HYSSOP — a small bushy plant (probably Syrian marjoram rather than true hyssop), used as a BRUSH wherever something is applied for cleansing or covering. Its first use is the most consequential: 'take a bunch of HYSSOP and dip it in the blood… and touch the lintel and the two doorposts' (Exodus 12:22). It reappears in the cleansing of a healed skin disease and of a house (Leviticus 14, now on these pages), in the water of purification (Numbers 19), and in David's plea, 'purge me with HYSSOP and I shall be clean' (Psalm 51:7). ⚠️ At the crucifixion a sponge of sour wine is lifted to Jesus on a hyssop stalk (John 19:29) — the plant of the Passover doorposts, at a Passover. ⚠ And Psalm 51:9 asks for it: 'purge the sin out of me with HYSSOP'. A psalm that nine verses later says God does not want sacrifice opens by asking for the ritual instrument of purification, and does not explain itself. → first discussed at Exod 12:22