Isaiah 59:5

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 (KJV)

Context

Isaiah 59 addresses the sins and rebellion of Israel, showing how their iniquities have separated them from God. The preceding verses describe corrupt practices: they conceive mischief and bring forth iniquity, and their works are like spider’s webs that cannot cover their sin. Verse 5 uses vivid symbols to expose the nature and consequences of their evil deeds.

Meaning

The verse presents two striking images. First, they hatch cockatrice eggs. The Hebrew term for cockatrice refers to a venomous snake such as an adder or viper, and in ancient thought it was also pictured as a mythical serpent or dragon. Hatching such eggs means deliberately bringing forth evil deeds and false schemes. These plans may appear plausible on the outside, but they are poisonous and destructive. Second, they weave the spider’s web. Just as a spider skillfully spins its web to trap prey, the people engage in deceitful practices that entangle others and themselves. Yet their works are flimsy and useless for covering sin.

The second half of the verse warns of deadly consequences. Eating the eggs is a metaphor for partaking in the sinful deeds of others, and it leads to death. Crushing an egg releases a viper, showing that even attempts to deal with sin can unleash something more dangerous. Sin is not only harmful to others but also self-destructive and hazardous to handle.

Biblical connections

This imagery connects with the broader biblical teaching that sin deceives and destroys. The spider’s web recalls how human efforts to hide iniquity are futile, as seen throughout Isaiah. The cockatrice’s eggs symbolize false doctrines and schemes invented according to human fancies, which are pernicious. The verse underscores that sin cannot be overcome by human effort alone; it multiplies and escalates if left unchecked.

Application

Believers today can examine their own lives for areas where they may be entangled in deceit or sinful habits. The verse calls us to repent, turning away from evil and seeking God’s forgiveness and grace. It also reminds us not to rely on our own strength to overcome sin, but to depend on the power of God’s Spirit working within us. True deliverance comes through confession and trust in God’s intervention, not through self-made coverings.

Reflection

Isaiah 59:5 exposes the deceptive and deadly nature of sin, yet it also points to the need for redemption. The same chapter later proclaims God’s willingness to save and forgive those who turn to Him. As we consider the seriousness of sin, we can take comfort in the promise that God provides a way of escape through His grace.