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Isaiah 59:6

Old Testament Major Prophet ASV (1901)

What does Isaiah 59:6 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “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.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

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.
Isaiah 59:6 — American Standard Version

Context — Isaiah 59

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
3For your hands are defiled with blood, and your fingers with iniquity; your lips have spoken lies, your tongue muttereth wickedness.
4None sueth in righteousness, and none pleadeth in truth: they trust in vanity, and speak lies; they conceive mischief, and bring forth iniquity.
5They hatch adders` eggs, and weave the spider`s web: he that eateth of their eggs dieth; and that which is crushed breaketh out into a viper.
6Their 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.
7Their feet run to evil, and they make haste to shed innocent blood: their thoughts are thoughts of iniquity; desolation and destruction are in their paths.
8The way of peace they know not; and there is no justice in their goings: they have made them crooked paths; whosoever goeth therein doth not know peace.
9Therefore is justice far from us, neither doth righteousness overtake us: we look for light, but, behold, darkness; for brightness, but we walk in obscurity.
← Isaiah 59:5Isaiah 59:7 →
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What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“Their webs shall not become garments, neither shall they cover themselves with their works, &c.] As spiders’ webs are not fit to make garments of, are too thin to cover naked bodies, or shelter from bad weather, or injuries from different causes; so neither the false doctrines of men will be of any use to themselves, or to others that receive them; particularly the doctrine of justification by works: these are not proper garments to cover the nakedness of a sinner from the sight of God, or screen him from avenging justice; but his hope which is placed on them will be cut off, and his trust in them will be a spider’s web, of no avail to him, (<180814>Job 8:14): their works are works of…”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“not . . . garments--like the "fig leaves" wherewith Adam and Eve vainly tried to cover their shame, as contrasted with "the coats of skins" which the Lord God made to clothe them with (Isa 64:6; Rom 13:14; Gal 3:27; Phi 3:9). The artificial self-deceiving sophisms of human philosophy (Ti1 6:5; Ti2 2:16, Ti2 2:23).”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“Their webs shall not become garments - The spider’s web is unfit for clothing; and the idea here is, that their works are as unfit to secure salvation as the attenuated web of a spider is for raiment. The sense is, says Vitringa, that their artificial sophisms avail nothing in producing true wisdom, piety, virtue, and religion, or the true righteousness and salvation of people, but are airy speculations. The works of the self-righteous and the wicked; their vain formality, their false opinions, their subtle reasonings, and their traditions, are like the web of the spider. They bide nothing, they answer none of the purposes of a garment of salvation. The doctrine is, that people must have…”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“Webs - Their contrivances shall not be able to cover or defend them. Isaiah 59:7”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“webs: Isa 28:18-20, Isa 30:12-14; Job 8:14, Job 8:15 neither: Isa 30:1, Isa 57:12, Isa 64:6; Rom 3:20-22, Rom 4:6-8; Rev 3:17, Rev 3:18 their works: Isa 5:7; Gen 6:11; Psa 58:2; Jer 6:7; Eze 7:11, Eze 7:23; Amo 3:10, Amo 6:3; Mic 2:1-3, Mic 2:8, Mic 3:1-11, Mic 6:12; Hab 1:2-4; Zep 1:9, Zep 3:3, Zep 3:4 Isaiah 59:7”
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Related study paths

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Sources and verification