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I hope you are enjoying this series on Bible plants. This week we are continuing a discussion of herbs, spices and fiber plants.
Marjoram was called hyssop in Leviticus 14:4. A hyssop bunch was used to brush blood on the door lintels and posts so the Angel of Death would Passover in Exodus 12:22. Botanists believe this is Origanum syriacum from the eastern Mediterranean region. Since seeds for this plant are extremely difficult to obtain, substitute O. majorana from North Africa or O. Onites form the Mediterranean region. A bunch of hyssop was used to offer Christ vinegar to drink while He hung on the cross (John 19:29). Psalms 51:7 mentions being cleansed with hyssop. Mint Mint is called a tithing herb because growers were expected to give 10 percent of it to religious leaders in the Temple. The mint mentioned in the New Testament (Matt. 23:23, Luke 11:42) was probably horsemint, Mentha longifolia, which grew wild in ditches, and other moist spots. It is a quick grower in shade or sun. Peppermint, Mentha piperita, originated in Western Asia and should also be included in your Bible garden. A word of caution is necessary however. Always grow mint in a container buried to the neck in the garden or your mint will take over the garden! [Note: Spearmint, Mentha spicata, originated in Europe and is not a "Bible plant".] Mustard One of the most famous parables in the New Testament compares faith to a seed of Mustard seed. Mustard, Brassica sp., was a common crop in the Near East. It is grown for its oil, as animal food, and for the condiment called mustard. The mustard seed is tiny yet it grows to tree size proportions in the Holy Lands. It is very easy to cultivate and is frequently a weed in Northern croplands. Rue Rue, Ruta graveolens or Ruta chalepnsis, is native to the Mediterranean region. It grows in ditches, on hillsides, next to old walls, and other wastelands. Rue was used as food flavoring and as medicine during the New Testament period (Luke 11:42). The Greeks and Romans believed it protected them against diseases. They spread it on floors of public buildings and walked outside carrying bouquets of it in their hand to protect them from disease. North Americans will find the cultivar, Ruta graveolens "Jackman's Blue" to be an attractive, bluish-green plant with bright yellow flowers from June to August. I can testify that this is a hardy plant in zones 4-5 and thrives in difficult conditions. I've had a single plant growing in a narrow strip of land between a brick townehouse and an asphalt driveway where it gets covered with road salt every winter many years. I cut it to the ground every fall and it grows faithfully every spring. By deadheading it, I can keep it flowering through August. Go To Page: 1 2 |
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