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Bible Dictionaries
Hyssop
Watson's Biblical & Theological Dictionary
or אזוב Exodus 12:22; Leviticus 14:4; Leviticus 14:6; Leviticus 14:49; Leviticus 14:51-52; Numbers 19:6; Numbers 19:18; 1 Kings 4:33; Psalms 51:7; Matthew 27:48; Mark 15:36; υσσωπος , John 19:29; Hebrews 9:19 . It grows plentifully on the mountains near Jerusalem. It is of a bitter taste; and, from being considered as possessing detersive and cleansing qualities, derived probably its Hebrew name. The original word has been variously translated; and Celsius has devoted forty-two pages to remove difficulties, occasioned by the discordant opinions of the Talmudical writers, and to ascertain the plant intended. That it is the hyssop seems most probable: the passage in Hebrews 9:19 , sufficiently identifies it. Under the law, it was commonly used in purifications as a sprinkler. When the children of Israel came out of Egypt, they were commanded to take a bunch of hyssop, to dip it in the blood of the paschal lamb, and sprinkle it on the lintel and the two side-posts of the door. It was also used in sprinkling the leper. The hyssop is extremely well adapted to such purposes, as it grows in bunches, and puts out many suckers from a single root.
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Watson, Richard. Entry for 'Hyssop'. Richard Watson's Biblical & Theological Dictionary. https://www.studylight.org/dictionaries/eng/wtd/h/hyssop.html. 1831-2.
