Isaiah 59:6

KJV

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)

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}.

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.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Isaiah 59:6 delivers a powerful prophetic indictment against ancient Israel, asserting the utter futility of their unrighteous deeds to provide spiritual covering or justification before God. Through the vivid, yet fragile, metaphor of spider webs, the prophet declares that human efforts rooted in pervasive iniquity and overt violence are inherently incapable of offering true righteousness, protection, or acceptance, emphasizing that their actions are not merely imperfect but fundamentally corrupt and antithetical to God's holy character.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Isaiah 59 forms a crucial segment within the larger prophetic work, immediately following a section (chapters 58-59) where the prophet meticulously confronts the nation's profound spiritual degeneracy and hypocrisy. The chapter commences with a clear theological declaration: God's power to save is undiminished, and His ear is not deaf to their cries. However, the subsequent verses swiftly pivot to reveal the true impediment—the people's pervasive iniquities that have created an insurmountable chasm between them and their Holy God ([Isaiah 59:1-2](/isaiah/59-1-2 "Isaiah 59:1-2 - God's Unhindered Power and Israel's Separating Sins")). Verse 3 graphically details their defiled hands and lips, stained with blood and lies, which then leads into a comprehensive catalog of their societal sins in verses 4-8, encompassing injustice, deceit, and violence. Verse 6, specifically, zeroes in on the inherent nature and ultimate outcome of their "works," building upon the preceding descriptions of their corrupt practices and setting the theological stage for the subsequent lament over the profound absence of justice and truth within the land ([Isaiah 59:9-15](/isaiah/59-9-15 "Isaiah 59:9-15 - The Consequences of Iniquity and the Absence of Justice")).
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The historical setting for Isaiah 59 is generally understood to be the period leading up to or during the Babylonian exile, or possibly a later post-exilic era marked by similar moral and spiritual decline within the community. During this time, Judah was experiencing significant social and spiritual erosion, characterized by widespread injustice, systemic oppression of the vulnerable, corruption within the legal and governmental systems, and a general, pervasive disregard for God's covenant laws. The imagery of "webs" and "garments" would have resonated deeply with the cultural understanding of the time. Garments were not merely clothing; they were essential for protection from the elements, a symbol of dignity, and a fundamental necessity for modesty and social standing. In stark contrast, spider webs, though perhaps intricate in their construction, are universally recognized as flimsy, fragile, and utterly useless for providing any substantial warmth, protection, or covering. This potent metaphor powerfully underscores the cultural understanding of practical utility versus deceptive appearance, thereby highlighting the profound spiritual bankruptcy and inherent inadequacy of their self-righteous endeavors.
* **Key Themes:** This verse contributes profoundly to several pivotal themes within the book of Isaiah and broader biblical theology. Firstly, it starkly underscores the **pervasiveness and corrupting nature of sin**, demonstrating that human actions, when not rooted in genuine righteousness and obedience to God, are inherently flawed and produce further iniquity rather than spiritual benefit. Secondly, it powerfully highlights the **futility of human self-salvation or self-justification**, emphasizing with absolute clarity that no amount of human effort, religious ritual, or "works" can ever provide the spiritual covering, atonement, or righteousness required by a holy God. This theme is foundational to understanding the absolute necessity of divine intervention and grace, a concept that finds its ultimate and glorious fulfillment in the New Testament (e.g., [Romans 3:20](/romans/3-20 "Romans 3:20 - No One Justified by the Law") and [Galatians 2:16](/galatians/2-16 "Galatians 2:16 - Justified by Faith in Christ")). Finally, the verse speaks directly to the theme of **divine judgment and the inevitable consequences of unrighteousness**, illustrating how the nation's sinful actions lead inexorably to separation from God and societal breakdown, thereby necessitating God's own righteous and redemptive intervention to bring about salvation and restoration ([Isaiah 59:16-21](/isaiah/59-16-21 "Isaiah 59:16-21 - God's Intervention and Covenant of Redemption")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Webs (Hebrew, _qûwr'_):** This term (H6980), found only in the plural in the biblical text, refers to trenches or, metaphorically, a web, specifically a spider's web. The imagery powerfully conveys something intricately spun but utterly flimsy and insubstantial, completely incapable of providing warmth, protection, or modesty. It highlights the deceptive appearance of human effort that, despite its complexity, yields no substantial, enduring benefit, symbolizing human works that are fragile, inadequate, and ultimately useless for true spiritual covering or justification before God.
* **Garments (Hebrew, _beged'_):** This word (H899) denotes a covering, clothing, or apparel. In ancient Near Eastern cultures, garments were not merely utilitarian; they were fundamental for survival, a symbol of dignity, and crucial for social identity and acceptance. The explicit inability of their "webs" to become "garments" signifies that their self-made righteousness, their religious rituals, or their attempts at covering their sin are completely inadequate and offer no true spiritual security, protection, or acceptance in the sight of a holy God.
* **Works (Hebrew, _maʻăseh'_):** Derived from the root meaning "to do" or "to make," this term (H4639) broadly denotes an action, deed, or transaction, encompassing both good and bad outcomes. Its emphatic repetition in this verse ("their works are works of iniquity") serves to underscore that the very nature, character, and output of their activity are fundamentally corrupt and morally perverse. It is not merely a quantitative lack of good deeds, but a qualitative assessment that their active endeavors are intrinsically tainted by sin and lead to further trouble.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Their webs shall not become garments":** This opening clause introduces the central, striking metaphor of the verse. The "webs" represent the intricate, self-devised schemes, efforts, and religious rituals of the people, which, despite their appearance of diligence, are ultimately flimsy, fragile, and utterly useless. They are inherently incapable of providing the spiritual covering, righteousness, or acceptance (symbolized by "garments") that God's holiness demands. This powerfully highlights the profound futility of human attempts to justify themselves or earn favor before a holy God through their own flawed and self-serving works.
* **"neither shall they cover themselves with their works":** This clause expands upon and reinforces the preceding thought, emphasizing the complete inability of their own deeds to provide any true spiritual protection, dignity, or atonement for sin. Their "works," being inherently flawed, tainted by iniquity, and rooted in violence, cannot hide their spiritual nakedness, provide a shield against divine judgment, or secure genuine acceptance in God's presence.
* **"their works [are] works of iniquity":** This is a direct, unequivocal, and emphatic statement that clarifies the intrinsic nature and moral quality of their "works." It is not simply that their works are insufficient or imperfect, but that they are actively rooted in wickedness, evil, and moral trouble. The repetition of "works" (maʻăseh) underscores the pervasive and intrinsic corruption of their actions, indicating a deep-seated moral problem that permeates their very being and output.
* **"and the act of violence [is] in their hands":** This final clause provides a concrete, tangible example of how their "works of iniquity" manifest. Their hands, the primary instruments of their actions and deeds, are explicitly stained with "violence" (châmâç), signifying cruelty, injustice, and oppression. This demonstrates how their internal corruption and moral decay manifest in external, harmful deeds against others, particularly the vulnerable, further cementing their profound guilt and culpability before God.

