Tanach · Rishonim on Tanach · Ibn Ezra · Torah
Ibn Ezra on Deuteronomy 33/אבן עזרא על דברים ל״ג
אוזאת הברכה. כברכת יעקב:
1AND THIS IS THE BLESSING. This blessing is similar to the blessing of Jacob.1
באיש האלהים. להודיע כי בנבואה ברך אותם:
2THE MAN OF GOD. This teaches that Moses blessed them prophetically.
גלפני מותו. סמוך למותו והטעם ביום מותו:
3BEFORE HIS DEATH. Close to his death. This means on the day of his death.2 is to be taken literally.
אמסיני בא. ויאמר הגאון ז״ל כי הר סיני ושעיר ופארן קרובים וזה הכתוב הוא על מעמד הר סיני ואמר סיני כי מסיני כמו בסיני וכן משעיר:
1CAME FROM SINAI. The Gaon,3 of blessed memory, says that Mount Sinai, Seir, and Paran are close to each other.4 3:8. “These (Sinai, Seir, Paran) are three names for Mount Sinai.” The Gaon claims that the different names refer to different sides of the mountain. This verse speaks of the revelation at Sinai. Scripture reads mi-sinai (from Sinai), for mi-sinai has the same meaning as be-sinai (on Sinai).5 (the Lord came from Sinai) is, God came to Sinai. The same applies to the term mise’ir (from Seir).6 3:8. Also see Mark Cohen, Under Crescent and Cross, p. 156, Princeton University Press, 1994.
במרבבות קדש. הם המלאכים והטעם על השכינה שירדה:
2FROM THE MYRIADS HOLY. The reference is to the angels. Scripture speaks of the Divine presence, which descended.7
גאש דת למו. התורה שנתנה באש וברק ואמר כי טעם ה' מסיני בא דרך תפלה כאומר אתה שבאת בסיני והנחלת תורה יחי ראובן וזה רחוק כי היה ראוי להיות החיה ואל תמית. וחסרי אמונ' אמרו כי טעם משעיר על דת אדום. ופארן על דת ישמעאל ואלה תועים הלא ראו כי לא החל בתחלה כי אם לברך ישראל לבדם וכן כתוב אשר ברך משה איש האלהים את בני ישראל ואמר וזרח משעיר למו שפירושו להם כמו ואין למו מכשול. והנכון בעיני שהפרשה היא ברכה כלל לכל ישראל ואח״כ פרט לכל שבט ושבט ואחר כן כללם במקום אין כאל ישורון. והנה מצאנו שאמרה דבורה ה' בצאתך משעיר בצעדך משדה אדום והנה אין שדה אדום הר כאשר אמר הגאון כי שלשה הרים הם סמוכים או לנכח ובס' תהלות אלהים בצאתך לפני עמך בצעדך בישימון סלה ואחריו כתוב ארץ רעשה ובצעד השכינה בישימון לא היה יום מתן תורה. כי אחר מדבר פארן באו בישימון ואמר חבקוק אלוה מתימן יבוא שהוא מבני אדום תימן אומר כטעם משדה אדום. והנה הכל במלחמות ידבר והעד יקום אלהים יפוצו אויביו וכאשר יושיע השם את עבדיו ידמה הכתוב רדת עזר מהשם והארץ תמוג וההרי' ימסו והשמים ירעשו והעד בשירו' דוד ותגעש ותרעש הארץ. וטעם זה סיני פירשתיו במקומו. וכן הוא הפירוש השם בא והטעם הכבוד שנכנס בישראל ותחלת הכנסו מסיני וזרח משעיר והטעם כל השנים שהיו ישראל במדבר לא הראה השם גבורה בעמים עד בא ישראל אל שדה אדום וכן כתוב בהררם שעיר עד איל פארן והנה הם קרובים שעיר ופארן והטעם מפורש כי ממקום שעיר כאשר באו לשעיר אז זרח הכבוד לישראל והופיע מהר פארן והטעם כפול כי פה הראה יפעתו:
3A FIERY LAW UNTO THEM. The Torah, which was given through fire and lightning.8 He9 says that the Lord came…is a prayer. It means, You who came to Sinai and bequeathed the Torah,10 Let Reuben live (v. 6). However, this interpretation is far-fetched, for Scripture should read, keep Reuben alive and do not put him to death.11, the import of which is, may Reuben live, and not die. If Saadiah Gaon’s interpretation was correct the verse would read hachayeh et re’uven ve-al tamito (keep Reuben alive and do not put him to death). In other words, Scripture would have employed the imperative hachayeh (keep him alive) rather than the third person yechi (let him live). It similarly would have employed the second person tamito (you will put him to death) in place of the third person yamut (he will die). Those who lack faith say that from Seir refers to the religion of the Edomites,12 and Paran refers to the faith of the Ishmaelites.13 However, these err. Do they not see that Moses commenced at first to bless Israel alone. Scripture thus reads, wherewith Moses the man of God blessed the children of Israel (v. 1). Scripture goes on to say ve-zarach mi-se’ir lamo, the meaning of which is, And rose from Seir unto them.14 Compare, lamo (for them) in And there is no stumbling for them (Ps. 119:165).15 means unto them. It appears to me that this chapter is a general blessing to all of Israel.16 Moses then goes on to address each tribe and tribe individually.17 Then Moses includes them all in the verse which reads, There is none unto God, O Jeshurun (v. 26). Look,18 we find that Deborah said, Lord, when Thou didst go forth out of Seir, When Thou didst march out of the field of Edom, The earth trembled (Jud. 5:4). Clearly the field of Edom is not a mountain as the Gaon says,19) is parallel to Seir. If