← H230 H232 →

אֵזוֹב

𐤀𐤆𐤅𐤁

ʼêzôwb

H231 noun

SILEX Entry

Definition

A herbaceous plant (hyssop), traditionally associated with ritual purification practices in the Hebrew Bible, particularly in rites for cleansing individuals or objects deemed ritually impure. While the precise botanical identification is debated, the term refers generally to a plant used in sprinkling ceremonies, especially in contexts of purification from disease, contact with death, or preparation for the Passover sacrifice.

Semantic Range

hyssop (herb/plant used in ritual), sprig or stalk of hyssop for sprinkling blood or water, implement for purification rituals, symbol of cleansing

Root / Etymology

Uncertain. The word אֵזוֹב (ʼêzôwb) does not have a clear Semitic root and is widely regarded as probably of foreign origin. It appears in the Hebrew Bible as a loanword, and no reliable Hebrew or Northwest Semitic etymology has yet been established.

Historical & Contextual Notes

In the Hebrew Bible, אֵזוֹב is most frequently associated with purification rituals, including the cleansing of persons with skin diseases (often translated as 'leprosy'), the ritual of the red heifer (Numbers 19), and the marking of doorposts during Passover (Exodus 12). Its significance is based not only in its botanical properties but in its symbolic role as a vehicle for purification with water or blood. Later translation traditions (Septuagint, Vulgate, etc.) render the plant as 'hyssop', but the botanic identification is debated. Modern hyssop (Hyssopus officinalis) does not grow naturally in the Levant; thus, it may refer to a different local plant such as marjoram (Origanum syriacum) or another aromatic herb. The plant's ritual use continued in post-biblical Jewish literature and was later rendered as 'hyssop' or, more rarely, other aromatic plants in translation. Its role is distinct from other plants with ritual significance, such as the 'cedar wood' (עֵץ אֶרֶז) employed alongside it in purification ceremonies.

Translation Consistency

primary "hyssop" 10 occurrences

The lemma names a specific plant/instrument used in purification rites. "Hyssop" is the conventional, natural English noun that covers the plant, sprig/stalk, and ritual implement senses in the SILEX range and matches the attested renderings (10×). Using this single word ensures consistent, recognizable translation across all occurrences.

✓ All renderings match approved senses

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

probably of foreign derivation; hyssop; hyssop.

Bantu Hebrew

No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.

+ Add Bantu Hebrew Word

Root Family

אזוב (ʾ-z-w-b) — hyssop plant, purification herb, sprinkling implement

Root uncertain (uncertain due to foreign origin, but understood in Hebrew usage as: to purify, to sprinkle, hyssop plant)

Word Forms

4 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
H231-04 וְ/אֵזֹֽב veezov HC/Ncmsa and hyssop hyssop plant and hyssop plant 4
H231-02 הָ/אֵזֹ֑ב haezov HTd/Ncmsa the hyssop the hyssop plant the hyssop plant 3
H231-01 אֵז֗וֹב ezov HNcmsa hyssop hyssop plant hyssop plant 2
H231-03 וּ/בָ/אֵזֹ֖ב uvaezov HC/Rd/Ncmsa and with hyssop and with hyssop and with hyssop 1

Occurrences in Scripture

10 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
H231-01 Exodus 12:22 אֵז֗וֹב ezov HNcmsa hyssop hyssop plant hyssop plant
H231-04 Leviticus 14:4 וְ/אֵזֹֽב veezov HC/Ncmsa and hyssop hyssop plant and hyssop plant
H231-02 Leviticus 14:6 הָ/אֵזֹ֑ב haezov HTd/Ncmsa the hyssop the hyssop plant the hyssop plant
H231-04 Leviticus 14:49 וְ/אֵזֹֽב veezov HC/Ncmsa and hyssop hyssop plant and hyssop plant
H231-02 Leviticus 14:51 הָ֨/אֵזֹ֜ב haezov HTd/Ncmsa the-hyssop the hyssop plant the hyssop plant
H231-03 Leviticus 14:52 וּ/בָ/אֵזֹ֖ב uvaezov HC/Rd/Ncmsa and with hyssop and with hyssop and with hyssop
H231-04 Numbers 19:6 וְ/אֵז֖וֹב veezov HC/Ncmsa and hyssop hyssop plant and hyssop plant
H231-01 Numbers 19:18 אֵז֜וֹב ezov HNcmsa hyssop hyssop plant hyssop plant
H231-02 1 Kings 5:13 הָ/אֵז֔וֹב haezov HTd/Ncmsa the hyssop the hyssop plant the hyssop plant
H231-04 Psalms 51:9 בְ/אֵז֣וֹב veezov HR/Ncmsa with hyssop hyssop plant with hyssop
← H230 Hebrew Lexicon H232 →