#### Literary Devices
Isaiah 59:6 employs several potent **literary devices** to convey its stark message of human futility and sin. The most prominent is **Metaphor**, where the "webs" spun by the people are directly compared to their "works," and "garments" symbolize righteousness or spiritual covering. This vivid comparison powerfully illustrates the inherent fragility, inadequacy, and ultimate uselessness of human efforts to achieve justification or conceal sin. The phrase "their works are works of iniquity" utilizes striking **Repetition** (specifically, **Polyptoton** or **Ploce**) of the word "works" (maʻăseh) to emphasize the pervasive, intrinsic, and unavoidable corruption that characterizes their deeds. Furthermore, the verse employs a subtle form of **Personification** by stating that "the act of violence is in their hands," as if violence itself is a tangible, wieldable object. This underscores the direct, active, and deliberate role of the people in perpetrating injustice. The entire verse functions as a form of **Hyperbole** in its stark and absolute declaration of futility, emphasizing the utter impossibility of self-salvation or self-justification through such means.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Isaiah 59:6 serves as a profound Old Testament precursor to the New Testament's foundational doctrine of justification by grace through faith, entirely apart from human works. It powerfully articulates the enduring biblical truth that humanity's inherent sinfulness contaminates all attempts at self-righteousness, rendering them utterly useless and even offensive in the sight of a holy God. The "works of iniquity" described here are not merely imperfect or incomplete; they are actively perverse and stained with violence, demonstrating that the problem is not a lack of effort but a fundamental, pervasive corruption of human nature and action. This verse highlights the vast and unbridgeable chasm between humanity's fallen state and God's perfect holiness, underscoring the absolute necessity of a divine provision for righteousness, rather than any reliance on human merit or self-effort.

