עַכָּבִישׁ
𐤏𐤊𐤁𐤉𐤔
ʻakkâbîysh
H5908 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
A spider; specifically, a type of small arthropod known for spinning webs. In biblical usage, refers to a spider as a metaphor for fragility and impermanence, or literally as an animal that spins intricate webs.
Semantic Range
spider; one who spins or weaves webs; metaphor for fragility or impermanence; symbol of plans or hopes that lack substance or strength
Root / Etymology
Root: עכב (ʿ-k-b), meaning 'to entangle, ensnare, weave.' The noun עַכָּבִישׁ (ʿakkāvîš) is derived as a denominative form, with the sense of 'one who entangles' or 'web-spinner.' The verbal root does not otherwise occur in Biblical Hebrew, making the derivation somewhat conjectural; thus, etymology is partly uncertain but broadly relates to the concept of entangling or weaving.
Historical & Contextual Notes
The term עַכָּבִישׁ appears in poetic contexts (e.g., Job 8:14; Isaiah 59:5) where the spider's web is used as a symbol of fragility, transience, and lack of permanence—contrasting with stronger forms of support, such as rock or fortress. The spider and its web serve as metaphors for human plans or security that quickly fail or cannot support weight. In ancient Israelite society, spiders were considered insignificant or feeble creatures, as also suggested in Proverbs 30:28 (though a different word is used there). English translations generally render עַכָּבִישׁ as 'spider,' but may miss the metaphorical nuance present in the Hebrew poetry. The term does not specifically reference any later symbolism associated with spiders in other cultures or periods.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
probably from an unused root in the literal sense of entangling; a spider (as weaving a network); spider.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
עכב (ʿ-k-b) — to entangle, ensnare, weave
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| H5909 | עַכְבָּר | mice of |
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H5908-01 |
עַכָּבִ֖ישׁ | akavish | HNcmsa |
of spider | web-spinner | 2 |
Occurrences in Scripture
2 total occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H5908-01 |
Isaiah 59:5 | עַכָּבִ֖ישׁ | akavish | HNcmsa |
of spider | web-spinner |
H5908-01 |
Job 8:14 | עַ֝כָּבִ֗ישׁ | akavish | HNcmsa |
spider | web-spinner |