Spiders are one of the most common symbols in dreams. Everyone has had a dream with a spider in it at some point, but not everyone knows what it means. Typically, you will be told that spiders represent the occult. That is true, but like any symbol, there are many different possible meanings that can be determined by establishing the context in which the symbol was used. Let's take a look.
There is so much more to spiders than what meets the eye. With a little elbow grease and some research, understanding spiders in dreams actually reveals levels of spiritual warfare that are essential to understanding what God is trying to tell you in a subtle way in your dreams.
Spiders usually, but not always, represent occult activity of some kind, or a Jezebel spirit. It can also represent craftiness which we see in Proverbs, and it can represent fragile plans that someone has woven, leaned on, and trusted in that are easily torn apart. It is important to remember the geographic origin of a spider and the type of spider it is. I will list a few different spiders and the possible meanings of the symbol in a dream later.
In the book of Job, and the book of Isaiah it speaks of spider webs as representing webs of lies, or traps that are set by the enemy. The purpose of the web is used by God in dreams to represent a trap that has been skillfully woven by a manipulator of the occult or a wicked person as Isaiah describes in Isaiah 59.
To dream of a spider will typically show you that there is some sort of spiritual warfare. in some way, shape, or form a wicked person has woven a web of lies that are designed to ensnare and trap a victim and cause them spiritual death. In Isaiah 59 Isaiah specifically relates a serpent (adder) with weaving a spider's web.
The interesting thing to take note of is that the serpent is typically used to denote witchcraft, a witch, a sorcerer, a soothsayer, a diviner or any manner of occultist the Hebrew words used to describe witches is typically refers to hissing or whispering (like a snake). The word used to describe adder is from a root meaning to hiss or stick out one's tongue. Also, the word tsepha references an ancient mythological serpent also known as the cockatrice.
Side Note: It's interesting how just because we don't see these "mythological" creatures manifested that we assume they were old wives-tales and just dismiss them as such. Such demonic forces as the Leviathan, the cockatrice, the dragon, and other demonic beings are specifically named for a reason. I believe that these creatures are not just storybook creatures, but are descriptions of different types of demons.
The reason that Isaiah compared a serpent and a spider's web was to show you the dynamics of witchcraft. It not only displays the straight forward property of the witch but also outlines how spiritual warfare works. The serpent is represented as being a whisperer which denotes that it speaks in some form. The sorcerer or witch is described in the same manner by being titled with a variant of the word used for serpent (Strong's 5175 Nachash means serpent, and in Strong's 5172 Nachash means to practice divination. You see a similar description in Acts when Paul casts a spirit of "pythos" (serpent spirit) out of a woman).
Weaving a web in the spirit realm is not saying that they are demonic spider spirits. Weaving a web in the occult, what it is saying is that they are speaking out curses line after line in an effort to ensnare you. The word used to describe a web is actually rooted from the Hebrew word quwr, which means to dig down, or to bore. This is showing another aspect of spiritual warfare that is akin to how the enemy digs a pit for someone to fall into.
Let's take a look at Proverbs 26: 23-28, "Like a coating of silver dross on earthenware are fervent lips with an evil heart. Enemies disguise themselves with their lips, but in their hearts, they harbor deceit. Though their speech is charming, do not believe them, for seven abominations fill their hearts. Their malice may be concealed by deception, but their wickedness will be exposed in the assembly. Whoever digs a pit will fall into it; if someone rolls a stone, it will roll back on them. A lying tongue hates those it hurts, and a flattering mouth works ruin."
This is the basic calling card of the enemy. They hate everyone and everything with no regard for any person. The whole purpose of the enemy is to trap you, ensnare you, steal your identity or attack your identity, and kill you physically and spiritually. In Exodus God is going through Egypt and he is holding the Destroyer, Ha- Mashit, at bay for anyone that had the blood of the lamb covering them. Ha-Mashit means to spoil, to decay, to become corrupt. So, the title not only means destroyer, but it also means the corrupt one. In John 10:10 you learn, " The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full." Ha-Mashit is the same demon that is named in Isaiah 54 as the enemy that works against God's plans to attack and destroy people. Steal, Kill, and Destroy is not only the calling card of the enemy but is also his title that is revealed to us all the way back to Exodus.
In John 8:44 Jesus reveals that the nature of Satan, the thief, was a murder from the very beginning. "You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father's desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies."
Now that we have looked at the aspect of the Dream symbol of spiders themselves and what they represent, let's look at some of their features both positive and negative. A spider has a purpose in the natural. Spider's help control insects and pests. In a positive context of a dream a spider trapping a pest, such as a fly or a bug of some sort, could represent something that has been bothering you that has been removed and destroyed from your life.
Spiders have sharp teeth which they use to release venom to paralyze their prey and then they cover their prey with digestive fluid in order to liquefy their meat so that they can eat it. Throughout the Bible, you see multiple times such as Proverbs 30:14; Psalm 58:16; Psalm 57:4 that describe teeth as spears, swords, daggers, arrows, etc. They are used to devour. So, a spider can represent the enemy trying to dissolve your identity to consume who you are and attack you with their words.
Spiders have eight legs, which is significant in and of itself. Typically, the number 8 has a positive connotation. It represents transition into the supernatural realm. In this context, it indicates that something is emanating from the supernatural realm. 8 also represents sin and occult. In a positive context, it represents a restoration of the house (family), whereas a spider will typically represent the destruction of a family or a person's life.
A spider weaves a web. Webs are sticky and difficult to escape when something is trapped in it. Typically, this is a death sentence for most that are caught in the web.
Now that we have gone over the basics of what spiders can represent let me share with you some specific spiders and what their names and attributes will represent. It is key to remember that while all enemy spirits steal, kill, and destroy they do have specialized areas that they will be assigned to attack in. The reason God gives us specific types of spiders in dreams is to identify the area of our life they attacking; to identify the nature of the attack; to expose the plans of the enemy for your life.
Armed Spider- Type of attack that is “armed” for combat or has some form of “armament” to attack with.
Black Widow- Spirit of lust; Jezebel spirit; lures in its mate then devours it; Note: black widow’s eggs will not be fertile if the father is allowed to live and is not consumed. Thus, being the case, if the spider is not allowed to feed it cannot reproduce itself. The enemy employs a similar tactic on us by trying to lure the children of God away with their own selfish lusts/desires, then killing them in sin when they are caught up in the web. If the Children of God do not feed on the word of the Lord, they will not be able to reproduce children of God as effectively as they could if they ate the bread and drank the wine daily. Instead of feeding on God, the enemy feeds on his children and drinks their blood as a counterfeit of the Holy Communion.
Brown recluse- multiple aspects of attack coming from the enemy. Brown, in a negative sense, represents compromise; false humility; lack of compassion; humanistic nature; earthliness/ carnality of man. A brown recluse can represent an attack of the enemy in regards of compromise; A lack of compassion; indulging in the lust of the flesh; Recluse could also be a play on words meaning to separate; to set apart from others; to isolate.
Daddy Longlegs- Male Type Jezebel; Many legs that are long and far-reaching; Spiders typically represent occult activity. Can represent father issues reaching long distances; Occult activity from your father's family line; father issues; extremely venomous spider but cannot penetrate the skin of humans.
Tarantula- Can be a pet; may be indicative of a type of occult attack, or geographic origin of attack; originally believed to be the cause of hysterical behavior in the middle ages.
Wolf spider- Predatory occult spirit; hunts its prey; indicative of church-oriented attack i.e. a wolf in sheep’s clothing; does not spin a web but waits for its prey to draw near so it can surprise it and kill it instantly. It's a persistent and patient attack that catches you off guard.
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