"hyssop, in NT, however, not the plant usually so named, but probably the caper plant; a bunch of hyssop, Heb. 9:19; a hyssop stalk, Jn. 19:29*"
Definition and meaning
hyssop, in NT, however, not the plant usually so named, but probably the caper plant; a bunch of hyssop, Heb. 9:19; a hyssop stalk, Jn. 19:29*
In the original Greek the word is written: ὕσσωπος
Historical context
John wrote for an audience familiar with both Jewish Scripture and Greek philosophy. The logos — the Word — was a term Greek philosophers used for the rational principle underlying the universe. John takes that concept and says: that logos became a person and lived among us. Crucifixion was the Roman execution method designed to maximize public humiliation, reserved for slaves and rebels.
The people who first heard this word were not reading a book — they were living through empires, oppression, exile, and covenant. Every word carried the weight of that reality. Understanding it changes how you read Scripture.
Scripture references
These are the most notable occurrences of hyssopos (G5301) across the King James Bible.
Now there was set a vessel full of vinegar: and they filled a spunge with vinegar, and put it upon hyssop, and put it to his mouth.
For when Moses had spoken every precept to all the people according to the law, he took the blood of calves and of goats, with water, and scarlet wool, and hyssop, and sprinkled both the book, and all the people,
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Common questions
Strong's G5301 (hyssopos) is a Greek word that means: hyssop, in NT, however, not the plant usually so named, but probably the caper plant; a bunch of hyssop, Heb. 9:19; a hyssop stalk, Jn. 19:29* It appears 2 times in the King James Bible.
The word hyssopos (G5301) appears 2 times in the original Greek text.
Strong's G5301 is hyssopos, a Greek word defined as: hyssop, in NT, however, not the plant usually so named, but probably the caper plant; a bunch of hyssop, Heb. 9:19; a hyssop stalk, Jn. 19:29*. James Strong catalogued this in his 1890 concordance to help English readers study the original languages of the Bible.
hyssopos is a Greek word found in the New Testament.