Psalm 135:17
New International Version
They have ears, but cannot hear, nor is there breath in their mouths.

New Living Translation
They have ears but cannot hear, and mouths but cannot breathe.

English Standard Version
they have ears, but do not hear, nor is there any breath in their mouths.

Berean Standard Bible
they have ears, but cannot hear; nor is there breath in their mouths.

King James Bible
They have ears, but they hear not; neither is there any breath in their mouths.

New King James Version
They have ears, but they do not hear; Nor is there any breath in their mouths.

New American Standard Bible
They have ears, but they do not hear, Nor is there any breath at all in their mouths.

NASB 1995
They have ears, but they do not hear, Nor is there any breath at all in their mouths.

NASB 1977
They have ears, but they do not hear; Nor is there any breath at all in their mouths.

Legacy Standard Bible
They have ears, but they do not hear, Surely, there is not any breath in their mouths.

Amplified Bible
They have ears, but they do not hear, Nor is there any breath in their mouths.

Christian Standard Bible
They have ears but cannot hear; indeed, there is no breath in their mouths.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
They have ears but cannot hear; indeed, there is no breath in their mouths.

American Standard Version
They have ears, but they hear not; Neither is there any breath in their mouths.

Contemporary English Version
They are completely deaf, and they can't breathe.

English Revised Version
They have ears, but they hear not; neither is there any breath in their mouths.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
They have ears, but they cannot hear. They cannot breathe.

Good News Translation
They have ears, but cannot hear; they are not even able to breathe.

International Standard Version
ears are attributed to them, but they do not hear, and there is no breath in their mouths.

Majority Standard Bible
they have ears, but cannot hear; nor is there breath in their mouths.

NET Bible
and ears, but cannot hear. Indeed, they cannot breathe.

New Heart English Bible
They have ears, but they can't hear; neither is there any breath in their mouths.

Webster's Bible Translation
They have ears, but they hear not; neither is there any breath in their mouths.

World English Bible
They have ears, but they can’t hear, neither is there any breath in their mouths.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
They have ears, and they do not give ear, "" Nose—there is no breath in their mouth!

Young's Literal Translation
Ears they have, and they give not ear, Nose -- there is no breath in their mouth!

Smith's Literal Translation
Ears to them, and they shall not hear; also there is no spirit in their mouth.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
They have ears, but they hear not: neither is there any breath in their mouths.

Catholic Public Domain Version
They have ears, and do not hear. For neither is there any breath in their mouths.

New American Bible
They have ears but do not hear; nor is there breath in their mouths.

New Revised Standard Version
they have ears, but they do not hear, and there is no breath in their mouths.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
They have ears, but they hear not; neither is there any breath in their mouths.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
They have ears and they do not hear, neither is there breath in their mouths.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
They have ears, but they hear not; Neither is there any breath in their mouths.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
they have ears, but they cannot hear; for there is no breath in their mouth.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Your Name, O LORD, Endures Forever
16They have mouths, but cannot speak; they have eyes, but cannot see; 17they have ears, but cannot hear; nor is there breath in their mouths. 18Those who make them become like them, as do all who trust in them.…

Cross References
Psalm 115:5-7
They have mouths, but cannot speak; they have eyes, but cannot see; / they have ears, but cannot hear; they have noses, but cannot smell; / they have hands, but cannot feel; they have feet, but cannot walk; they cannot even clear their throats.

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 10:5
Like scarecrows in a cucumber patch, their idols cannot speak. They must be carried because they cannot walk. Do not fear them, for they can do no harm, and neither can they do any good.”

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.”

Deuteronomy 4:28
And there you will serve man-made gods of wood and stone, which cannot see or hear or eat or smell.

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 46:7
They lift it to their shoulder and carry it along; they set it in its place, and there it stands, not budging from that spot. They cry out to it, but it does not answer; it saves no one from his troubles.