sede edom does not refer to a mountain neither does Seir. for the Gaon maintains that Sinai, Seir, and Paran are three mountains close to each other or facing each other. Also, the Book of Psalms states, O God, when Thou wentest forth before thy people, When Thou didst march through the wilderness (yeshimon); Selah (Ps. 68:8). Scripture then states, The earth trembled (Ps. 68:9).20 not at Sinai. I.E. comments thus because someone might still insist on identifying the field of Edom with Mount Sinai. It should be noted that I.E. insists that the clause “the earth trembled” in Jud. 5:4 and the similar clause in Ps. 68:9 refer to the same event. See I.E. on Ps. 68:8. Now the Divine presence did not march through the wilderness (yeshimon) on the day that the Torah was given, for Israel came to the wilderness (yeshimon) after they had passed through the wilderness (midbar) of Paran.21 Furthermore, Habakkuk says, God cometh from Teman (Hab. 3:3). Teman was one of the sons of Edom, for we read, Teman, Omar (Gen. 36:11).22 From Teman means the same as from the field of Edom. Look, all the verses23 speak of war. Let God arise, let His enemies be scattered (Ps. 68:2) is proof of this. Scripture describes God’s saving of His servants in terms of help coming down from heaven, the earth melting, the mountains dissolving, and the heavens quaking. Then the earth did shake and quake (Ps. 18:8) in David’s song is proof of this. I have explained the meaning of even yon Sinai (Ps. 68:9) in its place.24) did. In other words, the phrase zeh sinai does not imply that what comes before (the earth trembled…) refers to the revelation at Sinai. The following is the explanation of our verse. The Lord came refers to the glory that entered into Israel. It first entered Israel at Sinai. And rose from Seir means that God did not show His might among the nations all the years that Israel was in the wilderness until Israel came to the field of Edom. Scripture similarly states, in their mount Seir, unto El-paran (Gen. 14:6). Seir and Paran are thus close to each other. The meaning of And rose from Se’ir is thus explained, for mi-seir means from the place of Seir; that is, when Israel came to Seir, God’s glory rose to Israel. He shined forth from mount Paran repeats the idea expressed by and rose from Seir. It means that God here25 showed His shining.
דואתה מרבבות קדש. על דעתי שהוא דבק עם מימינו והטעם שבא אש מרבבות קדש מימין השם לסבב ישראל כטעם סוסי אש ורכב אש סביבות אלישע:
4AND HE CAME FROM THE MYRIADS HOLY. I believe that this is connected to At His right hand. It means that fire came from the myriads holy at God’s right hand to surround Israel. It26 is similar to the horses and chariots of fire round about Elisha (II Kings 6:17).
הוטעם דת. שעומדת תמיד:
5[FIERY LAW.] The meaning of law27. I.E. renders esh dat (a fiery law) as a constant fire. is something constant.28
אאף חובב. מגזר' ארמית מל' והייתם לי סגולה ועמים הם ישראל כמו אחריך בנימין בעממיך. עמים הר יקראו:
1YEA, HE LOVETH THE PEOPLES. Hovev (loveth) comes from an Aramaic word. It29. has the meaning of then ye shall be Mine own treasure from among all peoples (Ex. 19:5). The peoples refers to Israel. Compare, After thee, Benjamin, among thy peoples (Jud. 5:14); They shall call peoples unto the mountain (v. 19).
בוכל קדושיו. בני לוי:
2[ALL HIS HOLY ONES.] This refers to the sons of Levi.
גבידך. שהם סביבות הארון:
3THEY ARE IN THY HAND. They are round about the ark.
דוהם תכו לרגלך. ילכו על דרכך וטעם בידך. שתשמר':
4AND THEY SIT DOWN AT THY FEET. This means they will walk in Your ways. The meaning of in Thy hand is, you will protect them.30 to mean that the Levites camp around the ark. His comment here is either another interpretation or it explains why Moses refers to the ark as Thy hand.
הישא מדברותיך. כי הם ילמדו התורה והם המעתיקים על תורה שבעל פה:
5RECEIVING OF THY WORDS. They31 will teach Torah. They are the ones who transmit the oral Torah.
וישא. כל א' ואם הם רבים:
6RECEIVING.32 (literally, they will bear). Each and every one.33 This is so even though they are many.34). However, yissa (receiving) is singular. Hence I.E.’s comment.
זוטעם מדברותיך. כי אשר דברת ישאו כי הם נושאי התורה. כי גם הם ישאו את הארון:
7The meaning of Thy words35 (literally, they will bear your words). is, that which You spoke they will bear,36 for they are the bearers of the Torah, and they also carry the ark.37, which means to bear upon the lips (to speak of, to teach) and to physically bear.
