Psalm 115:6
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 Version
They 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 Bible
They have ears and hear not: they have noses and smell not.

Catholic Public Domain Version
They have ears, and do not hear; they have noses, and do not smell.

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 Bible
They 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 1917
They 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

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Psalm 115
1. Because God is truly glorious
4. And idols are vanity
9. He exhorts to confidence in God
12. God is to be blessed for his blessing














They have ears
The phrase "They have ears" refers to the physical attribute of idols, which are often crafted with human-like features. In the Hebrew context, the word for "ears" is "אָזְנַיִם" (oznayyim). Ears symbolize the ability to listen and understand, a critical aspect of communication and relationship. In the ancient Near Eastern culture, hearing was associated with obedience and responsiveness. The psalmist highlights the futility of idols, which, despite having ears, are incapable of perceiving or responding to the prayers and cries of their worshippers. This serves as a stark contrast to the living God, who is described throughout Scripture as one who hears the cries of His people (e.g., Exodus 2:24).

but cannot hear
The inability to hear, "but cannot hear," underscores the impotence of idols. The Hebrew word for "hear" is "שָׁמַע" (shama), which implies not just the act of hearing but also understanding and responding. In the biblical narrative, God is often portrayed as one who hears and acts (e.g., Psalm 34:17). This phrase serves as a reminder of the living God's active engagement with His creation, contrasting sharply with the lifelessness of idols. The psalmist uses this imagery to emphasize the futility of idol worship and to call the people back to the worship of the one true God who is both willing and able to respond to His people.

noses
The mention of "noses" in the context of idols, "noses," is significant. In Hebrew, the word for "nose" is "אַף" (aph), which can also mean "anger" or "face," depending on the context. The nose, in ancient cultures, was often associated with the breath of life and the ability to discern through smell. The psalmist's inclusion of this feature highlights the absurdity of idols, which, though crafted with noses, lack the breath of life and the ability to discern or react. This imagery serves to remind the audience of the living God, who breathed life into humanity (Genesis 2:7) and who is actively involved in the world.

but cannot smell
The phrase "but cannot smell" further illustrates the lifelessness of idols. The Hebrew word for "smell" is "רִיחַ" (riach), which can also imply the perception of sacrifices and offerings. In the biblical context, God is often described as being pleased with the aroma of sacrifices offered in faith and obedience (e.g., Genesis 8:21). The inability of idols to smell signifies their incapacity to engage in any meaningful relationship with their worshippers. This serves as a powerful reminder of the living God's desire for a genuine relationship with His people, one that is marked by mutual recognition and response. The psalmist uses this imagery to call the people away from the futility of idol worship and towards a vibrant, living faith in God.

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


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OT Poetry: Psalm 115:6 They have ears but they don't hear (Psalm Ps Psa.)
Psalm 115:5
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