HYSSOP is mentioned several times in the Bible. It was used for sprinkling blood ( Exodus 12:22 ), and in the ritual of the cleansing of lepers ( Leviticus 14:4 , Numbers 19:6 ); it was an insignificant plant growing out of the wall ( 1 Kings 4:33 ); it could afford a branch strong enough to support a wet sponge ( John 19:29 ). It is possible that all these references are not to a single species. Among many suggested plants the most probable is either a species of marjoram, e.g., Origanum maru , or the common caper-plant ( Capparis spinosa ), which may be seen growing out of crevices in walls all over Palestine. See Caper-berry.
E. W. G. Masterman.