Isaiah 59:6

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

Their webs shall not become garments, neither shall they cover themselves with their works: their works [are] works of iniquity, and the act of violence [is] in their hands.

Complete Jewish Bible:

Their webs are useless as clothing, their deeds are useless for wearing; their deeds are deeds of wickedness, their hands produce violence.

Berean Standard Bible:

Their cobwebs cannot be made into clothing, and they cannot cover themselves with their works. Their deeds are sinful deeds, and acts of violence are in their hands.

American Standard Version:

Their webs shall not become garments, neither shall they cover themselves with their works: their works are works of iniquity, and the act of violence is in their hands.

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

Their webs^{H6980} shall not become garments^{H899}, neither shall they cover^{H3680} themselves with their works^{H4639}: their works^{H4639} are works^{H4639} of iniquity^{H205}, and the act^{H6467} of violence^{H2555} is in their hands^{H3709}.

Cross-References (KJV):

Explore This Verse Across Other Resources:

BibleHub.com BibleRef.com

Commentary for Isaiah 59:6

Isaiah 59:6 is a part of the larger prophetic text of Isaiah, which addresses the Southern Kingdom of Judah, primarily during the late 8th and early 7th centuries BCE. This verse is situated within a chapter that decries the moral decay of the people and their abandonment of God's law, leading to a breakdown in social justice and righteousness.

The themes of Isaiah 59:6 revolve around the ineffectiveness of the people's deeds to provide them with true covering or protection because their actions are rooted in iniquity and violence. The imagery of "webs" that cannot become garments suggests that the people's efforts to secure themselves by their own actions are as flimsy and insubstantial as a spider's web, which cannot protect or clothe them in the way they need. This metaphor underscores the futility of their endeavors, as their works are not only inadequate but also inherently corrupt.

In the historical context, the prophet Isaiah is confronting the widespread corruption and injustice prevalent in Judah. The verse reflects a time when outward religiosity and self-righteousness were not matched by ethical behavior. The people's "works of iniquity" and the "act of violence" in their hands indicate that their actions are not merely negligent but actively harmful and oppressive. Isaiah condemns these practices, emphasizing that such deeds will not shield them from divine judgment or the consequences of their sins.

Overall, Isaiah 59:6 serves as a stark warning that hypocritical and unrighteous actions have no power to save or justify an individual before God. It calls for genuine repentance and a return to living in accordance with God's commandments, particularly concerning justice and mercy. This verse is a poignant reminder of the importance of integrity and righteousness in the eyes of God.

*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model

Strong's Numbers and Definitions:

Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)

1. Strong's Number: H6980
   There are 2 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: קוּר
   Transliteration: qûwr
   Pronunciation: koor
   Description: from קוּר; (only plural) trenches, i.e. a web (as if so formed); web.
   
2. Strong's Number: H899
   There are 190 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: בֶּגֶד
   Transliteration: beged
   Pronunciation: behg'-ed
   Description: from בָּגַד; a covering, i.e. clothing; also treachery or pillage; apparel, cloth(-es, ing), garment, lap, rag, raiment, robe, [idiom] very (treacherously), vesture, wardrobe.
   
3. Strong's Number: H3680
   There are 149 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: כָּסָה
   Transliteration: kâçâh
   Pronunciation: kaw-saw'
   Description: a primitive root; properly, to plump, i.e. fill up hollows; by implication, to cover (for clothing or secrecy); clad self, close, clothe, conceal, cover (self), (flee to) hide, overwhelm. Compare כָּשָׂה.
   
4. Strong's Number: H4639
   There are 221 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: מַעֲשֶׂה
   Transliteration: maʻăseh
   Pronunciation: mah-as-eh'
   Description: from עָשָׂה; an action (good or bad); generally, a transaction; abstractly, activity; by implication, a product (specifically, a poem) or (generally) property; act, art, [phrase] bakemeat, business, deed, do(-ing), labor, thing made, ware of making, occupation, thing offered, operation, possession, [idiom] well, (handy-, needle-, net-) work(ing, -manship), wrought.
   
5. Strong's Number: H205
   There are 101 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: אָוֶן
   Transliteration: ʼâven
   Pronunciation: aw-ven'
   Description: from an unused root perhaps meaning properly, to pant (hence, to exert oneself, usually in vain; to come to naught); strictly nothingness; also trouble. vanity, wickedness; specifically an idol; affliction, evil, false, idol, iniquity, mischief, mourners(-ing), naught, sorrow, unjust, unrighteous, vain, vanity, wicked(-ness). Compare אַיִן.
   
6. Strong's Number: H6467
   There are 38 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: פֹּעַל
   Transliteration: pôʻal
   Pronunciation: po'-al
   Description: from פָּעַל; an act or work (concretely); act, deed, do, getting, maker, work.
   
7. Strong's Number: H2555
   There are 59 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: חָמָס
   Transliteration: châmâç
   Pronunciation: khaw-mawce'
   Description: from חָמַס; violence; by implication, wrong; by meton. unjust gain; cruel(-ty), damage, false, injustice, [idiom] oppressor, unrighteous, violence (against, done), violent (dealing), wrong.
   
8. Strong's Number: H3709
   There are 180 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: כַּף
   Transliteration: kaph
   Pronunciation: kaf
   Description: from כָּפַף; the hollow hand or palm (so of the paw of an animal, of the sole, and even of the bowl of a dish or sling, the handle of a bolt, the leaves of a palm-tree); figuratively, power; branch, [phrase] foot, hand((-ful), -dle, (-led)), hollow, middle, palm, paw, power, sole, spoon.