חוטעם ישא כמו. ולא תשא שמע שוא:
8The word yissa (receiving) is similar to tissa (uttering) in Thou shalt not utter a false report (Ex. 23:1).
טתכו. בלא אח וי״א מל' מתוך כאילו הולכים בתוך רגלך ואחרים אומרים כי התי״ו במקום ה״א כתי״ו תרגלתי לאפרים כטעם אפילו שיוכו בשבילך לא יעזבו דבריך וזה רחוק. והנכון שהוא כמו נמשכו והטעם שילכו אל המקום ששם הארון שהוא הדום רגלי השם וזאת היא הברכ' שהשם יהיה חומת אש סביב ישראל ויהיה סגולתו והלוים יורו התורה תמיד:
9AND THEY SIT DOWN. Tukku (sit down) has no brother.38 Some say39 that it is related to the word mi-tokh (from the midst of).40. They, as it were, walk in the midst of Your feet. Others say that the tav41. is in place of a heh.42 is a variant of hukku (were beaten). It is like the tav of tirgalti (I taught)43 is a variant of hirgalti. in I taught Ephraim (Hos. 11:3). The meaning of our verse is, even if they are beaten on Your account, they will not forsake Your words. However, this is farfetched. Actually it means are drawn;44 is, they are drawn to your feet. they go to the place of the ark which serves as the footstool for God’s feet. This is the blessing:45 May God be a wall of fire round about Israel.46 May Israel be God’s treasure.47 May the Levites always teach the Torah.48
אתורה צוה לנו משה. זהו שישא ויאמר דור לדור כך העתקנו מפי משה ירושה בידינו ויהיה למ״ד לנו מושך עצמו ואחר עמו. וכן היא מורשה לקהלת יעקב כמו והנבואה עודד הנביא ויהי מורשה מורשה קהלת יעקב:
1MOSES COMMANDED US A LAW. This is what they shall bear upon their lips and say from generation to generation: thus did we copy with our hands an inheritance from the mouth of Moses.49 The lamed of lanu (us) applies to itself and also to another word.50. Morashah kehillat ya’akov (an inheritance congregation of Jacob)51 literally means an inheritance congregation of Jacob. Hence I.E.’s comment. should be read as if written morashah le-kehillat ya’akov (an inheritance of the congregation of Jacob). It is similar to ve-hanevu’ah oded ha-navi (even the prophecy Oded the prophet)52 (II Chronicles 15:8).53 [even the prophecy (they), prophecy of Oded the prophet]. See I.E. on Gen. 2:9 (Vol. 1, p. 54). Or54 morashah (an inheritance) should be read as if written twice. Our clause should be read as if written an inheritance, an inheritance of the congregation of Jacob.55 (Moses commanded us a law, an inheritance, an inheritance of the congregation of Jacob).
אמלך. הוא משה ששמעו ראשי עם התורה מפורשת מפיו והטעם כי הוא היה כמלך והתאספו אליו ראשי השבטים ויחזיק זה הפי' שאמר הכתוב כי התורה נתנה לכהנים שהם לפי דעתי כל קדושיו בידיך ואל כל זקני ישראל זהו בהתאסף ראשי עם גם שם כתוב הקהילו אלי כל ראשי שבטיכם. ויאמר רבי יהודה הלוי ז״ל כי המלך רמז לתורה וכן היה מפרש אין מלך בישראל:
1A KING. The reference is to Moses, from whose mouth the heads of the people clearly heard the words of the Torah. The meaning of our verse is that Moses was the equivalent of a king, and the heads of the tribes were gathered unto him.56 This interpretation is supported by Scripture’s statement that the Torah was given to the kohanim,57 who, in my opinion, are meant by All His holy ones-they are in Thy hand (v. 3), and to all the elders of Israel (Deut. 31:9). This is what When the heads of the people were gathered refers to. Scripture also writes there, Assemble unto me all the elders of your tribes (Deut. 31:28). Rabbi Judah Ha-Levi, of blessed memory, says that the king alludes to the Torah. He similarly used to explain there was no king in Israel (Jud. 18:l).58
איחי ראובן. הנה החל מהבכור כי כן המשפט ולא הזכיר שמעון בעבור בעל פעור כי העובדים היו שמעונים ומספרם לעד גם נשיאם נהרג או הלך על דרך יעקב שלא ברך שמעון ולוי ובעבור כבוד אהרן נתלה השבט ממנו ולא היה בשבט שמעון גדול כמותו. ואם יטעון טוען למה בירך ראובן. התשובה כי יעקב ברכו והברכ' היא אל תותר שיהיה כאחד מאחיו. ואחר ראובן הזכיר יהוד' שהוא בעל דגל והוא עולה בתחלה למלחמה ואחר כן לוי ואחריו בנימין בעבור היות הלוים דרים בירושלים שהיתה בין יהודה ובין בנימין כן כתוב. ואחר כן שבט יוסף שלא יאחרנו וכבר הקדים אחיו הקטן ואחר כן זבולון בעבור שהוא נלחם ואחר כן יששכר. וכאשר תמו בני הגבירות החל מגד שהוא עם דגל בני הגבירו' ואחר כן דן שהוא בעל דגל ואחר כן נפתלי כי הוא גדול מאשר:
