Hyssop Use in the Bible

• Ritual uses of hyssop
• Other uses of hyssop

Ritual Uses of Hyssop

When the prophet Nathan came to David after David had committed adultery with Bathsheba, David sang: "Have mercy on me, God, . . . Cleanse me with hyssop, and I'll be clean; wash me, and I'll be whiter than snow." [Psalm 51, excerpt]

Hyssop

Hyssop according to Maude Grieve

Mrs. Grieve's online book A Modern Herbal was first published in 1931, and contains folklore of herbs among other things. Below are excerpts:

Tradition identifies the Hyssop of Scripture with the familiar herb, Marjoram (origanum). Dr. J. F. Royle disagrees, and identifies the Hyssop of the Bible with the Caper-plant (Capparis spinosa). This view is supported by Canon Tristram and others. The Arabs call it azaf.

The best-known species of hyssop today is the herb Hyssop (Hyssopus officinalis). The healing virtues of hyssop are due to a particular volatile oil, which is stimulative, carminative and sudorific.

The leaves, stems and flowers of Hyssopus officinalis possess a highly aromatic odour and yield by distillation an essential oil of exceedingly fine odour which is much appreciated by perfumers. Its value is even greater than Oil of Lavender, says Mrs. Grieve in A Modern Herbal.

Grieve, Maude. A Modern Herbal, Vol 1. New York: Dover, 1972.

Grieve, Maude. A Modern Herbal, Vol 2. New York: Dover, 2009.

Mrs. Grieves's work is also online at Botanical.com. 1995-2010. Her work was first published in 1931, and contains medicinal, culinary, cosmetic and economic properties, cultivation and folklore of herbs, reflecting the knowledge at that time, as well as the lack of it. [www.botanical.com/botanical/mgmh/mgmh.html].

Huvs: Marcussen, Marcus: Helbredende urter: Deres virkning, sammensetning og anvendelse. Bye og Børresen. Oslo, 1950:35.

Tih: Hoffmann, David: The Complete Illustrated Herbal: A Safe and Practial Guide to Making and Using Herbal Remedies. Mustard/Parragon. Bath, 1999:104.