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HYSSOP is mentioned several times in the Bible. It was used for sprinkling blood (Exo_12:22), and in the ritual of the cleansing of lepers (Lev_14:4, Num_19:6); it was an insignificant plant growing out of the wall (1Ki_4:33); it could afford a branch strong enough to support a wet sponge (Joh_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.