Isaiah 59 5

Isaiah 59:5 kjv

They hatch cockatrice' eggs, and weave the spider's web: he that eateth of their eggs dieth, and that which is crushed breaketh out into a viper.

Isaiah 59:5 nkjv

They hatch vipers' eggs and weave the spider's web; He who eats of their eggs dies, And from that which is crushed a viper breaks out.

Isaiah 59:5 niv

They hatch the eggs of vipers and spin a spider's web. Whoever eats their eggs will die, and when one is broken, an adder is hatched.

Isaiah 59:5 esv

They hatch adders' eggs; they weave the spider's web; he who eats their eggs dies, and from one that is crushed a viper is hatched.

Isaiah 59:5 nlt

They hatch deadly snakes
and weave spiders' webs.
Whoever eats their eggs will die;
whoever cracks them will hatch a viper.

Isaiah 59 verses

Isaiah 59 5 Meaning

Isaiah 59:5 employs vivid imagery to describe the futile and destructive nature of the people's sinful deeds and plans. They invest deliberate effort in conceiving and carrying out wicked schemes, likened to hatching venomous serpent's eggs. Simultaneously, their attempts to secure themselves or cover their transgressions are as fragile and ineffectual as weaving a spider's web. The verse underscores the inherent deadliness of their actions: partaking in their corrupt practices leads to spiritual and actual death, and even superficially benign interaction with their wickedness will inevitably yield lethal consequences, like a crushed egg revealing a viper.

Isaiah 59 5 Context

Isaiah 59 opens with a stark declaration that the Lord's hand is not too short to save, nor His ear too dull to hear. Instead, it is the sins of His people that have created a barrier between them and their God. The preceding verses (59:1-4) detail these widespread iniquities: blood-guilt, lying, violence, and injustice. There is no one who pleads for righteousness, nor any who judge justly; they trust in emptiness and speak lies, conceiving mischief and bringing forth iniquity. Verse 5:5 directly follows this description, using metaphors to further illustrate the nature of their sinful "works" and their inevitable outcomes. This chapter, and indeed much of Isaiah, presents a strong indictment against Israel's moral decay and idolatry, lamenting their departure from God's covenant and law. The passage serves as a polemic against the contemporary beliefs that outward religious observances or self-devised solutions could substitute for genuine righteousness and obedience to God. The culture had embraced self-sufficiency and corrupt practices, ignoring the divine standard, and believed their own efforts could shield them from consequence or bring them salvation, which this verse directly refutes.

Isaiah 59 5 Word analysis

• They hatch (Hebrew: בָּקְעוּ - baqqəʿû): A verb meaning to cleave, break forth, or hatch. It conveys intentionality and effort, suggesting that their evil is not accidental but actively conceived and brought into being, like a deliberate breeding program.
• adders' eggs (Hebrew: בֵּיצֵי צִפְעוֹנִי - bêṣê ṣiphʿonî): "Bêṣê" means eggs, and "ṣiphʿonî" refers to a venomous serpent, likely a viper or cobra. This imagery immediately signifies inherent danger, hidden malice, and a guaranteed poisonous outcome. The evil originates from a source designed to be deadly.
• and weave (Hebrew: וְקוּרֵי עַכָּבִישׁ אֹרְגוּ - wəqûrê ʿakkābîš ʾorgû): The verb "ʾorgû" (to weave) suggests sustained effort and creation.
• the spider's web (Hebrew: קוּרֵי עַכָּבִישׁ - qûrê ʿakkābîš): "Qûrê" refers to the threads or webs, and "ʿakkābîš" is a spider. A spider's web is known for its fragility and its use in trapping victims, but it is utterly useless as a protective covering or garment. It symbolizes human attempts at self-sufficiency, self-righteousness, or devising schemes that, while intricate, are fundamentally weak, insubstantial, and incapable of providing true security or salvation.
• he who eats (Hebrew: הָאֹכֵל - hāʾōḵēl): The participle "the eater," implying anyone who partakes. This highlights the direct consequence of internalizing or participating in their "eggs."
• of their eggs dies: A clear, immediate, and fatal consequence. Consuming or embracing their corrupting schemes inevitably leads to spiritual or physical death. It underscores the destructive power inherent in their conceived evils.
• and from that which is crushed (Hebrew: וְהַזּוּרֶה תִּבָּקַע - wəhazzûreh tibbāqaʿ): "Hazzûreh" refers to something that is crushed, ground, or broken apart. Even if the evil (the egg) is seemingly destroyed or handled carelessly, its poisonous nature persists.
• a viper breaks out (Hebrew: יֵצֵא צִפְעֹונִי - yēṣēʾ ṣiphʿonî): "Yēṣēʾ" means to go forth or come out, and "ṣiphʿonî" is again a viper. This reinforces the idea that even when evil is attempted to be dismantled or merely exposed, its core venomous nature will manifest, proving inescapable and deadly. The nature of the evil is unchangeable and always leads to harm.

• "They hatch adders' eggs": This phrase denotes the deliberate cultivation of sin, implying that their wicked plans and actions are not accidental but carefully nurtured, growing from an inherently dangerous source.
• "and weave the spider's web": This imagery highlights the futility and weakness of their self-devised solutions or attempts to cover their wickedness. Their efforts, however elaborate, are insubstantial and provide no true security or righteousness.
• "he who eats of their eggs dies": This part emphasizes the direct, fatal consequence of partaking in or adopting their sinful schemes and ideologies. Internalizing evil leads to certain demise.
• "and from that which is crushed a viper breaks out": This powerful statement reveals the inescapable and insidious nature of their evil. Even if their wicked efforts seem to be dismantled or dismissed, the destructive essence remains, emerging in a dangerous, venomous form. The consequences of sin are inescapable.

Isaiah 59 5 Bonus section

The strong animal imagery in Isaiah 59:5 resonates with other prophetic texts and wisdom literature that characterize the nature of evil or human futility. The serpent motif harkens back to Gen 3, where the serpent introduced sin and death, marking its offspring with deceit and danger. The spider's web, also found in Job 8:14 and Job 27:18, serves as a consistent biblical symbol for what is weak, insubstantial, and quickly destroyed—a stark contrast to the durable and protective nature of God's provision and righteousness. This dual imagery creates a powerful theological statement: their actions are both actively malicious and entirely ineffective for genuine salvation or divine approval.

Isaiah 59 5 Commentary

Isaiah 59:5 employs two potent metaphors – hatching adders' eggs and weaving spiders' webs – to denounce the spiritual condition and practices of the people. The imagery of "adders' eggs" symbolizes the conception and nurturing of inherently venomous, life-destroying evil. Their plans, like these eggs, are incubated with malice and guarantee a deadly outcome. "He who eats of their eggs dies" graphically illustrates the immediate, fatal consequence of participating in their corruption. Concurrently, "weaving the spider's web" represents their attempts at self-salvation or creating covers for their unrighteousness. These efforts are fragile, useless, and utterly incapable of providing warmth, protection, or justice. Finally, "from that which is crushed a viper breaks out" underlines the pervasive and unyielding nature of their wickedness; even when seemingly contained or destroyed, its deadly core emerges anew. This verse starkly conveys that their self-initiated activities, no matter how conceived or managed, lead only to death and destruction, devoid of true righteousness or enduring security.