Tanach · Rishonim on Tanach · Ibn Ezra · Torah
Ibn Ezra on Exodus 21:16/אבן עזרא על שמות כ״א:ט״ז
אוגנב. אמר הגאון למה נכנס זה הפסוק בין מכה אביו ובין מקלל אביו, והשיב כי הכתוב לא ידבר רק על ההוה, כי הנגנבים היו קטנים, ונגדלו בארץ נכריה לא יכירו אבותיהם ויתכן שיכום ויקללום והעונש על הגנב:
1AND HE THAT STEALETH A MAN. Saadiah Gaon asks: Why was this verse inserted between He that smiteth his father (v. 15) and And he that curseth his father (v. 17)? He answers that Scripture speaks only of the commonplace. Those stolen were young children. They were brought up in a strange country and did not recognize their parents. It is thus possible for them to strike and curse their parents. The punishment for this will fall upon the kidnapper.
בונמצא בידו בשוק לפני המכרו יומת:
2OR IF HE BE FOUND IN HIS HAND. In the market before he sells him,192 means: and intends to sell him. Otherwise, how could Scripture say, “or if he be found in his hand.” then he shall be put to death.