* [Romans 3:20](/romans/3-20 "Romans 3:20 - No Justification by Works of Law")
* [Ephesians 2:8-9](/ephesians/2-8-9 "Ephesians 2:8-9 - Salvation by Grace Through Faith")
* [Titus 3:5](/titus/3-5 "Titus 3:5 - Saved Not by Works of Righteousness")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Isaiah 59:6 extends a profound challenge, urging us to deeply examine the true nature, motivation, and source of our own "works." In a contemporary culture often driven by performance, achievement, and the relentless pursuit of self-promotion, this verse serves as a sobering reminder that any efforts to establish our own righteousness, earn God's favor, or even gain human approval through deeds not genuinely rooted in faith, humility, and love for God are ultimately as flimsy, inadequate, and useless as a spider's web. It compels us to confront the subtle, insidious ways in which "iniquity" and "violence" might manifest in our own lives—not merely in overt, egregious acts, but in selfish motivations, judgmental attitudes, passive neglect of justice, or the pursuit of personal gain at the expense of others. True spiritual covering, genuine peace, and lasting acceptance come not from our own flawed and tainted attempts, but solely from embracing God's perfect and sovereign provision. This verse profoundly urges humility, prompting us to abandon all forms of self-reliance and instead seek the righteousness that comes only from God, freely given through His grace.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what specific areas of my life might I be subtly or overtly relying on my own "works" or efforts to feel righteous, acceptable, or deserving of God's favor, rather than resting fully in His grace?**
* **How does the concept of "works of iniquity" challenge my understanding of sin, prompting me to move beyond a focus on mere isolated acts to a deeper examination of the corruption of my motives, attitudes, and the underlying nature of my actions?**
* **Where might "the act of violence" manifest in my life today, not only in physical aggression but in spiritual, emotional, or relational harm (e.g., through gossip, harsh judgment, manipulation, or passive neglect of those in need)?**
* **What does this verse teach me about the absolute and undeniable necessity of God's divine intervention for true salvation, genuine righteousness, and lasting peace, apart from any human merit?**

### FAQ
**What is the primary metaphor in Isaiah 59:6, and what does it mean?**

Answer: The primary metaphor in Isaiah 59:6 is that of "webs" that "shall not become garments." The "webs" (specifically, spider webs) represent the intricate but inherently fragile and utterly useless "works" or deeds of the people of Israel. These works, being explicitly identified as "works of iniquity" and "acts of violence," are intrinsically corrupt and cannot provide the spiritual covering, protection, or righteousness symbolized by "garments." It means that human efforts to justify themselves, atone for their sins, or cover their spiritual nakedness through their own flawed and sinful actions are completely futile and ineffective in God's sight. This imagery powerfully conveys the inadequacy and ultimate bankruptcy of self-righteousness.

