Psalms 135:17
They have ears, but they hear not; neither is there any breath in their mouths.
Original Language Analysis
אָזְנַ֣יִם
They have ears
H241
אָזְנַ֣יִם
They have ears
Strong's:
H241
Word #:
1 of 9
broadness. i.e., (concrete) the ear (from its form in man)
וְלֹ֣א
H3808
וְלֹ֣א
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
3 of 9
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
יַאֲזִ֑ינוּ
but they hear
H238
יַאֲזִ֑ינוּ
but they hear
Strong's:
H238
Word #:
4 of 9
to broaden out the ear (with the hand), i.e., (by implication) to listen
אַ֝֗ף
H637
אַ֝֗ף
Strong's:
H637
Word #:
5 of 9
meaning accession (used as an adverb or conjunction); also or yea; adversatively though
יֶשׁ
not neither is there
H3426
יֶשׁ
not neither is there
Strong's:
H3426
Word #:
7 of 9
there is or are (or any other form of the verb to be, as may suit the connection)
Historical Context
Pagan rituals sometimes included attempts to 'animate' idols through mouth-washing and mouth-opening ceremonies designed to give images divine breath. The biblical polemic dismisses these as futile - no ritual can impart life to dead matter. Only the Creator who breathed life into humanity possesses such power.
Questions for Reflection
- Why is it significant that idols have no breath or life?
- How does this expose the foolishness of idolatry?
Analysis & Commentary
The anatomical mockery continues: 'They have ears, but they hear not; neither is there any breath in their mouths.' Ears that cannot hear means no prayer reaches the idol, no cry for help is registered, no worship is acknowledged. The climactic declaration 'neither is there any breath in their mouths' strikes at life itself. The Hebrew 'ruach' means breath, wind, or spirit - idols possess none of these. They are essentially corpses, resembling the living without sharing their vitality. This recalls Genesis 2:7 where God breathed life ('ruach') into Adam. The living God gives breath; idols have none to give. While verse 7 celebrated God bringing wind from His treasuries, idols lack even enough breath to fog a mirror. Ezekiel's vision of dry bones receiving breath (Ezekiel 37) demonstrates what only the living God can do - animate the inanimate, give life to the lifeless.