Topical Encyclopedia
Hyssop is a plant mentioned frequently in the Bible, known for its use in religious rituals and symbolic significance. It is often associated with purification and cleansing, both physically and spiritually. The plant is believed to be a small bushy herb, possibly Origanum syriacum or a similar species, native to the Middle East.
Biblical References and Uses:1.
Passover Rituals: Hyssop first appears in the Bible in the context of the Passover in Egypt. In
Exodus 12:22, the Israelites are instructed to use a bunch of hyssop to apply the blood of the Passover lamb to the doorposts and lintels of their homes: "Take a cluster of hyssop, dip it in the blood in the basin, and brush the lintel and the two doorposts with some of the blood in the basin. None of you shall go out the door of his house until morning." This act was a sign for the Lord to pass over the houses of the Israelites during the final plague.
2.
Purification Ceremonies: Hyssop is also used in various purification rites. In
Leviticus 14:4-6, it is part of the cleansing ritual for a person healed of leprosy: "the priest shall order that two live clean birds, cedar wood, scarlet yarn, and hyssop be brought for the one to be cleansed." Similarly, in
Numbers 19:18, hyssop is used in the preparation of the water of purification: "Then a man who is clean is to take hyssop, dip it in the water, and sprinkle the tent and all the furnishings and the people who were there."
3.
Symbol of Spiritual Cleansing: In
Psalm 51:7, David uses hyssop metaphorically to express his desire for spiritual cleansing: "Purify me with hyssop, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow." This verse highlights the symbolic use of hyssop as a means of purification from sin.
4.
Crucifixion of Jesus: In the New Testament, hyssop is mentioned in the account of Jesus' crucifixion.
John 19:29 states, "A jar of sour wine was sitting there. So they soaked a sponge in the wine, put it on a stalk of hyssop, and lifted it to His mouth." This act fulfilled the prophecy and symbolized the completion of the sacrificial system through Christ's atoning death.
Cultural and Historical Context:Hyssop's significance in biblical times extended beyond its ritual use. It was valued for its aromatic properties and potential medicinal benefits. The plant's ability to grow in rocky and arid conditions made it accessible for various uses, including as a cleansing agent.
Theological Significance:Hyssop's repeated use in purification rituals underscores the biblical theme of holiness and the need for cleansing from sin. It serves as a tangible representation of the spiritual purification that God provides. The use of hyssop in the Passover and its connection to the crucifixion of Jesus further illustrate the continuity of God's redemptive plan from the Old Testament to the New Testament.
In summary, hyssop is a multifaceted symbol in the Bible, representing physical and spiritual purification, and it plays a significant role in the narrative of redemption and atonement.
Easton's Bible Dictionary
(Hebrews `ezob; LXX. hyssopos), first mentioned in
Exodus 12:22 in connection with the institution of the Passover. We find it afterwards mentioned in
Leviticus 14:4, 6, 52;
Numbers 19:6, 18;
Hebrews 9:19. It is spoken of as a plant "springing out of the wall" (
1 Kings 4:33). Many conjectures have been formed as to what this plant really was. Some contend that it was a species of marjoram (origanum), six species of which are found in Palestine. Others with more probability think that it was the caper plant, the Capparis spinosa of Linnaeus. This plant grew in Egypt, in the desert of Sinai, and in Palestine. It was capable of producing a stem three or four feet in length (
Matthew 27:48;
Mark 15:36.Comp.
John 19:29).
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
(
n.) A plant (Hyssopus officinalis). The leaves have an aromatic smell, and a warm, pungent taste.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
HYSSOPhis'-up ('ezobh; hussspos,Exodus 12:22Leviticus 14:4, 6, 4:9;Numbers 19:6, 181 Kings 4:33;Psalm 51:7John 19:29Hebrews 9:19): A plant used for ritual cleansing purposes; a humble plant springing out of the wall (1 Kings 4:33), the extreme contrast to the cedar.
The common hyssop (Hyssopus officinalis) of the Natural Order Labiatae, an aromatic plant with stomatic properties, cannot be the hyssop of the Bible as it is unknown in Palestine, but allied aromatic plants of the same Natural Order have by Maimonides (Neg. xiv.6) and other Jewish writers been identified with it. Probably hyssop is identical with the Arabic zat`ar, a name applied to a group of aromatic plants of the genus marjoram and thyme. They would any of them furnish a bunch suitable for sprinkling, and they have the important recommendation that they grow everywhere, being found even in the desert. Post thinks of all varieties the Origanum maru, a special variety of marjoram which favors terrace walls and rocks, is the most probable.
The proposal (Royle, Jour. Royal Asiatic Soc., VII, 193-213) to identify the caper (Capparis spinosa) with hyssop, which has been popularized by the works of Tristram, has not much to recommend it. It is true that the caper is very commonly seen growing out of walls all over Palestine (1 Kings 4:33), but in no other respect is it suitable to the requirements of the Biblical references. The supposed similarity between the Arabic 'acaf ("caper") and the Hebrew 'ezobh is fanciful; the caper with its stiff, prickly stems and smooth, flat leaves would not furnish a bunch for sprinkling as serviceable as many species of zat`ar. It has been specially urged that the hyssop suits the conditions ofJohn 19:29, it being maintained that a stem of caper would make a good object on which to raise the "sponge full of vinegar" to the Saviour's face, the equivalent of the "reed" ofMatthew 27:48Mark 15:36. For such a purpose the flexible, prickly stems of the hyssop would be most unsuitable; indeed, it would be no easy matter to find one of sufficient length. It is necessary to suppose either that a bunch of hyssop accompanied the sponge with the vinegar upon the reed, or, as has been proposed by several writers (for references see article "Hyssop," EB), that hussopo is a corruption of husso, "javelin," and that the passage should read "They put a sponge full of vinegar upon a javelin."