1LET REUBEN LIVE. Moses starts with the first-born, for this is the proper practice. He does not mention Simeon because of the incident of Baal-peor,59 for those who served Baalpeor were from the tribe of Simeon.60 Their number61 proves this.62 Also, their prince was killed.63 It is also possible that Moses followed in the footsteps of Jacob,64 who did not bless Simeon and Levi. The tribe of Levi was blessed out of respect for Aaron. Simeon had no one as great as Aaron.65 Should one who disputes argue, “Why did Moses bless Reuben?”66 The answer is that Jacob blessed Reuben. The blessing was have not thou the excellency (Gen. 49:4).67 The meaning of the latter is that Reuben shall be like one of his brothers. Moses mentions Judah after Reuben68 because he was in charge of a standard69 and he was the first to lead in battle. Next Levi and then Benjamin are mentioned70 because the Levites dwelled in Jerusalem, which was situated between Judah and Benjamin. Scripture clearly states this.71 Moses then mentions the tribe of Joseph so as not to delay naming him. He had already mentioned his younger brother.72 He next mentioned Zebulun because he waged war.73 (Jud. 5:18). He then mentioned Issachar.74 After Moses finished mentioning the children of the wives, he commenced with Gad,75 who camped among the standard of the children of the wives.76 Moses then mentions Dan, who was in charge of a standard.77 He then mentioned Naphtali because he was older than Asher.78
ביחי ראובן. תפלה:
2LET REUBEN LIVE. A prayer.
גואל ימות שיתכן שיהיה כבן אדם לחיות שנים קצובות וימות:
3AND NOT DIE. For it is possible that he will be as a person who lives a certain number of years and then dies.79
דויהי מתיו מספר. ואל יהי מתיו מספר כמו ולא למדתי חכמה ובי״ת באל שדי כאשר פירשתי רבים כי יתכן שיחיה לעולם ויהיו מעטים וכל דבר שיספר הוא מעט. וכן ואני מתי מספר:
4IN THAT HIS MEN BECOME FEW.80 Ve-yehi metav mispar81 literally means and let his men be numbered (few). is to be rendered, and let his men not be numbered (few).82 (not) which precedes yamot is to be inserted after the vav of ve-yehi. Our clause is to be read as if written va-al yehi metav mispar. It is similar to And I have not learned wisdom (Prov. 30:3)83 (not, no) is to read as if written twice. Prov. 30:3 literally reads: I have not learned wisdom and I have knowledge of the Holy One. The verse should be read as if written: I have not learned wisdom and I have no knowledge of the Holy One. and to the bet of be-el shaddai (as God Almighty) (Ex. 6:3)84. According to I.E. this is be interpreted as if written u-veshemi, for the bet of be-El also applies to the word u-shemi. See I.E. on Ex. 6:3 (Vol. 2, pp. 131,132.) as I have explained many times. Moses said this85 because it is possible for the tribe of Reuben to live forever but consist of few people. All things that are numbered are few. Compare, And I am men of number(Gen. 34:30).86
אוזאת ליהודה. וכן אמר ליהודה שיחיה ולא ימות והוסיף עוד שמע ה' קול יהודה בבואו למלחמה כי הוא יעלה בתחלה:
1AND THIS FOR JUDAH. He similarly said to Judah,87 means he similarly said this to Judah. “Let Judah live and not die.” He also added, “Hear, Lord, the voice of Judah” when he goes to war, because Judah would go into battle first.88
בואל עמו תביאנו. אל המחנה אשר בגלגל או תפלה על היוצאים להלחם על ארץ אויב:
2AND BRING HIM IN UNTO HIS PEOPLE. To the camp, which was in Gilgal.89 On the other hand, it might be a prayer regarding those who go to do battle in the land of the enemy.90
גרב לו. יספיקו לו ידיו ואין לו צורך למי שיעזור אותו כי אם עזרת השם לבדו וי״א מל' מריבה והטעם ידיו יריבו בעדו ואחרים אמרו כמו וברקים רב מגזרת ורבו:
3HIS HAND SHALL CONTEND FOR HIM. Rav lo (contend for him) means shall be sufficient for him91 means abundant. Hence rav lo literally means shall be abundant for him, that is, shall be more than enough for him to do what he has to do. so that he has no need for anyone to help him but God’s help alone. Others say that the word rav is related to the word merivah (conflict). The meaning of yadav rav lo is that his hands shall fight for him. Others say that the word rav is like the word rav (shot forth) in and He shot forth lightnings (Ps. 18:15). It is related to va-robbu (and shot at him) (Gen. 49:23).92.
אוללוי אמר. בעבור לוי אמר לשם כמו אמרי לי אחי הוא:
1AND OF LEVI. U-le-levi amar (and of Levi he said) is to be interpreted, And of Levi93 is to be rendered, and of Levi, not and to Levi. he said to God.94, which is all the text provides, is short for he said to God. Compare, say of me (li):95 is to be rendered of me, not to me. See I.E. on Gen. 20:13 (Vol. 1, p. 213). He is my brother (Gen. 20:13).
