8:14; 9:15; 23:15) It appears in an illustrative sense with reference to a perversion of justice (Hos. 10:4; Amos 6:12) and to those who apostatize.—Deut. 29:18; compare Acts 8:23; Hebrews 12:15.

Concerning the Messiah it was foretold that he would be given a “poisonous plant” for food. (Ps. 69:21) This occurred when Jesus Christ, before his impalement, was offered wine mixed with gall but, upon tasting it, refused the stupefying drink that was probably intended to alleviate his sufferings. In recording the fulfillment of this prophecy, Matthew (27:34) employed the Greek word kho·leʹ (gall), the same term found in the Septuagint Version at Psalm 69:21. However, Mark’s Gospel account mentions myrrh (Mark 15:23), and this has given rise to the view that in this case the “poisonous plant” or “gall” was “myrrh.” Another possibility is that the drugged drink may have contained both gall and myrrh.

POLYGAMY

See MARRIAGE.

POMEGRANATE

[Heb., rim·mohnʹ].

By means of Moses, Jehovah promised the nation of Israel that he would bring them into a land of wheat, barley, vines, figs, pomegranates, olives and honey. (Deut. 8:7-9) Prior to this the spies who went into the land had returned with grapes, figs and pomegranates. (Num. 13:2, 23) The Israelites had known the pomegranate in Egypt, as their complaint at Numbers 20:5 indicates. The sleeveless coat of High Priest Aaron’s garments had on its hem a series of pomegranates made of blue thread, reddish-purple wool and scarlet material twisted together and alternating with golden bells. (Ex. 28:33, 34; 39:24-26) Later, when the temple was constructed, the capitals of the two copper pillars on the porch of the house were decorated with chains of pomegranate figures.—1 Ki. 7:18, 20, 42; 2 Ki. 25:17; 2 Chron. 3:16; 4:13; Jer. 52:22, 23.

The pomegranate (Punica granatum) grows throughout the East as a small tree or shrub, seldom passing fifteen feet (4.6 meters) in height. The spreading branches are numerous and bear dark-green lancehead-shaped leaves, and blossoms with coral-red to scarlet flowers. The ripe fruit is of a maroon color, apple-shaped with a rosette or crown extending around the bottom. Within the hard rind it is crowded with small capsules full of juice and each containing a small pink or red seed. The juice makes a refreshing drink (Song of Sol. 8:2), a syrup called grenadine is produced from the seeds, and the blossoms are used in the preparation of an astringent medicine used as a remedy for dysentery. The Shulammite maiden’s veiled temples were compared to a “segment of pomegranate” and her skin to a “paradise of pomegranates.”—Song of Sol. 4:3, 13; 6:7.

The pomegranate was extensively cultivated in Bible times, and the place-names of Rimmon, En-rimmon and Gath-rimmon doubtless derive from the abundance of these trees in their area. (Josh. 15:32; 19:45; Neh. 11:29) The pomegranate tree was much prized and thus is often associated with other important fruit producers such as the vine and the fig tree.—Song of Sol. 7:12, 13; Joel 1:12; Hag. 2:19.

PONTIUS

See PILATE.

PONTUS

(Ponʹtus).

A district of northern Asia Minor along the Euxine (Black Sea). The name evidently was applied first to that part of Cappadocia bordering Pontus Euxinus, as the sea was sometimes called. Pontus ran from the lower course of the Halys River on the W (near Bithynia) eastward along the coast toward the SE limit of the sea. Along the fertile coastline the climate is hot in the summer and severe in the winter. The interior forms the NE corner of the central plateau, broken by many river valleys, and in these grain was grown. The mountain slopes were forested and produced timber for shipbuilding. Along the coast the influence of Greek colonies was felt, but the people of the interior had close ties to Armenia to the E.

After being under Persian influence for a time, the separate kingdom of Pontus was set up in the fourth century B.C.E. There was a succession of kings called Mithradates, and close ties with Rome developed. However, Mithradates Eupator challenged Roman power and expanded his kingdom greatly. After a series of wars the Romans under Pompey defeated him about 64 B.C.E. Much of Pontus was then united with Bithynia to the W into a combined province called Bithynia et Pontus. But the eastern section was added to the province of Galatia (Galatian Pontus). Later some of this eastern part was given to Polemon (c. 37 B.C.E.) to form part of the Kingdom of Polemon. (See maps of Asia Minor, pages 146, 147.) Thus in the first century C.E. the term “Pontus” refers either to the entire geographic area along the coast, or to that part found in the combined province of Bithynia and Pontus, or even to the eastern section that had become part of Galatia and the Kingdom of Polemon.

The first-century Jewish writer Philo said that Jews had spread to every part of Pontus. Jews from Pontus were present in Jerusalem on Pentecost 33 C.E. (Acts 2:9) Possibly some of these Jews of Pontus who heard Peter’s speech became Christians and returned to their home territory. Some thirty years later, Peter addressed his first canonical letter (c. 62-64 C.E.) to “temporary residents scattered about in Pontus” and other parts of Asia Minor. (1 Pet. 1:1) Since he mentioned “older men” who were to shepherd the flock, Christian congregations likely existed in Pontus. (1 Pet. 5:1, 2) The Jew named Aquila who was a native of Pontus traveled to Rome and then to Corinth, where he met the apostle Paul.—Acts 18:1, 2