Jeremiah 51:17-18
Every man is senseless and devoid of knowledge; every goldsmith is put to shame by his idols. For his molten images are a fraud, and there is no breath in them. / They are worthless, a work to be mocked. In the time of their punishment they will perish.

1 Corinthians 12:2
You know that when you were pagans, you were influenced and led astray to mute idols.

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 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.”

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.

Matthew 13:13-15
This is why I speak to them in parables: ‘Though seeing, they do not see; though hearing, they do not hear or understand.’ / 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?

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.’


Treasury of Scripture

They have ears, but they hear not; neither is there any breath in their mouths.

no reference

Jump to Previous
Breath Ear Ears Hear Hearing Mouth Mouths Nose
Jump to Next
Breath Ear Ears Hear Hearing Mouth Mouths Nose
Psalm 135
1. An exhortation to praise God for his mercy
5. For his power
8. For his judgments
15. The vanity of idols
19. An exhortation to bless God














They have ears
The phrase "They have ears" refers to the physical form of idols, which are often crafted to resemble living beings. In the Hebrew context, the word for "ears" is "אָזְנַיִם" (oznayyim), which signifies the organ of hearing. This highlights the irony and futility of idol worship, as these man-made objects possess the form of ears but lack the ability to perceive or respond. Historically, idols were crafted with great care and detail, yet they remained lifeless. This serves as a reminder of the living God who not only hears but also responds to the cries of His people, contrasting the impotence of idols with the omnipotence of God.

but cannot hear
The phrase "but cannot hear" emphasizes the incapacity of idols to engage with the world. The Hebrew word for "hear" is "שָׁמַע" (shama), which means to listen or to obey. This word is often used in the context of God hearing the prayers of His people. The inability of idols to hear underscores their powerlessness and the futility of relying on them for guidance or help. In a broader scriptural context, this serves as a call to trust in the living God, who is attentive and responsive to His creation.

nor is there breath
"Nor is there breath" speaks to the absence of life within idols. The Hebrew word for "breath" is "רוּחַ" (ruach), which can also mean spirit or wind. This word is often associated with the life-giving breath of God, as seen in Genesis when God breathes life into Adam. The absence of breath in idols highlights their lifelessness and contrasts with the life-giving power of God. This serves as a reminder that true life and vitality come from the Creator, not from created objects.

in their mouths
The phrase "in their mouths" refers to the mouths of idols, which, though crafted to appear as if they could speak, remain silent. The Hebrew word for "mouth" is "פֶּה" (peh), which is often used in the context of speech and communication. The inability of idols to speak signifies their lack of power and authority. In contrast, the Word of God is living and active, as described in Hebrews 4:12. This highlights the importance of seeking guidance and truth from God, who speaks through His Word and through His Spirit, rather than from lifeless idols.

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,
יַאֲזִ֑ינוּ (ya·’ă·zî·nū)
Verb - Hifil - Imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 238: To broaden out the ear, to listen

nor
אֵין־ (’ên-)
Adverb
Strong's 369: A non-entity, a negative particle

is there
יֶשׁ־ (yeš-)
Adverb
Strong's 3426: Being, substance, existence, is

breath
ר֥וּחַ (rū·aḥ)
Noun - common singular
Strong's 7307: Wind, breath, exhalation, life, anger, unsubstantiality, a region of the sky, spirit

in their mouths.
בְּפִיהֶֽם׃ (bə·p̄î·hem)
Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine plural
Strong's 6310: The mouth, edge, portion, side, according to


Links
Psalm 135:17 NIV
Psalm 135:17 NLT
Psalm 135:17 ESV
Psalm 135:17 NASB
Psalm 135:17 KJV

Psalm 135:17 BibleApps.com
Psalm 135:17 Biblia Paralela
Psalm 135:17 Chinese Bible
Psalm 135:17 French Bible
Psalm 135:17 Catholic Bible

OT Poetry: Psalm 135:17 They have ears but they can't hear (Psalm Ps Psa.)
Psalm 135:16
Top of Page
Top of Page