בלאיש חסידך. לאיש שהוא חסידך:
2WITH THY HOLY ONE. Le-ish chasidekha (with Thy holy one) means to the man who is Your holy one.96 (with Thy holy one) literally means to the man Your holy one. Hence I.E.’s comment.
גאשר נסיתו במסה. שם כמו בנסיון והטעם שהיה חסיד ולא נמצא בו דופי חוץ מדבר מריבה שכבר הענשתו עליו גם זה יחזיק פירושי בדבר העגל כי לכבוד השם עשהו:
3WHOM THOU DIDST PROVE AT MASSAH. Massah is a noun. It means a test.97 The meaning of our clause is: Aaron was pious. Aside from the incident at Meribah,98 for which You already punished him,99. no unseemly thing was found in him.100 Also, this verse101 supports my interpretation regarding the incident of the calf, that is, that Aaron made the calf for God’s glory.102. See I.E. on Ex. 31:18 (Vol. 2, pp. 653-663).
דוטעם תומיך ואוריך. שיהיו תמיד לו ולזרעו:
4[THY THUMMIM AND THY URIM.]103. This means may Thy Thummim and Thy Urim always be his104 and his seed’s.105
אהאומר. על השבט ידבר כמו שמואל שבא כאשר נגמל אל בית ה' להרגילו:
1WHO SAID. Moses speaks of the tribe.106 Samuel who came to the house of God as soon as he was weaned,107 to be trained in God’s service, is an example.108
בואת בניו לא ידע. יש מהם אחד שהוליד בנים לעבוד השם:
2NOR KNEW HE HIS OWN CHILDREN. There were among them individuals who begot children for the service of God.109 FOR THEY HAVE OBSERVED110 (literally, kept).
גכי שמרו אמרתך. כמו שמרו עדותיו וחק נתן למו עד שיורום לישראל ויש אומרים על דבר מי לה' אלי:
3THY WORD, AND KEEP THY COVENANT. Compare, They kept (shameru) His testimonies,111 and the statue that He gave them (Ps. 99:7) so that they would teach them to Israel. Some say that the reference112 is to Whoso is on the Lord’s side, let him come unto me (Ex. 32:26).
אישימו קטורה. הכהנים מהם:
1THEY SHALL PUT INCENSE. The reference is to those among them who are kohanim.
בוכליל. היא העולה:
2AND WHOLE BURNT-OFFERING. Kalil (whole burnt offering) refers to the olah (burnt offering).113
אברך ה' חילו. הבכורים והמעשר:
1BLESS, LORD, HIS SUBSTANCE. The first-born and the tithe.
בופעל ידיו. הקרבנות:
2THE WORK OF HIS HANDS. The sacrifices.
גמחץ מתנים. הטעם מחץ קמיו:
3SMITE THROUGH THE LOINS. Smite them that rise against him.
דמן יקומון. מן אשר יקומון עליהם כמו לים מכסי':
4THAT THEY RISE NOT AGAIN. Min yekumun114 literally means of them will arise against them. (that they rise not again) means of those that will rise against them.115 is short for min asher yekumun alehem, that is, of them that will arise against them. Yekumun is a variation of yakum (they shall arise). Compare, la-yam mekhassim (cover the sea) (Is. 11:9).116 is to be read as if written asher la-yam mekhassim, i.e., that cover the sea.
אלבנימן אמר. בעבור בנימין שהוא ידיד השם ישכון בנימין לבטח על השם והשם שוכן בין כתיפיו:
1OF BENJAMIN HE SAID. Le-vinyamin means of Benjamin.117 usually means to. Hence I.E.’s comment. Moses said of Benjamin, who is the beloved of the Lord,118 should be interpreted, le-vinyamin yedid Adonai amar. Benjamin shall dwell in safety by God, and God shall dwell between his shoulders.
בחופף עליו. על הכבוד שהיה דר בירושלם בחלק בנימין כי כן כתוב:
2HE COVERETH HIM. The reference is to God’s glory which, as Scripture writes,119 dwelled in Benjamin’s portion, in Jerusalem.
גוטעם בין כתפיו. באמצע נחלתו או שהיה נראה גם להיות דבק עם חופף:
3The meaning of between his shoulders is, in the center of his inheritance. Or between his shoulders means that God’s glory was visible.120 Furthermore, between his shoulders is also connected to covereth.121 is to be interpreted, He covereth him, and dwelleth between his shoulders all the day (Krinsky).
אממגד. שיתנו השמים:
1FOR THE PRECIOUS THINGS. Which the heavens will give.
אתבואות שמש. כי תבואות הזרע והכרם תלויה בשמש:
1THE FRUITS OF THE SUN. For the fruits of the seed and the vineyard are dependent upon the sun.
