mũthobi
- hyssop. Hyssop. A small aromatic plant used in religious purification rituals and ceremonies, particularly for sprinkling water or blood in cleansing rites; mentioned in biblical contexts for ritual purification.
Example: Njitũrũria na mũthobi, na nĩngũthera; (Behold, I was born in guilt,); Na haarĩ na nyanja yaigĩtwo ho ĩiyũire thiki; magĩgĩthecerera rũthanju rũa mũthobi thibanji ĩiyũire thiki, makĩmũtwarĩrĩra kanua-inĩ. (but only this final gesture of kindness at the end (Mk 15:36). Hyssop , a small plant, is scarcely suitable for carrying a sponge (Mark mentions a reed) and may be a symbolic reference to the hyssop used to daub the blood of the paschal lamb on the doorpost of the Hebrews (Ex 12:22). So they put a sponge soaked in wine on a sprig of hyssop and put it up to his mouth.)