Plants are first mentioned in the Bible in the first chapter of the first book: “Then God said, ‘Let the earth bring forth grass, the herb that yields seed, and the fruit tree that yields fruit according to its kind…” (Genesis 1:11). Throughout the ages, the Hebrews have attributed holiness to many species of plants. The Scriptures associate feasts, rites and commandments with many plants and their cultivation. Early written information about herbs is found in the Bible back to the time of Moses or even earlier. In Exodus 12:22 Moses tells the children of Israel how to save their children by using the herb and lamb’s blood. “And you shall take a bunch of hyssop, dip it in the blood that is in the basin, and strike the lintel and the two doorposts with the blood that is in the basin.” In Numbers 19:6, 18 hyssop is again mentioned. Also, in 1 Kings 4:33 God gave Solomon wisdom, “And he (Solomon) spoke of trees, from the cedar tree of Lebanon even to the hyssop that springs out of the wall…” Psalms 51:7 refers to this plant: “Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.” While pride is symbolized by the majestic cedar of Lebanon in Jewish tradition, the lowly hyssop represents modesty and humility. At least eighteen plants have been considered for the hyssop of the Bible, but modern botanists have generally agreed that Syrian majoram (Origanum syriacum) is the likely plant. It seems to fit well with these verses. It was used to cleanse homes defiled by leprosy or death and came to symbolize cleanliness. Its fragrance and taste led it to be prized by the ancient Romans and the Greeks before them. Bridges and grooms wore crowns made of marjoram. It was also quite likely prized in the kitchen, as it is now.
In the New Testament a sponge soaked in sour wine or vinegar was stuck on a branch of hyssop and offered to Jesus of Nazareth on the cross (John 19:29). Hyssop-Oregano was often gathered in bunches and used as a brush or sprinkler for Jewish purification rituals.
Mint (Mentha longifolia) or horsemint is thought by many Jewish scholars to be the mint referenced by Jesus in Matthew 23:23 and Luke 11:42 in His discourse with the Pharisees. It along with anise or dill and cumin grow wild in parts of Palestine, mint being the most common. The Pharisee taxed himself lightly if he paid the tithe of mint, for it was too common and too easily cultivated to be of much worth, even though it was valuable as a medicinal herb. It was one of the plants subjected to the ban on sowing and gathering every seventh year. Jesus’ lesson on hyprocrisy is told by Matthew and again by Luke, and mint is the one herb mentioned by both. The Greek word Heduosmos, or mintha, means “having a sweet smell” and refers to “a sweet-smelling herb or mint.” The plant derives its name from Mintha, a Greek nymph who was transformed into the herb by Persephone after Persephone learned that her husband, Pluto had loved the nymph. Several varieties of mint grew in Israel, but horsemint is the most common and probably the one referred to by Matthew and Luke. Horsemint is still found today in the Holy Land and is cultivated at Aleppo in Syria. It is much larger than the other mints, reaching a height of three feet or more, with lilac flowers. It grows in moist, sunny places where it tends to run wild. It has been confused with Mentha spicata, or spearmint. The Hebrews used mint as a strewing herb at home and in the Temple, prizing its clean and aromatic scent. They served mint at the Spring Passover Feast of the Paschal Lamb, and today it is one of the “bitter herbs” of the paschal feast.
In Israel the branched inflorescence of the Salvia dominica is one of the several salvias thought to have inspired the design of the menorah, seven-branched candelabra, or lampstand. Other scholars believe Judean sage (Salvia judaica) may have been in view. Judaica is from the Hebrew Yehudah, or Judah, the name given to the mountainous southern part of the land of Israel. The Bible describes God’s instructions to Bezalel of the tribe of Judah, one of Moses’ Israelites, to make an ark, altar and table of acacia wood: And he made the lampstand of pure gold; of hammered work he made the lampstand. Its shaft, its branches, its bowls, its ornamental knobs, and its flowers were of the same piece…” (Exodus 37:17). Sage had already proven its value as both a flavoring and a medicine, so it is hardly surprising that it appeared in religious symbolism.
(This article was submitted by Randy, and taken from Randy’s book “Stop…and Smell The Mints”) For more information go to https://outskirtspress.com/stopandsmellthemints
I LOVE THIS!! Anything Biblical is interesting and amazing to me. Thank you for not being afraid of speaking God’s Word. I am a loyal client now.
me too, thankyou for representing the Bible of Truth!!!
Amen to that!
Thank you so much
I really enjoyed this article on Biblical plants. It’s very interesting. My husband and I, help tend our churches memorial garden. We’ve planted Costamary and Jack- the pulpit, among other plants.
Thank you for ALL the interesting info on herbs. I love being educated on beautiful things! I do have 1 question. I noticed while looking through the catalog that you carry GARLIC CHIVES , however, you do not shop it to California (where I live). Why is that? I REALLY want some Garlic Chives! How can I get some?
M
Thank you for sharing God’s word, gardening is very spiritual for me.
Gardening has always been a spiritual experience for me and I thought it appropriate to include the biblical connection of these wonderful plants in my book on the mints.
Gardening is very spiritual for me, too!! I am amazed that I chose to join Growers Exchange, not knowing that they support the Bible values, its so beautiful!
All these years. And its been right under my nose. Can’t wait to start planting and learning more of what God has provided for His children. Thank you for sharing. T.Fraysher
I’m missing a connection between marjoram and hyssop, marjoram doesn’t have branches.
Horsemint is native to the Americas. Are there different kinds?
I’m genuinely confused, can you clear this up?
Origanum syriacum is thought to be the hyssop of the Old Testament. It is a bushy perennial with highly aromatic foliage. It has several common names including syrian oregano, majorana syriaca, zaatar and maru. There are other species of Origanum such as O. dictamnus, O. laevigatum and O. majorana that all go by the common name of marjoram. It is interesting how the same plant will have different common names depending on where you live.
At least two genera have the common name of horsemint (Mentha longifolia and Monarda punctata). I hope this helps. I cover these in much more detail in my book “Stop…and Smell the Mints”.
Thank you! I like having research to do and finding answers! Especially with plants. Recently read an article on BBC about Israeli cuisine, using plants mentioned in the bible, including biblical herbs. You may find it interesting. A search should find it.
I’m currently researching food and plants in scripture. I’m going to Israel soon and am planning on giving a cooking class on this subject later this year. This is wonderful information ! Thank you.
Absolutely Beautiful ? GOD Bless you? AMEN?
Thank you for the informative article. God Bless
Thank you for this research and making connections for us. Do you carry all of these herbs? Also, when do you ship?
This is fascinating! Thank you for your courage in putting Biblical research into the sphere of social media! Very informative and inspirational. God bless!
Thank you for your herb info in our Holy Bible! Apple mint is my favorite. Once you put it in food or tea, for me, you can’t separate it. Just like our Lord in our lives! You can’t take it back out. Bless you all and stay well ?❤️