They have ears, but they hear not: noses have they, but they smell not:
They have ears, but they cannot hear; they have noses, but they cannot smell.
The writer is pointing out that idols have body parts like ears and noses, but they're completely lifeless and can't actually use them.
📚 Historical Context
This verse is part of Psalm 115, where the psalmist contrasts the living God of Israel with the lifeless idols worshipped by surrounding nations. Ancient idols were often crafted with detailed human features, including ears, noses, eyes, and mouths, but despite their realistic appearance, they were powerless and unable to respond to their worshippers. This psalm was likely written during or after the Babylonian exile when Israel was surrounded by idol-worshipping cultures.
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