Psalms 135:17
Psalms 135:17 in Multiple Translations
they have ears, but cannot hear; nor is there breath in their mouths.
They have ears, but they hear not; neither is there any breath in their mouths.
They have ears, but they hear not; Neither is there any breath in their mouths.
They have ears, but no hearing; and there is no breath in their mouths.
They have ears, but can't hear; they can't even breathe!
They haue eares and heare not, neither is there any breath in their mouth.
Ears they have, and they give not ear, Nose — there is no breath in their mouth!
They have ears, but they can’t hear, neither is there any breath in their mouths.
They have ears, but they hear not; neither is there any breath in their mouths.
Who smote great kings: for his mercy endureth for ever.
They have ears, but they cannot hear anything, and they are not even able to breathe.
Berean Amplified Bible — Psalms 135:17
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Psalms 135:17 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
אָזְנַ֣יִם
לָ֭/הֶם
וְ/לֹ֣א
יַאֲזִ֑ינוּ
אַ֝֗ף
אֵין
יֶשׁ
ר֥וּחַ
בְּ/פִי/הֶֽם
אָזְנַ֣יִם
ʼôzen
H241
ear
N-fd
לָ֭/הֶם
Prep | Suff
וְ/לֹ֣א
lôʼ
H3808
not
Conj | Part
יַאֲזִ֑ינוּ
ʼâzan
H238
to listen
V-Hiphil-Imperf-3mp
אַ֝֗ף
ʼaph
H637
also
DirObjM
אֵין
ʼayin
H369
nothing
Part
יֶשׁ
yêsh
H3426
there
Part
ר֥וּחַ
rûwach
H7307
spirit
N-cs
בְּ/פִי/הֶֽם
peh
H6310
lip
Prep | N-ms | Suff
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Psalms 135:17
אָזְנַ֣יִם
ʼôzen
H241
"ear"
N-fd
The Hebrew word for ear, referring to the body part or the ability to hear, is used in various contexts, including listening to God's voice in Psalm 40:6. It can also mean to uncover or reveal something, as in 1 Samuel 20:2.
Definition: : ear 1) ear, as part of the body 2) ear, as organ of hearing 3) (subjective) to uncover the ear to reveal; the receiver of divine revelation
Usage: Occurs in 179 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] advertise, audience, [phrase] displease, ear, hearing, [phrase] show. See also: Genesis 20:8; Psalms 40:7; Psalms 10:17.
לָ֭/הֶם
""
Prep | Suff
וְ/לֹ֣א
lôʼ
H3808
"not"
Conj | Part
The Hebrew word for not or no is used to indicate absence or negation, as when God says no to the Israelites' requests, or when they disobey His commands.
Definition: 1) not, no 1a) not (with verb-absolute prohibition) 1b) not (with modifier-negation) 1c) nothing (subst) 1d) without (with particle) 1e) before (of time) Aramaic equivalent: la (לָא "not" H3809)
Usage: Occurs in 3967 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] before, [phrase] or else, ere, [phrase] except, ig(-norant), much, less, nay, neither, never, no((-ne), -r, (-thing)), ([idiom] as though...,(can-), for) not (out of), of nought, otherwise, out of, [phrase] surely, [phrase] as truly as, [phrase] of a truth, [phrase] verily, for want, [phrase] whether, without. See also: Genesis 2:5; Genesis 31:15; Exodus 4:9.
יַאֲזִ֑ינוּ
ʼâzan
H238
"to listen"
V-Hiphil-Imperf-3mp
To listen or hear is the meaning of this Hebrew word, often implying obedience or paying attention to what is being said, as in 1 Kings 3:9.
Definition: 1) to hear, listen 1a) (Hiphil) 1a1) to hear, listen, give ear 1a2) to be obedient, harken 1a3) to hear or listen to prayers (of God)
Usage: Occurs in 41 OT verses. KJV: give (perceive by the) ear, hear(-ken). See H239 (אָזַן). See also: Genesis 4:23; Psalms 77:2; Psalms 5:2.
אַ֝֗ף
ʼaph
H637
"also"
DirObjM
The Hebrew word for 'also' or 'addition', used to connect ideas or show a relationship between them, as seen in Genesis and Exodus. It can also mean 'though' or 'yet', indicating a contrast. This word is often used to add emphasis or provide more information.
