Understanding the Significance of Hyssop in the Bible
Maybe you’ve wondered why hyssop was mentioned when reading the crucifixion of Jesus or David’s Psalm 51? Maybe you are a Bible nerd like me who likes to understand symbolism in the Bible? Or maybe you want to understand a little more about God’s covenant or Christ’s humiliation and exaltation? If any of these reasons apply keep reading to discover the significance of hyssop. It’s the perfect study to help you prepare for Lent!
The Problem with Blog Posts
My biggest problem with blog posts is that they passively share information. I prefer a classroom or small group setting where you can push students to make connections and come up with the conclusions themselves. Active, engaged study is where the “aha” moments come that are so satisfying both to the teacher and the students. It’s the reward of learning! Unfortunately, blog posts take away the independent discoveries as it’s more of a lecture style format and less inquiry-based learning. If like me you prefer a Bible Study where you are shown the evidence and you can discover the conclusions yourself, check out my Memory Devotional on Psalm 51: 3-7. It’s free for subscribers. Day 6 dives into the concept of hyssop. However, the benefit of blog posts is that they are an expedient way to share information. If you want to glean information quickly about the significance of hyssop in the Bible, keep reading!
What is Hyssop?
Hyssop is a perennial herb in the mint family. It is an evergreen. It has a sweet scent, but a bitter taste.
Hyssop and the Crucifixion of Jesus
“Later, knowing that everything had now been finished, and so that Scripture would be fulfilled, Jesus said, “I am thirsty.” A jar of wine vinegar was there, so they soaked a sponge in it, put the sponge on a stalk of the hyssop plant, and lifted it to Jesus’ lips. When he had received the drink, Jesus said, “It is finished.” With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.”
~John 19: 28-30 (NIV)
You may read John 19: 28-30 and wonder why they put the sponge on a hyssop plant? Was it a cultural thing? Was it a medicinal thing? Why did the Bible even bother to mention it? But then again you might think that if it’s mentioned as one of the last things that Jesus does, it must be important.
As you know the Bible interprets the Bible, so we will explore other places where hyssop is used in the Bible.
Examples of Hyssop in the Bible
The Passover
Hyssop is first used in the Passover in Exodus 12: 22 as a brush to paint the blood on the doorframes.
“Then Moses summoned all the elders of Israel and said to them, “Go at once and select the animals for your families and slaughter the Passover lamb. Take a bunch of hyssop, dip it into the blood in the basin and put some of the blood on the top and on both sides of the doorframe. None of you shall go out of the door of your house until morning. When the Lord goes through the land to strike down the Egyptians, he will see the blood on the top and sides of the doorframe and will pass over that doorway, and he will not permit the destroyer to enter your houses and strike you down.”
~ Exodus 12: 21-23, NIV
Cleansing People from Disease
In Leviticus 14: 1-7, 48-53, hyssop is used in a bird sacrifice along with cedar and a scarlet thread to clean people and houses from disease.
“The priest shall order that two live clean birds and some cedar wood, scarlet yarn and hyssop be brought for the person to be cleansed. Then the priest shall order that one of the birds be killed over fresh water in a clay pot. He is then to take the live bird and dip it, together with the cedar wood, the scarlet yarn and the hyssop, into the blood of the bird that was killed over the fresh water.”
~Leviticus 14: 4-6, NIV
Red Heifer Sacrifice
Hyssop is once again used in Numbers 19: 1-9 for the red heifer sacrifice.
“While he watches, the heifer is to be burned—its hide, flesh, blood and intestines. The priest is to take some cedar wood, hyssop and scarlet wool and throw them onto the burning heifer…… Then a man who is ceremonially clean is to take some hyssop, dip it in the water and sprinkle the tent and all the furnishings and the people who were there. He must also sprinkle anyone who has touched a human bone or a grave or anyone who has been killed or anyone who has died a natural death.”
~Numbers 19: 5, 6, and 18, NIV
For more info on the Red Heifer Sacrifice check out my Numbers 19 Bible Study.
David’s Psalm of Repentance (Psalm 51)
Again, David mentions hyssop in connection with its cleansing process.
“Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean;
~Psalm 51: 7, NIV
wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.”
For more information about Psalm 51, check out my Memory Devotional on Psalm 51: 3-7 which is a free printable for subscribers.
Moses Cleanses with Blood as Stated in Hebrews 9
According to the author of Hebrews, Moses used hyssop in conjunction with blood to establish the covenant and to cleanse. Interestingly enough, the author of Hebrews took Moses’s quote from Exodus 24: 8, and yet Exodus 34 never mentions hyssop. So, it must have been common knowledge in their culture that hyssop and the blood always went together.
