Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version They have ears, but cannot hear, noses, but cannot smell. New Living Translation They have ears but cannot hear, and noses but cannot smell. English Standard Version They have ears, but do not hear; noses, but do not smell. Berean Standard Bible they have ears, but cannot hear; they have noses, but cannot smell; King James Bible They have ears, but they hear not: noses have they, but they smell not: New King James Version They have ears, but they do not hear; Noses they have, but they do not smell; New American Standard Bible They have ears, but they cannot hear; They have noses, but they cannot smell; NASB 1995 They have ears, but they cannot hear; They have noses, but they cannot smell; NASB 1977 They have ears, but they cannot hear; They have noses, but they cannot smell; Legacy Standard Bible They have ears, but they do not hear; They have noses, but they do not smell; Amplified Bible They have ears, but they cannot hear; They have noses, but they cannot smell; Christian Standard Bible They have ears but cannot hear, noses, but cannot smell. Holman Christian Standard Bible They have ears but cannot hear, noses, but cannot smell. American Standard Version They have ears, but they hear not; Noses have they, but they smell not; Contemporary English Version Their ears can't hear, and their noses can't smell. English Revised Version They have ears, but they hear not; noses have they, but they smell not; GOD'S WORD® Translation They have ears, but they cannot hear. They have noses, but they cannot smell. Good News Translation They have ears, but cannot hear, and noses, but cannot smell. International Standard Version They have ears, but cannot hear; they have noses, but cannot smell. Majority Standard Bible they have ears, but cannot hear; they have noses, but cannot smell; NET Bible ears, but cannot hear, noses, but cannot smell, New Heart English Bible They have ears, but they do not hear. They have noses, but they do not smell. Webster's Bible Translation They have ears, but they hear not: noses have they, but they smell not: World English Bible They have ears, but they don’t hear. They have noses, but they don’t smell. Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionThey have ears, and they do not hear, "" They have a nose, and they do not smell, Young's Literal Translation Ears they have, and they hear not, A nose they have, and they smell not, Smith's Literal Translation Ears to them, and they shall not hear: a nose to them, and they shall not smell: Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleThey have ears and hear not: they have noses and smell not. Catholic Public Domain Version New American Bible They have ears but do not hear, noses but do not smell. New Revised Standard Version They have ears, but do not hear; noses, but do not smell. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleThey have ears, but they hear not; noses have they, but they smell not; Peshitta Holy Bible Translated They have ears and they do not hear; they have noses and they do not smell. OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917They have ears, but they hear not; Noses have they, but they smell not; Brenton Septuagint Translation they have ears, but they cannot hear; they have noses, but they cannot smell; Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context To Your Name Be the Glory…5They have mouths, but cannot speak; they have eyes, but cannot see; 6they have ears, but cannot hear; they have noses, but cannot smell; 7they have hands, but cannot feel; they have feet, but cannot walk; they cannot even clear their throats.… Cross References Isaiah 44:18 They do not comprehend or discern, for He has shut their eyes so they cannot see and closed their minds so they cannot understand. Jeremiah 5:21 “Hear this, O foolish and senseless people, who have eyes but do not see, who have ears but do not hear. Ezekiel 12:2 “Son of man, you are living in a rebellious house. They have eyes to see but do not see, and ears to hear but do not hear, for they are a rebellious house. Deuteronomy 4:28 And there you will serve man-made gods of wood and stone, which cannot see or hear or eat or smell. Habakkuk 2:18-19 What use is an idol, that a craftsman should carve it—or an image, a teacher of lies? For its maker trusts in his own creation; he makes idols that cannot speak. / Woe to him who says to wood, ‘Awake!’ or to silent stone, ‘Arise!’ Can it give guidance? Behold, it is overlaid with gold and silver, yet there is no breath in it at all.” 1 Kings 18:26-29 And they took the bull that was given them, prepared it, and called on the name of Baal from morning until noon, shouting, “O Baal, answer us!” But there was no sound, and no one answered as they leaped around the altar they had made. / At noon Elijah began to taunt them, saying, “Shout louder, for he is a god! Perhaps he is deep in thought, or occupied, or on a journey. Perhaps he is sleeping and must be awakened!” / So they shouted louder and cut themselves with knives and lances, as was their custom, until the blood gushed over them. ... Isaiah 6:9-10 And He replied: “Go and tell this people, ‘Be ever hearing, but never understanding; be ever seeing, but never perceiving.’ / Make the hearts of this people calloused; deafen their ears and close their eyes. Otherwise they might see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their hearts, and turn and be healed.” Matthew 13:14-15 In them the prophecy of Isaiah is fulfilled: ‘You will be ever hearing but never understanding; you will be ever seeing but never perceiving. / For this people’s heart has grown callous; they hardly hear with their ears, and they have closed their eyes. Otherwise they might see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their hearts, and turn, and I would heal them.’ Mark 8:18 ‘Having eyes, do you not see? And having ears, do you not hear?’ And do you not remember? Romans 11:8 as it is written: “God gave them a spirit of stupor, eyes that could not see, and ears that could not hear, to this very day.” 2 Corinthians 3:14-15 But their minds were closed. For to this day the same veil remains at the reading of the old covenant. It has not been lifted, because only in Christ can it be removed. / And even to this day when Moses is read, a veil covers their hearts. Acts 28:26-27 ‘Go to this people and say, “You will be ever hearing but never understanding; you will be ever seeing but never perceiving.” / For this people’s heart has grown callous; they hardly hear with their ears, and they have closed their eyes. Otherwise they might see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their hearts, and turn, and I would heal them.’ Revelation 9:20 Now the rest of mankind who were not killed by these plagues still did not repent of the works of their hands. They did not stop worshiping demons and idols of gold, silver, bronze, stone, and wood, which cannot see or hear or walk. Isaiah 42:17-18 But those who trust in idols and say to molten images, ‘You are our gods!’ will be turned back in utter shame. / Listen, you deaf ones; look, you blind ones, that you may see! Psalm 135:16-17 They have mouths, but cannot speak; they have eyes, but cannot see; / they have ears, but cannot hear; nor is there breath in their mouths. Treasury of Scripture They have ears, but they hear not: noses have they, but they smell not: no reference Jump to Previous Ears Hear Hearing Nose Noses Sense SmellJump to Next Ears Hear Hearing Nose Noses Sense SmellPsalm 115 1. Because God is truly glorious4. And idols are vanity 9. He exhorts to confidence in God 12. God is to be blessed for his blessing they have ears, but cannot hear; This phrase highlights the impotence of idols, contrasting them with the living God who hears the prayers of His people. In biblical context, hearing is often associated with understanding and responding (e.g., Deuteronomy 6:4, "Hear, O Israel"). The inability of idols to hear emphasizes their lifelessness and futility. This is a recurring theme in the Old Testament, where the prophets often mock the senselessness of idol worship (e.g., Isaiah 44:18-20). The phrase also serves as a warning against spiritual deafness, urging believers to be attentive to God's voice, as seen in Jesus' teachings (e.g., Matthew 11:15, "He who has ears, let him hear"). they have noses, but cannot smell; Persons / Places / Events 1. PsalmistThe author of Psalm 115, traditionally attributed to David or another Israelite leader, who contrasts the living God with lifeless idols. 2. Idols The focus of this verse, representing man-made objects of worship that are powerless and senseless. 3. Israel The nation to whom the Psalm is addressed, often tempted by idolatry and called to worship the one true God. 4. Pagan Nations Surrounding cultures that worshipped idols, influencing Israel and providing a backdrop for the Psalmist's warnings. 5. Temple Worship The context in which the Psalm would be sung, emphasizing the worship of Yahweh over idols. Teaching Points The Futility of IdolatryIdols are powerless and senseless, unable to respond to human needs. This highlights the futility of placing trust in anything other than God. The Living God Unlike idols, God is living and active, able to hear, see, and respond to His people. This should encourage believers to seek Him in prayer and worship. Spiritual Discernment Believers are called to discern the difference between the living God and lifeless idols, avoiding modern forms of idolatry such as materialism or self-reliance. Faithfulness in Worship The Psalm encourages exclusive worship of God, reminding believers of the importance of faithfulness in their relationship with Him. Witness to the World By rejecting idols and worshiping the true God, believers serve as a testimony to the world of God's power and reality. Parallel Commentaries ... Hebrew they have ears,אָזְנַ֣יִם (’ā·zə·na·yim) Noun - fd Strong's 241: Broadness, the ear but cannot וְלֹ֣א (wə·lō) Conjunctive waw | Adverb - Negative particle Strong's 3808: Not, no hear; יִשְׁמָ֑עוּ (yiš·mā·‘ū) Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine plural Strong's 8085: To hear intelligently they have noses, אַ֥ף (’ap̄) Noun - masculine singular Strong's 639: The nose, nostril, the face, a person, ire but cannot וְלֹ֣א (wə·lō) Conjunctive waw | Adverb - Negative particle Strong's 3808: Not, no smell; יְרִיחֽוּן׃ (yə·rî·ḥūn) Verb - Hifil - Imperfect - third person masculine plural | Paragogic nun Strong's 7306: Accept, smell, touch, make of quick understanding Links Psalm 115:6 NIVPsalm 115:6 NLT Psalm 115:6 ESV Psalm 115:6 NASB Psalm 115:6 KJV Psalm 115:6 BibleApps.com Psalm 115:6 Biblia Paralela Psalm 115:6 Chinese Bible Psalm 115:6 French Bible Psalm 115:6 Catholic Bible OT Poetry: Psalm 115:6 They have ears but they don't hear (Psalm Ps Psa.) |
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