בגרש. מגזרת ויגרשו מימיו והוא שיעשה האויר בלחותו כי אין חומו ככח השמש. ואמר ירחים בעבור שיתחדשו והן רבים בשנה אחת:
2THE YIELD. Geresh (yield) is related to the word vayigreshu (cast up) in And its waters cast up (Is. 57:20). The moon does this122 via the moisture which is in the air,123 for its heat is unlike the power of the sun.124 Scripture reads moons125 because they renew themselves,126 and there are many of them in the year.127
אומראש. הטעם וממגד ראש הררי קדם:
1AND FOR THE TOPS. This means and for the precious things that grow on the tops of the ancient hills.128 from the previous verse also applies here. Thus u-merosh harere kedem (and for the tops of the ancient mountains) is to be read as if written u-mi-meged rosh ha-rere kedem (and for the precious things that grow on the tops of the ancient mountains).
בגבעות עולם. כפול:
2THE EVERLASTING HILLS. Scripture repeats itself.
אוממגד ארץ. כפול ארץ המישור:
1AND FOR THE PRECIOUS THINGS OF THE EARTH. Scripture repeats itself. The earth refers to flat land.129 is in contrast to the mountains and hills mentioned in the previous verse.
בומלואה. מאשר היא מלאה:
2AND THE FULNESS THEREOF. From what it is full of.130
גורצון שכני סנה. הוא השמים:
3AND THE GOOD WILL OF HIM THAT DWELT IN THE BUSH. The reference is to heaven.131 (bush) as meaning heaven. However, he rejects this interpretation in Ex. 3:2 (Vol. 2, pp. 52,53).
דתבואתה. הברכה הזאת והתחברו שנים סימנין התי״ו והה״א כמו עזרתה ישועתה בצרתה ובעבור שהזכיר התבואה דמה השבט לשור ואמר בכור שורו כי יש לו כח רב כי הוא ראשית און:
4LET THE BLESSING COME. Tavotah (let the blessing come)132 is the elongated or poetic form of the word tavo. refers to this blessing.133 Two signs,134 the tav and the heh, are joined together.135 should have read tavo’ah or tavo’at. Tavotah is a combination of the two. Compare, ezratah (help) (Ps. 44:27);136 is a combination of the two feminine forms ezrat and ezrah. yeshu’atah (salvation) (Ps. 3:3);137 (salvation) is a combination of the two feminine forms yeshu’ah and yeshu’at. ba-tzaratah (in…distress) (Ps. 120:1).138 is a combination of tzarah and tzarat. Moses compared the tribe of Joseph to a bullock because he earlier spoke of produce.139 Moses referred to Joseph as His firstling bullock (v. 17) because a first-born bullock has great strength as it is the first of its father’s might.
אהדר לו. גוף גדול והטעם מספר רב:
1MAJESTY IS HIS. His140 body is large. It means that the tribe of Joseph is large in number.
בוקרני ראם. בכח:
2THE HORNS OF THE WILD-OX. In power.
גרבבות אפרים. כדברי יעקב:
3THE TEN THOUSANDS OF EPHRAIM. As in the words of Jacob.141
אשמח זבולון בצאתך. למלחמה וכן זבולן עם חרף נפשו למות:
1REJOICE, ZEBULUN, IN THY GOING OUT. To war. Similarly Zebulun is a people that jeoparded their lives unto the death (Jud. 5:18).
בבאהליך. כמו וירא מנוחה כי טוב:
2IN THY TENTS. Compare, For he saw a resting-place that it was good (Gen. 49:15).142
אעמים הר יקראו. בעבור שזבולן דר לחוף אניות יהיה עשרו רב וזהו כי שפע ימים יינקו והוא מגזרת שפעת גמלים:
1THEY SHALL CALL PEOPLES UNTO THE MOUNTAIN. Zebulun shall possess great wealth because he dwells where ships dock. This is the meaning of they shall suck the abundance of the seas. The word shefa (abundance) is related to the word shifat (caravan) in The caravan of camels shall cover thee (Is. 60:6).
בושפוני טמוני חול. אין לו אח וטעמו כמו טמוני וכן אדמת עפר והטעם שיהא להם עושר רב עד שיטמנהו בחול ובעבור עשרם יבואו רובם אל הר השם לזבוח זבחי תודה לשם:
2AND THE HIDDEN TREASURES OF THE SAND. The word sefune (hidden) has no brother.143 It has the same meaning as temune (treasures).144. I.E. believes that Scripture employs two words back to back that have one meaning. It means hidden hidden [of the earth]. Similarly admat afar (dust).145 The meaning of the hidden treasures of the sand is that Zebulun will have so much wealth that they [the tribe] will hide it in the sand. And because of their wealth, they will come in a multitude to the mountain of God to offer sacrifices of thanksgiving to the Lord.
אמרחיב גד. דמהו לאריה כל רואיו יברחו ממנו ואין מי יצר לו:
1ENLARGETH GAD. Moses compares Gad to a lion. All who see him will flee from him. No one shall torment him.
אוירא ראשית לו. הטעם שראה לנפשו ויבקש לו נחלה קודם לישראל:
1AND HE CHOSE A FIRST PART FOR HIMSELF.146) for himself. According to I.E. he saw is short for he sought an inheritance. First means before the other Israelites, and himself means he sought it for himself. Hence I.E.’s interpretation. This means he looked out for himself and sought an inheritance before the other Israelites.147
בכי שם חלקת. כמו חלק:
2FOR THERE A PORTION OF A RULER WAS RESERVED. The word chelkat (portion of) means a portion.