“This is why even the first covenant was not put into effect without blood When Moses had proclaimed every command of the law to all the people, he took the blood of calves, together with water, scarlet wool and branches of hyssop, and sprinkled the scroll and all the people. He said, ‘This is the blood of the covenant, which God has commanded you to keep.’In the same way, he sprinkled with the blood both the tabernacle and everything used in its ceremonies. In fact, the law requires that nearly everything be cleansed with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.”
~Hebrews 9: 18-22, NIV
What are the essential elements of a covenant?
Hebrews 9: 18-22 clearly states that you need a sacrifice of blood to create a covenant. However the blood seems to be accompanied by water, scarlet wool, and hyssop. Even Jesus’s blood was mixed with hyssop in John 19: 28-30!
The Lowly Hyssop vs. the Stately Cedar
To understand the significance of hyssop, it might be helpful to compare it to the stately cedar tree. King Solomon implies that the two plants are opposite in each other in 1 Kings 4: 33a.
“[Solomon] spoke about plant life, from the cedar of Lebanon to the hyssop that grows out of walls.”
~1 Kings 4:33a, NIV
Notice the hyssop plant is so small, it can grow through the cracks in the walls. Yet cedar trees often represent pride as in Isaiah 2:12-13 and Ezekiel 31: 3-6, 10. In contrast to cedars, hyssop is lowly and humble plant.
Here is an insightful quote from Jewish teaching that might help frame the symbolism behind hyssop:
“The lowly hyssop bush grows just a few inches above the ground. It is constantly trampled on by others, sways easily in the wind, and when it rains is forced to wallow in the mud surrounding it. The hyssop symbolizes to the metzora that true penitence will be achieved when he achieves the humility of the hyssop.”
~http://www.jewishpress.com/judaism/parsha/parshas-tazria-metzora-universal-humility/2015/04/24/
Reflection Questions
- Based on what you learned so far, why was hyssop an important part of the sacrifice?
- How did Christ’s life exemplify that of a hyssop plant?
- Are you more of a hyssop or a cedar? Explain.
Christ’s Humiliation vs Exaltation
Read Philippians 2: 6-11. Then consider how the lofty cedars, the scarlet thread, and the hyssop used in the sacrifice compare to Christ?
“Who, being in very nature God,
~Philippians 2: 6-11,NIV
did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage;
rather, he made himself nothing
by taking the very nature of a servant,
being made in human likeness.
And being found in appearance as a man,
he humbled himself
by becoming obedient to death—
even death on a cross!
Therefore God exalted him to the highest place
and gave him the name that is above every name,
that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,
in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord,
to the glory of God the Father.”
A Contrite Spirit Leads to Clean Hearts and Effective Ministry
What does Christ’s sacrifice gain us according to Psalm 51: 10-12?
“Create in me a pure heart, O God,
~Psalm 51: 10-12, NIV
and renew a steadfast spirit within me.
Do not cast me from your presence
or take your Holy Spirit from me.
Restore to me the joy of your salvation
and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.”
What is the only thing that God really requires of us according to Psalm 51: 16-17?
“You do not delight in sacrifice, or I would bring it;
~Psalm 51: 16-17, NIV
you do not take pleasure in burnt offerings.
My sacrifice, O God, is a broken spirit;
a broken and contrite heart
you, God, will not despise.”
Because of this how should we respond according to Psalm 51: 13-15?
“Then I will teach transgressors your ways,
~Psalm 51: 13-15, NIV
so that sinners will turn back to you.
Deliver me from the guilt of bloodshed, O God,
you who are God my Savior,
and my tongue will sing of your righteousness.
Open my lips, Lord,
and my mouth will declare your praise.”
How can you apply this truth to your life this week?
Hyssop and the Grace of the Gospel
What is the significance of hyssop? It is humility mixed with sacrifice. We can sacrifice in a self-righteous manner as did the Pharisees. Or we can sacrifice for other with humility. When we sacrifice with a self-righteous attitude we delusionally think that we can keep the law or that we are above it. But when we sacrifice with humility, we understand the grace of God and the Gospel of Christ. Our hyssop sacrifices are an outflowing of the undeserved grace that God had given us.
As someone who serves regularly, I know that I oftentimes mix my sacrifices with cedar instead of the hyssop. I need to continually remind myself of my true state so that I can teach and praise God. What about you?
If you want this lesson in study form to share with a friend or small group, see Day 6 of the Genesis 4 Homework on Psalm 51: 3-7. If you want it nicely formatted, subscribe to get Memory Devotional on Psalm 51: 3-7.
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Only Annie Cannelongo could put together such diverse Biblical references about an obscure plant into an entertaining and educational Bible lesson. She has a remarkable talent. Keep up the good work.