Hyssop

According to Nave's Topical Bible, the hyssop is mentioned in these seven books: 1 Kings 4:33; Leviticus 14:4,6,51,52; Hebrews 9:19; Numbers 19:6; John 19:29; Psalms 51:7 and Exodus 12.


22 Drain each lamb's blood into a basin. Then take a cluster of hyssop branches and dip it into the lamb's blood. Strike the hyssop against the top and sides of the doorframe, staining it with the blood. And remember, no one is allowed to leave the house until morning.

23 For the LORD will pass through the land and strike down the Egyptians. But when he sees the blood on the top and sides of the doorframe, the LORD will pass over your home. He will not permit the Destroyer to enter and strike down your firstborn. 24 "Remember, these instructions are permanent and must be observed by you and your descendants forever. 25 When you arrive in the land the LORD has promised to give you, you will continue to celebrate this festival.


26 Then your children will ask, 'What does all this mean? What is this ceremony about?' 27 And you will reply, 'It is the celebration of the LORD's Passover, for he passed over the homes of the Israelites in Egypt. And though he killed the Egyptians, he spared our families and did not destroy us.'" Then all the people bowed their heads and worshiped. 28 So the people of Israel did just as the LORD had commanded through Moses and Aaron.

A plant indigenous to western Asia and northern Africa, it was used in purification rituals and sacrifices of separation and in giving Jesus vinegar on the cross.

Perhaps most importantly, when Christians think of "hyssop" they remember it in conjunction with Passover, the most important of annual Jewish festivals. It is kept in remembrance of the Lord's passing over the homes of the Israelites when the first born of all the Egyptians were killed.