Hyssop and Cedar

Hyssop is an easily grown mint-family herb common in Palestine. In a suitable environment, it can grow to a height of one and a half to three feet. Its stalk is tough, which is why the Chinese name literally means “ox-knee,” as an ox’s knee is a strong point. The plant often grows in cracks in walls and rocks. Because the entire hyssop plant is covered in fine hairs and has dense leaves, a bundle of its leaves can hold a lot of water, making it suitable for sprinkling and cleansing. Early nomadic peoples may have used it to sprinkle water or clean their tents.

Hyssop appears 12 times in the Bible. In the book of 1 Kings, it is used to demonstrate King Solomon’s vast wisdom. In the Gospel of John, soldiers use it to hold a sponge soaked in sour wine to give to Jesus. All other references show it being dipped in blood or water as a tool for ceremonial cleansing in the Old Testament (Leviticus 14; Numbers 19). David’s prayer of repentance, “Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean” (Psalm 51:7), does not mean hyssop itself has cleansing power. Instead, it refers to using hyssop to apply the blood of a sacrificial animal, which prefigures the cleansing of our sins by the precious blood of the Lord Jesus. Hyssop itself does not bring salvation; the precious blood of the Lamb, Jesus, does.

The Bible describes King Solomon’s wisdom and extensive knowledge, saying, “He spoke of trees, from the cedar that is in Lebanon to the hyssop that grows out of the wall…” (1 Kings 4:33). The cedar tree mentioned in the Bible is primarily found in Lebanon, north of Israel. Because of its fragrant aroma and sturdy wood, with a large trunk, people at that time preferred it over other types of wood for construction. Old Testament prophets used this “king of trees” to symbolize worldly power, authority, and splendor. Kings of various nations vied to conquer the mountains of Lebanon to obtain this wood for their palaces. King Solomon also asked King Hiram of Tyre to transport Lebanese cedar trees to prepare for building the Temple (1 Kings 5:6). While the cedar is the noble king of trees, the hyssop is seemingly insignificant. Yet, both of these plants, though vastly different in value, were used by God. Christians are like the humble hyssop; God has actively chosen us to be instruments used by Him. We should remember our position and remain humble and obedient, serving as a conduit for the good news of Christ’s salvation.

Spiritual Application：

1 Exodus records that the Lord instructed Moses to tell the Israelites to “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” (Exodus 12:22). Moses led several million Israelites out of Egypt, which would have meant nearly 100,000 families. It would have been difficult to acquire tools for applying the blood for so many families in just a few days. However, hyssop, which grows on walls or roofs, could be easily picked from the walls of each home, serving this purpose perfectly.

2 The cedar tree and the hyssop each have different functions and characteristics. Hyssop, though insignificant in human eyes, was used by God alongside the noble cedar. This demonstrates the wisdom of God’s creation. What kind of vessel the Lord molds us into is not a matter of value, but whether we are useful to Him!