גומחוקק הוא הגדול והשליט כמו לבי לחוקקי ישראל:
3[A RULER.] Mechokek (ruler) refers to someone who is great and a ruler. Compare, My heart is toward the governors (le-chokeke) of Israel (Jud. 5:9).
דוספון כמו וספון בארז (בתוכם ספונים) [צ״ל בבתיכ' ספוני'] שטעמו שהם ספונים וכן קירות הספון והטעם כי ראה ארמונים ספונים שהיו חלק גדולי האמורי:
4[RESERVED.] The word safun (reserved) is similar to safun (ceiled) in and it is ceiled148 with cedar (Jer. 22:14); and sefunim (ceiled) in be-vattekhem sefunim (Haggai 1:4), which means your houses which are ceiled. The import of ki sham chelkak mechokek safun (for there a portion of a ruler was preserved)149 is that Gad saw the paneled palaces that were the portion of the nobles of the Amorites.
הויתא. חסר אל״ף והטעם שבאו ראשי גד עם ישראל חלוצי צבא ומשה ראה זה בנבואה:
5CAME. Va-yeta (came)150. is missing an alef.151, for its root is alef, tav, alef. The meaning of our clause is that the heads of Gad came armed with the children of Israel.152 Moses prophetically saw this.
וצדקת ה' עשה. שמלא בידו את אשר דבר בפיו שנדרו בני גד שיצאו עם ישראל להלחם עם אויביהם ולא הזכיר ראובן ויתכן כי זה בעבור שהיו בני גד גבורים יותר מבני ראובן והנה דברי הימים לעד שאמר על בני גד ופני אריה פניהם ולא תמצא כן בבני ראובן:
6HE EXECUTED THE RIGHTEOUSNESS OF THE LORD. Gad fulfilled with his hands153 that which he spoke with his mouth, for the children of Gad vowed that they would go out with Israel to wage battle against their enemies.154 Moses did not mention Reuben.155 It is possible that he omitted Reuben because the tribe of Gad were greater warriors than the tribe of Reuben. The words of Chronicles, which states regarding the tribe of Gad, whose faces were like the faces of lions (I Chron. 12:9), is proof of this. We do not find this stated regarding the tribe of Reuben.
איזנק. אין לו חבר במקרא והטעם דמהו בגבורתו לגור אריה כאשר ידלג מהר בשן:
1LEAPETH. The word yezannek (leapeth) has no companion in Scripture. Our clause is to be understood as follows: Moses compared Dan’s might to that of a lion’s whelp leaping from Mount Bashan.156 means leap. According to I.E. our verse should be understood as follows: Dan is as powerful as a young lion leaping forth from Mount Bashan. Bashan is a district in Transjordan.
אשבע רצון. שם התאר. וכן הוא יהיה שבע רצון:
1SATISFIED WITH FAVOR. Seva ratzon (satisfied) is an adjective. It means he will be sated with favor.157 is not to be taken as an imperative with our verse meaning Naphtali be satisfied with God’s favor.
בים ודרום. שנחלתו יהיה מערבית דרומית:
2THE SEA AND SOUTH. Yam158 (sea) as west. ve-darom (the sea and south) means that Naphtali’s inheritance shall be in the southwest.159
ארצוי. כמו אהוב:
1THE FAVORED. Ratzuy (favored) means the beloved.
בוטובל בשמן רגל. מרוב השמן כטעם כבס ביין לבושו וכן אמר יעקב שמנה לחמו:
2AND LET HIM DIP HIS FOOT IN OIL. Because of the abundance of oil. It is similar to He washeth his garments in wine (Gen. 49:11). Jacob similarly said,160 his bread shall be fat (Gen. 49:20).
אברזל ונחשת מנעליך. כי בחלקו יהיה הרי ברזל ונחשת:
1IRON AND BRASS SHALL BE THY BARS.161. I.E. renders this, the place where you walk upon with your shoes (na’alkha). Hence I.E.’s interpretation. For mountains of iron and brass shall be in his portion.162
בוכימיך דבאך. אין לו ריע וטעם המתרגם ידוע כי תוקף יהיה לך כל ימיך ויש אומרים שהאל״ף תחת אות הכפל כמו אשר בזאו נהרים ארצו והטעם מגזרת דובב שפתי ישנים. וזה הטעם בלי טעם:
2AND AS THY DAYS, SO SHALL THY STRENGTH BE. The word dovekha (thy strength) has no neighbor.163 The interpretation of the Aramaic translation164 (and as thy days, so shall thy strength be), and as thy youth so shall your strength be [all the days of your life]. is known, namely, that you will be strong all your days. Some say that the alef of dovekha is in place of the doubled letter.165 comes from the root dalet, bet, bet. It is like the word baze’u (divide)166, for the alef in baze’u takes the place of a zayin. in Whose land the rivers divide (Is. 18:2). They believe that dovekha is related to the word dovev (moving gently) in Moving gently the lips of those that are asleep (Cant. 7:10).167 to mean: as in your youth so shall you speak [all the days of your life]; i.e., you shall always speak happily as young people are wont to do (Weiser). This interpretation is not reasonable.168
אאין כאל ישורון. שב לברך הכלל:
1THERE IS NONE LIKE UNTO GOD, O JESHURUN. Moses goes back to bless all of Israel.
