Hyssop

(Heb. ‘ezob; LXX. hyssopos), first mentioned in Ex. 12:22 in connection with the institution of the Passover. We find it afterwards mentioned in Lev. 14:4, 6, 52; Num. 19:6, 18; Heb. 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 (Matt. 27:48; Mark 15:36. Comp. John 19:29).

(Heb. ezob.) The ezob was used for sprinkling in some of the sacrifices and purifications of the Jews. In consequence of its detergent qualities, or from its being associated with the purificatory Services, the psalmist makes use of the expression, “Purge me with ezob .” (Psalms 51:7) It is described in (1 Kings 4:33) as growing on or near walls. (Besides being thus fit for sprinkling, having cleansing properties and growing on walls, the true hyssop should be a plant common to Egypt, Sinai and Palestine, and capable of producing a stick three or four feet long since on a stalk of hyssop the sponge of vinegar was held up to Christ on the cross. (John 19:29) it is impossible to precisely identify the plant because the name was given not to a particular plant but to a family of plants associated together by Hyssop, qualities easily noticed rather than by close botanical affinities. Different species of the family may have been used at different times. The hyssop of the Bible is probably one (or all) of three plants:—

HYS'SOP, Ex 12:22. A plant often used in the ceremonies of purification. Lev 14:4, Lev 14:6, Lev 14:51; Ps 51:7. One of its characteristics is referred to in 1 Kgs 4:33. It is associated with our Saviour's last hours, John 19:29. More than twenty different plants have been urged as the species intended, Tristram and other recent authorities favor the caper-bush. But Dr. Post of Beirut, Syria, in the Sunday-School World for March, 1879, argues very conclusively, on philological and other grounds, in favor of a species of marjoram. For such reasons, he says, "hyssop should be a labiate plant with aromatic odor and capable of furnishing a reed-like stem suitable for binding the sponge upon and presenting it to the mouth of Jesus, John 19:29. Of the labiatc plants of Palestine, none so well fulfils these indications as the Origanum maru, the Sdfitar of the Arabs. Its thyme-like odor and pungent taste would have aided with the vinegar to assuage thirst. Most labiates have similar properties. Scarlet wool and hyssop were early associated in the ceremonial act of purification. It is remarkable that thymol, a product of a plant closely allied to the hyssop and origanum, is now extensively used as an antiseptic." He further adds upon the passage in John (above):" There is nothing in the narrative that would forbid the idea of the sponge saturated with vinegar having been bound with a bunch of hyssops on an ordinary reed (comp. Mark 15:36), in which case there would be no need of supposing the hyssop to have a reedlike stem." Bochart also decides in favor of the marjoram, or some plant like it. Ancient tradition likewise points to the same conclusion. The Hebrew word was probably applied to aromatic plants of the hyssop family, and not alone to one particular herb; this family is destitute of deleterious secretions, and the plants are fragrant as well as aromatic. As this family of plants abounds in Syria and the Sinaitic peninsula, Origanum maru, or Hyssop. there seems to be no valid objection to Dr. Post's view.

HYS'SOP, Ex 12:22. A plant often used in the ceremonies of purification. Lev 14:4, Lev 14:6, Lev 14:51; Ps 51:7. One of its characteristics is referred to in 1 Kgs 4:33. It is associated with our Saviour's last hours, John 19:29. More than twenty different plants have been urged as the species intended, Tristram and other recent authorities favor the caper-bush. But Dr. Post of Beirut, Syria, in the Sunday-School World for March, 1879, argues very conclusively, on philological and other grounds, in favor of a species of marjoram. For such reasons, he says, "hyssop should be a labiate plant with aromatic odor and capable of furnishing a reed-like stem suitable for binding the sponge upon and presenting it to the mouth of Jesus, John 19:29. Of the labiatc plants of Palestine, none so well fulfils these indications as the Origanum maru, the Sdfitar of the Arabs. Its thyme-like odor and pungent taste would have aided with the vinegar to assuage thirst. Most labiates have similar properties. Scarlet wool and hyssop were early associated in the ceremonial act of purification. It is remarkable that thymol, a product of a plant closely allied to the hyssop and origanum, is now extensively used as an antiseptic." He further adds upon the passage in John (above):" There is nothing in the narrative that would forbid the idea of the sponge saturated with vinegar having been bound with a bunch of hyssops on an ordinary reed (comp. Mark 15:36), in which case there would be no need of supposing the hyssop to have a reedlike stem." Bochart also decides in favor of the marjoram, or some plant like it. Ancient tradition likewise points to the same conclusion. The Hebrew word was probably applied to aromatic plants of the hyssop family, and not alone to one particular herb; this family is destitute of deleterious secretions, and the plants are fragrant as well as aromatic. As this family of plants abounds in Syria and the Sinaitic peninsula, Origanum maru, or Hyssop. there seems to be no valid objection to Dr. Post's view.

Part of speech: noun (n.)

A plant (Hyssopus officinalis). The leaves have an aromatic smell, and a warm, pungent taste.