Tanach · Rishonim on Tanach · Ibn Ezra · Torah
Ibn Ezra on Exodus 16:32/אבן עזרא על שמות ט״ז:ל״ב
אויאמר. זאת הפרשה ראויה היתה להכתב אחר שנעשה המשכן רק נכתבה במקום הזה לספר זה הנס שעומד המן לדורות והנה משה אמר כן לישראל על כן אמר אשר האכלתי אתכם:
1AND MOSES SAID. This chapter should have followed the account of the construction of the Tabernacle.161 (the jar of manna) up before the Lord. This implies that the Tabernacle was in existence, as before the Lord means before the ark (v. 33). Hence the command to set aside a jar of manna was not given when the manna stated to fall but later, after the construction of the Tabernacle. It was placed here to relate the miracle of the manna162 lasting for generations.163 Now Moses told this to Israel.164 He therefore said, wherewith I fed you.165 our verse should read: that they may see the bread wherewith I fed them. Hence I.E. points out that when Moses spoke to Israel he used the second person. Thus our verse reads, I fed you.