Isaiah 59:6

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.

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}.

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

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.

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

Context of Isaiah 59:6

Isaiah chapter 59 vividly portrays the spiritual condition of ancient Israel, highlighting their widespread sin and its devastating consequences. The prophet Isaiah confronts the people, not with a lack of God's power to save, but with their own rebellion and iniquity that have created a barrier between them and God. Verse 6 continues this indictment, using a powerful metaphor to describe the futility and destructive nature of their unrighteous deeds.

Key Themes and Messages

  • The Futility of Self-Righteousness: The central metaphor of "webs" that "shall not become garments" illustrates the utter inadequacy of human efforts to achieve righteousness or cover sin by their own means. Just as a spider's web is too flimsy and intricate to serve as clothing, so too are human works of iniquity incapable of providing true spiritual covering, protection, or justification before God.
  • The Corrupt Nature of Their Works: The verse explicitly states, "their works are works of iniquity, and the act of violence is in their hands." This emphasizes that the problem is not merely a lack of good deeds, but that their actions themselves are inherently corrupt, rooted in sin, and often manifest as injustice and oppression. Their "works" are not neutral; they are actively harmful and contrary to God's character.
  • Inherent Unrighteousness: This verse underscores the biblical truth that apart from God's grace, human attempts at righteousness are fundamentally flawed. It points to a deep-seated spiritual problem where actions are driven by a sinful nature, leading to a life characterized by unrighteousness rather than true holiness.

Linguistic Insights

  • "Webs" (ืงื•ืจื™ื - qurim): This Hebrew term literally refers to spider's threads or webs. The imagery evokes something intricate but utterly fragile, useless for practical protection or covering. It highlights the deceptive appearance of effort that yields no substantial benefit.
  • "Garments" (ื‘ื’ื“ - beged): A garment or covering. In ancient cultures, garments provided warmth, protection, and often symbolized status or identity. The inability of their "webs" to become "garments" signifies that their self-made righteousness offers no true spiritual covering or security.
  • "Works of iniquity" (ืžึทืขึฒืฉื‚ึตื™ ืึธื•ึถืŸ - ma'asei aven): This phrase emphasizes actions rooted in wickedness, evil, or trouble. "Aven" often conveys the idea of harmfulness, deceit, or emptiness. Their deeds are not just imperfect; they are actively perverse and harmful.
  • "Act of violence" (ืคึนึผืขึทืœ ื—ึธืžึธืก - po'al chamas): "Chamas" denotes cruelty, injustice, and physical violence. This specifies the tangible outcome of their "works of iniquity," showing that their internal corruption manifests in external acts of oppression and disregard for others.

Practical Application

Isaiah 59:6 serves as a powerful reminder that human efforts to justify themselves or earn God's favor through their own "works" are ultimately futile if those works are not rooted in a genuine relationship with God and obedience to His will. This verse challenges us to:

  • Examine Our Motivations: Are our good deeds performed out of true love for God and neighbor, or are they a form of self-righteousness, an attempt to earn salvation or impress others?
  • Recognize the Nature of Sin: Sin is not just isolated acts, but a pervasive condition that corrupts our actions, leading to "works of iniquity" and "violence" in various forms (not just physical, but also spiritual and relational).
  • Embrace God's Provision: Since our own "webs" cannot become "garments," we must turn to God's provision for righteousness and covering. The New Testament reiterates that salvation is not of works, lest any man should boast, but is a gift of God through faith in Jesus Christ, who provides the perfect righteousness we lack.
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Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated โ€” the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified 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.
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