Meaning of HYSSOP

Aromatic plant from Egypt and Palestine, from the labiate family, which also includes mints.

It is a bush of about 30 to 45 cm. tall, with small, hairy leaves, which clings to walls and rocks (1 Kings 4:33).

A bunch of hyssop was frequently used to perform the sprinkling of atoning blood during the Passover (Ex. 12:22), for the cleansing of a leper (Lev. 14:4-7), or for the cleansing of a pronounced house. leper (Lev. 14:48-53).

Likewise, hyssop was taken to make and apply the water of purification from the ashes of the sorrel heifer (Num. 19:2, 6, 18; cf. Heb. 9:19).

The psalmist cries: "Purify me with hyssop, and I will be clean" (Ps. 51:7), actually thinking of the sprinkling of the blood of atonement made with hyssop, which is the only thing that can cover sin (Heb. 9:22).

When Jesus was nailed to the cross, one brought a sponge soaked in vinegar, attached to a hyssop, to his lips (John 19:29).

On the other hand, in Mt. 27:48 and Mr. 15:36 they speak of a reed. In this regard, it cannot be a contradiction, as some adversaries of the Bible have gratuitously assumed.

The hyssop could have been attached to a reed, or perhaps the word reed could refer to a long branch of hyssop. Haley surmises that the drink was offered twice to Jesus.