Bible Strands
Psalms 135:17
they have ears, but cannot hear; nor is there breath in their mouths.
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — The psalmist addresses the worshiping assembly while cataloging the deficiencies of foreign idols, following the description of their mute and blind features in Psalms 135:16.
The words — אָזְנַ֣יִם ('a.ze.Na.yim) means "ears," and יַאֲזִ֑ינוּ (ya.'a.Zi.nu) means "they give ear" or "hear," forming the first half of the verse's claim.
The thread — This verse continues the sequence of inert body parts in Psalms 135:16 to prove that idols cannot perceive, a conclusion that directly supports Psalms 135:18's warning that makers and trusters will become like them.
Why it lands — The text requires the reader to recognize that any object lacking breath and hearing cannot act or respond, making trust in it logically equivalent to self-deception.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
They have ears, but they hear not; neither is there any breath in their mouths.