Definition: conj (denoting addition, esp of something greater) 1) also, yea, though, so much the more adv 2) furthermore, indeed Aramaic equivalent: aph (אַף "also" H0638)
Usage: Occurs in 123 OT verses. KJV: also, [phrase] although, and (furthermore, yet), but, even, [phrase] how much less (more, rather than), moreover, with, yea. See also: Genesis 3:1; Psalms 16:6; Psalms 16:7.
אֵין
ʼayin
H369
"nothing"
Part
This word means nothing or not, often used to indicate the absence of something, as in Genesis 1:2 where the earth was without form. It emphasizes the idea of something lacking or non-existent.
Definition: 1) nothing, not, nought n 1a) nothing, nought neg 1b) not 1c) to have not (of possession) adv 1d) without w/prep 1e) for lack of
Usage: Occurs in 686 OT verses. KJV: else, except, fail, (father-) less, be gone, in(-curable), neither, never, no (where), none, nor, (any, thing), not, nothing, to nought, past, un(-searchable), well-nigh, without. Compare H370 (אַיִן). See also: Genesis 2:5; Deuteronomy 14:27; 1 Kings 15:22.
יֶשׁ
yêsh
H3426
"there"
Part
This Hebrew word means 'there is' or 'there are', used to show existence or being. It appears in various forms, like 'to be' or 'to have'. In the Bible, it's used in Genesis and Psalms to describe God's presence.
Definition: 1) being, existence, substance, there is or are 1a) substance 1b) existence 1c) there is or are Aramaic equivalent: i.tay (אִיתַי "there is" H0383)
Usage: Occurs in 129 OT verses. KJV: (there) are, (he, it, shall, there, there may, there shall, there should) be, thou do, had, hast, (which) hath, (I, shalt, that) have, (he, it, there) is, substance, it (there) was, (there) were, ye will, thou wilt, wouldest. See also: Genesis 18:24; Nehemiah 5:2; Psalms 7:4.
ר֥וּחַ
rûwach
H7307
"spirit"
N-cs
In the Bible, this word for spirit refers to the breath of life, the wind, or a person's mind and emotions, as seen in the book of Ezekiel.
Definition: : spirit 1) wind, breath, mind, spirit 1a) breath 1b) wind 1b1) of heaven 1b2) quarter (of wind), side 1b3) breath of air 1b4) air, gas 1b5) vain, empty thing 1c) spirit (as that which breathes quickly in animation or agitation) 1c1) spirit, animation, vivacity, vigour 1c2) courage 1c3) temper, anger 1c4) impatience, patience 1c5) spirit, disposition (as troubled, bitter, discontented) 1c6) disposition (of various kinds), unaccountable or uncontrollable impulse 1c7) prophetic spirit 1d) spirit (of the living, breathing being in man and animals) 1d1) as gift, preserved by God, God's spirit, departing at death, disembodied being 1e) spirit (as seat of emotion) 1e1) desire 1e2) sorrow, trouble 1f) spirit 1f1) as seat or organ of mental acts 1f2) rarely of the will 1f3) as seat especially of moral character 1g) Spirit of God, the third person of the triune God, the Holy Spirit, coequal, coeternal with the Father and the Son 1g1) as inspiring ecstatic state of prophecy 1g2) as impelling prophet to utter instruction or warning 1g3) imparting warlike energy and executive and administrative power 1g4) as endowing men with various gifts 1g5) as energy of life 1g6) as manifest in the Shekinah glory 1g7) never referred to as a depersonalised force
Usage: Occurs in 348 OT verses. KJV: air, anger, blast, breath, [idiom] cool, courage, mind, [idiom] quarter, [idiom] side, spirit(-ual), tempest, [idiom] vain, (whirl-) wind(-y). See also: Genesis 1:2; Job 6:26; Psalms 1:4.
בְּ/פִי/הֶֽם
peh
H6310
"lip"
Prep | N-ms | Suff
In the Bible, this Hebrew word refers to the mouth, lips, or edge of something, and can also mean a portion or side of something. It is often used to describe speech or the act of speaking. This word appears in various forms, such as mouth, lip, or edge.