E. W. G. Masterman
Greek
5301. hussopos --hyssop...hyssop. Part of Speech: Noun, Masculine Transliteration: hussopos Phonetic Spelling:
(hoos'-so-pos) Short Definition:
hyssop Definition:
hyssop, a stalk or stem
...Strong's Hebrew
231. ezob --hyssop... 230, 231. ezob. 232 .
hyssop. Transliteration: ezob Phonetic Spelling:
(ay-zobe') Short Definition:
hyssop. Word Origin of foreign
...229. Ezbay -- the father of one of David's men
... Ezbai. Probably from 'ezowb;hyssop-like; Ezbai, an Israelite -- Ezbai. see
HEBREW 'ezowb. 228, 229. Ezbay. 230 . Strong's Numbers.
Library
The Red Heifer a Type of Christ.
... slay and burn it, and, that then boys should take the ashes, and put these into
vessels, and bind round a stick [1542] purple wool along withhyssop, and that...
The First Stage in the Leper's Cleansing
... the leper; 4. Then shall the priest command to take for him that is to be cleansed
two birds alive and clean, and cedar-wood, and scarlet, andhyssop: 5. And...
What Kind of Spirit is Required for the Study of Holy Scripture.
... who celebrated the passover at that time in type and shadow, when they were ordered
to mark their door-posts with the blood of the lamb, usedhyssop to mark...
But when the Student of the Holy Scriptures...
... who celebrated the Passover at that time in type and shadow, when they were ordered
to mark their door-posts with the blood of the lamb, usedhyssop to mark...
Hebrews ix. 15-18
... Moses had spoken every precept to all the people according to the law, he took the
blood of calves, with water, and scarlet wool, andhyssop, and sprinkled...
John Chapter xix. 24-30.
... Now there was set a vessel full of vinegar: and they filled a sponge with
vinegar, and fixed it uponhyssop, and put it to His mouth....
On Baptism.
... 1. Rejoice, ye heavens, and let the earth be glad [566] , for those who are to be
sprinkled withhyssop, and cleansed with the spiritual [567]hyssop, the...
The Three Witnesses
... that there was no putting away of sin except with these three things; in proof of
which we will quote David's prayer, "Purge me withhyssop""that is, the...
The Knowledge Both of Language and Things is Helpful for the...
... Many, again, by reason of their ignorance ofhyssop, not knowing the virtue it has
in cleansing the lungs, nor the power it is said to have of piercing rocks...
Ignorance of Things, Too, Renders Figurative Expressions Obscure.....
... Many, again, by reason of their ignorance ofhyssop, not knowing the virtue it has
in cleansing the lungs, nor the power it is said to have of piercing rocks...
Thesaurus
Hyssop (12 Occurrences)...HYSSOP.
... Probably
hyssop is identical with the Arabic zat`ar, a name applied to
a group of aromatic plants of the genus marjoram and thyme.
...Cedar-wood (22 Occurrences)
... Leviticus 14:4 then shall the priest command to take for him that is to be cleansed
two clean living birds, and cedar-wood, and scarlet, andhyssop....
Cedarwood (5 Occurrences)
... Leviticus 14:4 then shall the priest command to take for him that is to be cleansed
two living clean birds, and cedar-wood, and scarlet, andhyssop. (See RSV)....
Thread (32 Occurrences)
... Leviticus 14:4 Then the priest is to give orders to take, for him who is to be made
clean, two living clean birds and some cedar wood and red thread andhyssop...
String (12 Occurrences)
... Leviticus 14:4 then the priest shall command them to take for him who is to be cleansed
two living clean birds, and cedar wood, and scarlet, andhyssop....
Cedar (61 Occurrences)
... ment Leviticus 14:4 the cleansed leper was sprinkled with the blood of a "clean
bird" into which had been put "cedar-wood, and scarlet, andhyssop." In Numbers...
Yarn (37 Occurrences)
... Leviticus 14:4 then the priest shall command them to take for him who is to be cleansed
two living clean birds, and cedar wood, and scarlet, andhyssop....
Dip (17 Occurrences)
... Exodus 12:22 You shall take a bunch ofhyssop, and dip it in the blood that is in
the basin, and strike the lintel and the two doorposts with the blood that is...
Scarlet (54 Occurrences)
... spoken by Moses to all the people according to the law, he took the blood of the
calves and the goats, with water and scarlet wool andhyssop, and sprinkled...
Dipped (17 Occurrences)
... Exodus 12:22 and ye have taken a bunch ofhyssop, and have dipped 'it' in the blood
which 'is' in the basin, and have struck 'it' on the lintel, and on the two...
Resources
What is hyssop? What was hyssop used for in the Bible? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is the significance of a red heifer in the Bible? Is a red heifer a sign of the end times? | GotQuestions.orgMiscellaneous Bible Questions (All) | GotQuestions.orgHyssop: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
Bible Dictionary •
Bible Encyclopedia •
Topical Bible •
Bible Thesuarus
