Exodus 12:22
And ye shall take a bunch of hyssop, and dip it in the blood that is in the bason, and strike the lintel and the two side posts with the blood that is in the bason; and none of you shall go out at the door of his house until the morning.
Original Language Analysis
וּלְקַחְתֶּ֞ם
And ye shall take
H3947
וּלְקַחְתֶּ֞ם
And ye shall take
Strong's:
H3947
Word #:
1 of 25
to take (in the widest variety of applications)
הַדָּ֖ם
it in the blood
H1818
הַדָּ֖ם
it in the blood
Strong's:
H1818
Word #:
5 of 25
blood (as that which when shed causes death) of man or an animal; by analogy, the juice of the grape; figuratively (especially in the plural) bloodshe
אֲשֶׁר
H834
אֲשֶׁר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
6 of 25
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
בַּסָּ֑ף
that is in the bason
H5592
בַּסָּ֑ף
that is in the bason
Strong's:
H5592
Word #:
7 of 25
a vestibule (as a limit); also a dish (for holding blood or wine)
וְהִגַּעְתֶּ֤ם
and strike
H5060
וְהִגַּעְתֶּ֤ם
and strike
Strong's:
H5060
Word #:
8 of 25
properly, to touch, i.e., lay the hand upon (for any purpose; euphemistically, to lie with a woman); by implication, to reach (figuratively, to arrive
מִן
H4480
מִן
Strong's:
H4480
Word #:
14 of 25
properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses
הַדָּ֖ם
it in the blood
H1818
הַדָּ֖ם
it in the blood
Strong's:
H1818
Word #:
15 of 25
blood (as that which when shed causes death) of man or an animal; by analogy, the juice of the grape; figuratively (especially in the plural) bloodshe
אֲשֶׁ֣ר
H834
אֲשֶׁ֣ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
16 of 25
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
בַּסָּ֑ף
that is in the bason
H5592
בַּסָּ֑ף
that is in the bason
Strong's:
H5592
Word #:
17 of 25
a vestibule (as a limit); also a dish (for holding blood or wine)
לֹ֥א
H3808
לֹ֥א
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
19 of 25
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
תֵֽצְא֛וּ
of you shall go out
H3318
תֵֽצְא֛וּ
of you shall go out
Strong's:
H3318
Word #:
20 of 25
to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim
אִ֥ישׁ
and none
H376
אִ֥ישׁ
and none
Strong's:
H376
Word #:
21 of 25
a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)
מִפֶּֽתַח
at the door
H6607
מִפֶּֽתַח
at the door
Strong's:
H6607
Word #:
22 of 25
an opening (literally), i.e., door (gate) or entrance way
בֵּית֖וֹ
of his house
H1004
בֵּית֖וֹ
of his house
Strong's:
H1004
Word #:
23 of 25
a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)
Cross References
Hebrews 11:28Through faith he kept the passover, and the sprinkling of blood, lest he that destroyed the firstborn should touch them.Psalms 51:7Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.Numbers 19:18And a clean person shall take hyssop, and dip it in the water, and sprinkle it upon the tent, and upon all the vessels, and upon the persons that were there, and upon him that touched a bone, or one slain, or one dead, or a grave:Hebrews 9:19For when Moses had spoken every precept to all the people according to the law, he took the blood of calves and of goats, with water, and scarlet wool, and hyssop, and sprinkled both the book, and all the people,Hebrews 9:1Then verily the first covenant had also ordinances of divine service, and a worldly sanctuary.Exodus 12:7And they shall take of the blood, and strike it on the two side posts and on the upper door post of the houses, wherein they shall eat it.
Historical Context
Hyssop (possibly marjoram) grew abundantly and had bushy branches ideal for applying liquids. Its later use at Christ's crucifixion (John 19:29) creates typological connection.
Questions for Reflection
- How does the hyssop branch, a humble plant, teach that God uses simple means to apply saving grace?
- What does remaining inside the blood-marked house teach about abiding in Christ for safety from judgment?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
The 'hyssop' (ezov, אֵזוֹב) was a common plant with absorbent properties, perfect for sprinkling blood. Its use in cleansing ceremonies (Leviticus 14:4, Numbers 19:6, Psalm 51:7) made it associated with purification. The 'basin' (saf, סַף) held the lamb's blood. The three-fold application (two side posts, upper lintel) and the prohibition to leave the house 'until morning' created a blood-sealed refuge where judgment could not enter.