**Does this verse imply that all human works are bad, or that good works are useless?**

Answer: This verse specifically refers to "their works," which are emphatically identified as "works of iniquity" and "acts of violence." It does not condemn all human works universally, but rather those works that originate from a sinful nature, are driven by unrighteous motives, or result in injustice and oppression. The verse highlights that works performed apart from God's righteousness, or as an attempt to earn salvation or divine favor, are inherently flawed and cannot provide spiritual covering or acceptance. The Bible elsewhere affirms that genuine good works are the natural and necessary fruit of a transformed life, demonstrating true faith, but they are never the basis for salvation or justification (e.g., [Ephesians 2:10](/ephesians/2-10 "Ephesians 2:10 - Created for Good Works") and [James 2:17](/james/2-17 "James 2:17 - Faith Without Works is Dead")).

**How does Isaiah 59:6 relate to the concept of justice in the Old Testament?**

Answer: Isaiah 59:6 is profoundly intertwined with the overarching biblical theme of justice. The phrase "the act of violence is in their hands" directly points to the pervasive social injustice, oppression, and moral decay prevalent in Israel. Throughout the Old Testament, God consistently calls His covenant people to practice justice and righteousness, especially towards the vulnerable, the marginalized, and the poor (e.g., [Micah 6:8](/micah/6-8 "Micah 6:8 - What the Lord Requires") and [Amos 5:24](/amos/5-24 "Amos 5:24 - Let Justice Roll Down")). The "works of iniquity" and "violence" described here are a direct and egregious violation of God's covenant and His very character, demonstrating the catastrophic breakdown of a just and compassionate society and the moral corruption that separated them from their holy God. This verse underscores that true righteousness must manifest in tangible, just, and compassionate actions towards one's neighbor.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Isaiah 59:6, with its stark declaration of humanity's utter inability to cover its own sin through "works of iniquity" and violence, powerfully foreshadows the absolute and indispensable necessity of Christ's redemptive work. The vivid imagery of "webs" that cannot become "garments" perfectly illustrates the futility of any human attempt at self-justification, setting the theological stage for God's own righteous and sovereign intervention. What fallen humanity could never achieve—a perfect covering for sin and a garment of true righteousness—Jesus Christ, the sinless Lamb of God, perfectly accomplished. He is the one who, though knowing no sin, willingly became sin for us, so that in Him, we might become the very righteousness of God ([2 Corinthians 5:21](/2_corinthians/5-21 "2 Corinthians 5:21 - Christ Became Sin for Us")). Through His perfect obedience to the Father and His sacrificial death on the cross, Christ provided the flawless "garment" of righteousness that covers our spiritual nakedness, a righteousness not earned by our futile works but freely imputed by divine grace through faith ([Philippians 3:9](/philippians/3-9 "Philippians 3:9 - Righteousness from God")). His precious blood cleanses us from all sin, allowing us to stand before God clothed in His imputed righteousness, fulfilling the deep longing for a covering that our own "webs" of self-effort could never provide ([Revelation 7:14](/revelation/7-14 "Revelation 7:14 - Robes Washed in the Blood of the Lamb")). Thus, Isaiah 59:6 ultimately points with profound clarity to Jesus Christ as the divine and exclusive solution to humanity's pervasive sin problem, the only one capable of providing true spiritual covering, perfect justification, and eternal acceptance before God.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Revelation 3:17

Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked:

Revelation 3:18

I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and [that] the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see.

Jeremiah 6:7

As a fountain casteth out her waters, so she casteth out her wickedness: violence and spoil is heard in her; before me continually [is] grief and wounds.

Isaiah 57:12

I will declare thy righteousness, and thy works; for they shall not profit thee.

Zephaniah 3:3

Her princes within her [are] roaring lions; her judges [are] evening wolves; they gnaw not the bones till the morrow.

Zephaniah 3:4

Her prophets [are] light [and] treacherous persons: her priests have polluted the sanctuary, they have done violence to the law.

Zephaniah 1:9

In the same day also will I punish all those that leap on the threshold, which fill their masters' houses with violence and deceit.