ברוכב שמים. פירוש שהוא תקיף והעד שהוא רוכב שמים:
2WHO RIDETH UPON THE HEAVEN. That is, who is mighty. The fact that He rideth upon the heaven is proof of this.
גובגאותו שחקים הטעם בגאותו הם עומדים:
3[AND IN HIS EXCELLENCY ON THE SKIES.]169 It means, the heavens stand by God’s might.170 (in His excellency) by His might. Therefore And in His might the skies is short for and by His might the heavens stand. I.E. renders our verse as follows: He who rides upon the heavens is your help, and He [so too is] by whose might the heavens stand.
אמעונה אלהי קדם. דע כי מעון כמו סוכה והעד ויהי בשלם סוכו ומעונתו בציון ורבים כן והטע' כי מעונה שלך הוא אלהי קדם כמו עליון שמת מעונך. מעין אתה היית לנו. ולעול' המעון למעלה על החוסה בו והמקום למטה:
1THE ETERNAL GOD IS A DWELLING-PLACE. Note that the word ma’on (dwelling-place) means a covering (i.e., a sukkah).171 is so called because it has a covering over it. In Salem also is set His covering172 (sukko), And His dwelling-place (me’onato) in Zion173 is parallel to me’onato. (Ps. 76:3) is proof of this. There are many such examples.174 is used in the sense of protection. The meaning of our verse is: The eternal God is your covering.175 Compare, Even the Most High, thy habitation (me’onekha)176 (Ps. 91:9) and Thou hast been our dwelling-place (ma’on) (Ps. 90:1). The ma’on (dwelling place) is always above the one who takes refuge in it.177 means a protective covering. God serves as a protective covering above us. The “place”178).” is below.179 refers to “up above” and makom to below. God is referred to as “The Place” because He is present in all places on the earth. See I.E.’s introduction to Esther, “God is not referred to as ‘The Place (makom)’ in any of the books of Scripture. On the contrary, He is referred to as ‘dwelling place (ma’on),’ for the ma’on which is always on high. However, the ancients, of blessed memory, called God ‘The Place’ because all places are full of His glory.”
בומתחת זרועות. שיתמכו אותך:
2AND UNDERNEATH ARE THE EVERLASTING ARMS. Which will support you.
גוטעם עולם. שכן יהיו נצח ולא תחלשנה והמעון שלך לא יסור כי הוא אלהי קדם והטעם קדמון שאין לו ראשית ואחרית. וטעם ראשית ואחרית כנגד הנבראים והגאון אמר כי ומתחת פירוש ומתחת השם ולא פירש כלום:
3Scripture reads everlasting to teach that it shall always be so. The hand will not weaken, and your covering (ma’on) will not be removed, for He is the eternal God. The meaning of kedem (everlasting) is that God has no beginning and no end. Scripture speaks in human terms when it speaks of beginning and end.180 The Gaon says that and underneath means and underneath God. He did not explain anything.
אעין יעקב. כל מי שיצא ממעין יעקב. וכן ומימי יהודה יצאו:
1THE FOUNTAIN OF JACOB. All those who came forth out of the fountain of Jacob.181 is, All those who came forth out of the fountain of Jacob, i.e., all those descended from Jacob. Similarly And are come forth out of the fountain of Judah (Is. 48:1).
באל ארץ. כמו הארץ וכן והתפללו אל המקום הזה:
2IN A LAND. El eretz is to be rendered, in a land.182 as in Vat. Ebr. 38. It is similar to if they pray in this place183 (el ha-makom ha-zeh)184 (to this place) is to be interpreted as if written bamakom ha-zeh. (I Kings 8:35).
גאף שמיו. שמי הארץ או ישראל והטעם כי תולדות הארץ להוציא דגן ותירוש אף השמים יתנו תמיד טלם ואין צורך להשקות:
3YEA, HIS HEAVENS. The heavens of the earth or of Israel.185 The meaning of our verse is, it is the nature of the land186 to produce corn and oil. Also, the heavens shall always give their dew and there will be no need to water the ground.187
אמי כמוך. בגוים:
1WHO IS LIKE UNTO THEE. Among the nations.
במגן עזרך. שלא יגע בך רע:
2THE SHIELD OF THY HELP. No evil shall come upon you.
גואשר חרב. ואשר הוא החרב שתתגאה בו על כל אויביך:
3AND THAT IS THE SWORD. He is the sword by which you will exalt yourself over all your enemies.
דתדרוך. כמו מדרוך כמו מדרך כף רגל כדברי גדעון:
4SHALT TREAD. Tidrokh (shall tread) is similar to midrakh (to tread on) in for the sole of the foot to tread on (Deut. 2:5). The contents of our verse are similar to the account of Gideon.188. 38 reads: As in the account of Gibeon. See Josh. 10:24, Come near, put your feet upon the necks of these kings. And they came near, and put their feet upon the necks of them.