“…from the cedar of Lebanon to the hyssop that grows in the rocks.” 1 Kings 5:13 (NIV)Hyssopus Officinalis ~ hyssop ~ the purple-spiked, fragrant, culinary and medicinal herb is mint-flavored and slightly bitter. The hyssop of our gardens today is not native to either Israel or Egypt, for the Biblical plant is native to the Mediterranean area.
The word “hyssop” is of Greek origin – hussopos. This supposedly referred to Hyssopos of Dioscorides, named from azob, a holy herb that was said to be used for cleaning sacred places.
Hyssop, ezov in Hebrew, za’atar in Arabic, is a plant with a woody stem and branches. Because neither its leaves nor its flowers are outstanding, they need very little room to grow.
Hyssop, ezov in Hebrew, za’atar in Arabic, is a plant with a woody stem and branches. Because neither its leaves nor its flowers are outstanding, they need very little room to grow.
For thousands of years it has been used in Middle Eastern and Arabic cooking. Hyssop is a protected plant in Israel, but can be bought dry at the market, or enjoyed as ready-made Za’atar, sprinkled on a pita bread or in salads.
In Biblical times it was a well known plant, and may have been commercially available for the children of Israel before God led them out of Egypt.
God told the Israelites:
In Biblical times it was a well known plant, and may have been commercially available for the children of Israel before God led them out of Egypt.
God told the Israelites:
“And you shall take a bunch of hyssop, dip it in the blood that is in the basin and strike the lintel and the two doorposts with the blood that is in the basin. And none of you shall go out of the door of his house until morning.” Exodus 12:22 ( NIV)
Each year the Exodus is commemorated by the Jewish people during the Pesach holiday.
The Samaritans living on Mount Gerazim (Samaria, Israel) still carry out the laws of the Pentateuch exactly as written, and use hyssop for their Passover rites.
The Law of Moses, gave clear guidance in matters of health, which centuries later scientist had to admit would have saved many people’s lives had they abided by these God-given rules of living. For the Israelites, hygiene was of utmost importance while living and traveling in the desert with so many people. When someone was healed of a skin disease, this is what had to be done:
“Then the priest shall command to take for him who is to be cleansed two living and clean birds, cedar wood, scarlet, and hyssop. And the priest shall command that one of the birds be killed in an earthen vessel over running water. As for the living bird, he shall take it, the cedar wood and the scarlet and the hyssop and dip them and the living bird in the blood of the bird that was killed over the running water.” Leviticus 14:4-6
Later, the Jewish priests used the strong-smelling hyssop to cleanse the Jerusalem temple. Today, Roman Catholic priests wave the hyssop holy water sprinkler towards the congregants as a symbolic cleansing.
Hyssop was a well-known plant in ancient times. King Solomon, famous for describing plant life, also mentioned the hyssop:
“Also he spoke of trees, from the cedar tree of Lebanon even to the hyssop that springs out of the wall; he spoke also of animals, of birds, of creeping things, and of fish.” 1 Kings 4:33
In ancient times hyssop was used for medical purposes, from treating sore throats to the healing of wounds and bruises. Research carried out at the Hebrew University in Jerusalem has shown that hyssop does have infection-fighting properties.
Because of its camphor-like odor, in 17th century Europe hyssop was a popular air freshener (used as a potpourri) and also used to improve the smell of sick rooms.
Jewish tradition symbolizes pride with the lofty cedar tree, while the lowly hyssop represents modesty and humility.
When a leper was confirmed healed, the cleansing ritual consisted of using cedar wood and hyssop. Rabbi Isaac bar Tavlai explained, “This is because the leper had been proud like a cedar, but God humbled him like hyssop, that is crushed by everyone.”
According to tradition, when the High Priest made atonement for the sin of the people on Yom Kippur (day of Atonement) by offering the needed sacrifices, the scarlet woolen string that was tied to the Temple door turned white.
David probably refers to this, when he writes,
“Purify me with hyssop till I am clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow,” Psalm 51:7.
Prior to their Exodus from Egypt, in order to protect them against the angel of death, the Israelites were told to smear the blood of the Pascal lamb with a bunch of hyssop on the doorpost of their houses.
While Jesus hung on the cross,”… a vessel full of sour wine was sitting there; and they filled a sponge with sour wine, put it on hyssop and put it to His mouth.” John 19:29
Jesus, the unblemished Pesach Lamb, gave himself to be sacrificed. By shedding his blood for us we are cleansed from our sins; as if purified with hyssop, we are washed and whiter than snow.
The Samaritans living on Mount Gerazim (Samaria, Israel) still carry out the laws of the Pentateuch exactly as written, and use hyssop for their Passover rites.
The Law of Moses, gave clear guidance in matters of health, which centuries later scientist had to admit would have saved many people’s lives had they abided by these God-given rules of living. For the Israelites, hygiene was of utmost importance while living and traveling in the desert with so many people. When someone was healed of a skin disease, this is what had to be done:
“Then the priest shall command to take for him who is to be cleansed two living and clean birds, cedar wood, scarlet, and hyssop. And the priest shall command that one of the birds be killed in an earthen vessel over running water. As for the living bird, he shall take it, the cedar wood and the scarlet and the hyssop and dip them and the living bird in the blood of the bird that was killed over the running water.” Leviticus 14:4-6
Later, the Jewish priests used the strong-smelling hyssop to cleanse the Jerusalem temple. Today, Roman Catholic priests wave the hyssop holy water sprinkler towards the congregants as a symbolic cleansing.
Hyssop was a well-known plant in ancient times. King Solomon, famous for describing plant life, also mentioned the hyssop:
“Also he spoke of trees, from the cedar tree of Lebanon even to the hyssop that springs out of the wall; he spoke also of animals, of birds, of creeping things, and of fish.” 1 Kings 4:33
In ancient times hyssop was used for medical purposes, from treating sore throats to the healing of wounds and bruises. Research carried out at the Hebrew University in Jerusalem has shown that hyssop does have infection-fighting properties.
Because of its camphor-like odor, in 17th century Europe hyssop was a popular air freshener (used as a potpourri) and also used to improve the smell of sick rooms.
Jewish tradition symbolizes pride with the lofty cedar tree, while the lowly hyssop represents modesty and humility.
When a leper was confirmed healed, the cleansing ritual consisted of using cedar wood and hyssop. Rabbi Isaac bar Tavlai explained, “This is because the leper had been proud like a cedar, but God humbled him like hyssop, that is crushed by everyone.”
According to tradition, when the High Priest made atonement for the sin of the people on Yom Kippur (day of Atonement) by offering the needed sacrifices, the scarlet woolen string that was tied to the Temple door turned white.
David probably refers to this, when he writes,
“Purify me with hyssop till I am clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow,” Psalm 51:7.
Prior to their Exodus from Egypt, in order to protect them against the angel of death, the Israelites were told to smear the blood of the Pascal lamb with a bunch of hyssop on the doorpost of their houses.While Jesus hung on the cross,”… a vessel full of sour wine was sitting there; and they filled a sponge with sour wine, put it on hyssop and put it to His mouth.” John 19:29
Jesus, the unblemished Pesach Lamb, gave himself to be sacrificed. By shedding his blood for us we are cleansed from our sins; as if purified with hyssop, we are washed and whiter than snow.
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1 comment:
I love this! In fact, it is truths like this that make the Word so alive and so full! I believe there is NOTHING used by God coincidentally, but rather everything has a meaning that proves to confirm the Word of Truth. The Word is RICH with symbolism that points to the glory of our Creator! Thank yo SO much!
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