﻿ Plants of the Bible: Majorana syriaca

Majorana syriaca, Origanum syriacum,
Wild marjoram, Syrian Marjoram, Hyssop, Za'atar,
Hebrew: Ezov, (זתר) אזוב מצוי, Arabic: (زَعْتَر) زعتر سوري

Scientific name:  Majorana syriacum (L.) Kostel
Synonym name:  Origanum syriaca L.
Common name:   Wild marjoram, Syrian Marjoram, Hyssop, Za'atar
Hebrew name:  Ezov, אזוב מצוי
Arabic name:  زعتر بري/ زعتر سوري
Family:  Labiatae / Lamiaceae, שפתניים

Israel wildflowers, send flowers

Life form:  Chamaephyte
Stems:  35-60 cm; erect, usually not branching, hairy
Leaves:  Opposite, entire
Flowers:  Hermaphrodite; Dense terminal clusters; White
Fruits / pods:  Nutlet
Habitat:   Mediterranean maquis and forest, Batha, Phrygana
Chorotype:   Mediterranean
Summer shedding:  Perennating

Majorana syriaca, Origanum syriacum, Wild marjoram,Syrian Marjoram,Hyssop, Zaatar, Zahtar,زعتر بري, אזוב מצוי

Derivation of the botanical name:
Majorana, Greek,amarakos, ἀμαράκος; Latin, amaracum; the origin of the name is not known, it is possible that it derived from the Sanskrit maruva, मरुव.
syriacum, Syrian
Origanum, Latin origanus, origanum, Greek. oreiganon, oros, "mountain"; ganos, "joy"; joy of the mountain.
Hyssop; the name hyssop can be traced back almost unchanged through the Greek hyssopus and Hebrew ezov, meaning "holy herb". Because common Hyssop (Hyssop officinalis) is not native to the Mediterranean area, much debate has ensued over which plant was referred to as Hyssop.
The Hebrew name: אזובית, ezovit,Origanum, formed from אזוב with suffix -it. אזוב marjoram.
  • The standard author abbreviation Kostel is used to indicate Vincenz Franz Kosteletzky (1801 - 1887), a Bohemian botanist.
Hyssop is a wild aromatic herb similar to oregano, which was thrown into the fire when the red heifer was offered as a burnt sacrifice during Temple times. (Numbers 19:6)
Origanum syriacum is thought to be the true Hyssop of the Bible.
It is mentioned numerous times in the Scriptures. While pride is symbolized by the majestic cedar of Lebanon in Jewish tradition, the lowly hyssop represents modesty and humility.
In religious painting Hyssop is used as a symbol of humility. This symbolism of the hyssop versus the cedar gives to understand the plea of King David in Psalms 51:9: “Cleanse me with hyssop that I may be pure; wash me that I may become whiter than snow”.
David committed a sin by taking Bathsheba and arrogantly accorded himself the unjust privileges assumed by foreign kings, thus “he became proud above his people.” David’s prayer for forgiveness can be understood like the plea of the leper: I was proud and haughty like the cedar, and now I beseech you to make me humble like this hyssop with which I ask to be cleansed. (Lev. 14:2-4)
Hyssop is known for its ability to purify the blood, which in Psalm 51:9 had symbolic, as well as medicinal significance. Hyssop as we know it may or may not be the hyssop mentioned by King David.
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), showing that the cross was not as high as sometimes portrayed (Hyssop is up to 60 cm long).
Hyssop-Oregano was often gathered in bunches and used as a brush or sprinkler for purification rituals.

In the Middle East nowadays hyssop is a popular mixture of spices and marketed as zatar (Hebrew: זתר, Arabic: زَعْتَر) or za'atar seasoning.
In Israel za' atar is a protected plant and due to over-exploitation there are large fines for picking za' atar. There is a wide variety of mixtures but all contain (toasted) white sesame seeds, ground sumac, wild oregano (Origanum syriacum, formerly Majorana syriaca.) and salt. It is used on meats and vegetables, and is also mixed with olive oil to make a spread or dip. It has an excellent flavor.
All marjorams are oreganos, but not all oreganos are marjorams.

Bible resources:
  1. Exodus 12:22
  2. Leviticus 14:4
  3. Leviticus 14:6
  4. Leviticus 14:49
  5. Leviticus 14:51
  6. Leviticus 14:52
  7. Numbers 19:6
  8. Numbers 19:18
  9. 1 Kings 4:33
  10. Psalm 51:7
  11. John 19:29
  12. Hebrews 9:19

Majorana syriaca, Origanum syriacum, Wild marjoram,Syrian Marjoram,Hyssop, Zaatar, Zahtar,زعتر‎, אזוב מצוי