Definition: : lip/mouth peh 1) mouth 1a) mouth (of man) 1b) mouth (as organ of speech) 1c) mouth (of animals) 1d) mouth, opening, orifice (of a well, river, etc) 1e) extremity, end pim 2) a weight equal to one third of a shekel, occurs only in 1Sa 13:21
Usage: Occurs in 460 OT verses. KJV: accord(-ing as, -ing to), after, appointment, assent, collar, command(-ment), [idiom] eat, edge, end, entry, [phrase] file, hole, [idiom] in, mind, mouth, part, portion, [idiom] (should) say(-ing), sentence, skirt, sound, speech, [idiom] spoken, talk, tenor, [idiom] to, [phrase] two-edged, wish, word. See also: Genesis 4:11; Deuteronomy 21:17; Ezra 9:11.
Study Notes — Psalms 135:17
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Psalms 135:17 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Psalms 135:17
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Psalms 135:17
- Trapp's Commentary on Psalms 135:17
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Psalms 135:17
- Cambridge Bible on Psalms 135:17
- Whedon's Commentary on Psalms 135:17
Context — Give Praise, O Servants of the LORD
15The idols of the nations are silver and gold, made by the hands of men.
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. 19O house of Israel, bless the LORD; O house of Aaron, bless the LORD;Psalms 135:17 Summary
This verse is saying that idols, or fake gods, are not really alive and cannot hear or respond to people. They are just lifeless objects that people make, and they do not have the power to help or listen to us. In contrast, the God of the Bible is a living, loving God who hears our prayers and responds to our needs, as seen in Psalms 34:15 and Matthew 7:7-8. We can trust in Him and have a personal relationship with Him, rather than relying on powerless idols.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it mean that idols have ears but cannot hear?
This means that idols are unable to perceive or respond to the world around them, unlike the living God who hears our prayers, as seen in Psalms 34:15 and Psalms 65:2.
Why does the verse mention breath in the mouths of idols?
The mention of breath emphasizes the lifelessness of idols, contrasting them with the living God who gives breath to all living things, as stated in Genesis 2:7 and Job 33:4.
How do idols compare to the God of the Bible?
Idols are lifeless, inanimate objects that cannot see, speak, or hear, whereas the God of the Bible is a living, all-powerful, and all-knowing being who actively engages with His creation, as seen in Jeremiah 23:24 and Hebrews 4:13.
What is the significance of the idols' inability to hear?
The inability of idols to hear highlights their powerlessness and inability to respond to human needs, unlike the God who hears the cries of the afflicted and responds with compassion, as seen in Exodus 2:24 and Psalms 107:28.
Reflection Questions
- What are some ways that I may be trusting in 'idols' in my own life, and how can I turn my heart back to the living God?
- How does the lifelessness of idols compare to the vibrant, personal relationship that I can have with God through Jesus Christ?
- What are some ways that I can 'bless the LORD' and acknowledge His power and presence in my life, as encouraged in Psalms 135:19?
- In what ways can I be more mindful of the fact that God is always present and always hearing my prayers, and how can this truth shape my daily life?
Gill's Exposition on Psalms 135:17
They have ears, but they hear not,.... [See comments on Psalms 115:6]; neither is there [any] breath in their mouths; they are lifeless statues, they have not so much as what the brute creatures
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Psalms 135:17
They have ears, but they hear not; neither is there any breath in their mouths. Neither is there any breath in their mouths. So far are they from speaking, that they have not even the breath in their mouths which dumb snips have.
Trapp's Commentary on Psalms 135:17
Psalms 135:17 They have ears, but they hear not; neither is there [any] breath in their mouths.Ver. 17. Neither is there any breath in their mouths] If they utter oracles, it was the devil in them, and by them. As for those statues of Daedalus which are said to have moved, spoken, and run away if they were not tied to a place, &c., it is either a fiction, or else to be attributed to causes external and artificial, as quicksilver, &c. (Aristot.; Diod.; Sic.; Plato).
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Psalms 135:17
Verse 17. To this verse one of Kennicott's MSS. adds the 6th and 7th verses of Psalm cxv. Psalms 115:6-7
Cambridge Bible on Psalms 135:17
13–18. Jehovah is eternally the same, and will not forget His people; whereas the impotent gods of the heathen cannot protect their worshippers.
Whedon's Commentary on Psalms 135:17
15-18. A repetition, with some verbal alterations, of Psalms 115:4-8, which see.