What plant is most likely the "hyssop" mentioned in the Bible?

The identification of the plant referred to as "hyssop" in the Bible is a subject of ongoing debate among scholars and botanists. The original Hebrew word, "ezov," and its Greek translation, "hyssōpos," likely encompassed a range of small, aromatic plants used for purification rituals in ancient times. The exact botanical species intended by the biblical authors remains uncertain, making a definitive identification challenging. Several plants have been proposed as potential candidates, each with its own supporting evidence and limitations.

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Several plants have been suggested as the biblical hyssop, each with varying degrees of support.

The most likely candidates include the Caper Plant (Capparis spinosa), Syrian Hyssop (Origanum syriacum), and Marjoram (Origanum majorana). The Caper Plant is favored by some scholars due to its documented use during the Second Temple period and its physical characteristics, such as flexible stems, which could have been suitable for the described purification practices.[1] Syrian Hyssop is another strong contender because of its aromatic properties and its use in purification rituals, although its size might be a limitation.[2] Marjoram is also considered, though less frequently, as a possible match for the biblical "ezov."

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