Tanach · Rishonim on Tanach · Ibn Ezra · Torah
Ibn Ezra on Exodus 31:6/אבן עזרא על שמות ל״א:ו׳
אאתו. כמוהו במלאכות, ולא בחכמת מלאכת חרש, והנה פי' ובכל מלאכה לחשוב מחשבות:
1WITH HIM. Equal to him in workmanship but not in the science of cutting.24 (literally, cutting) of wood (v. 5). For other interpretations, see Netter, and Krinsky. Observe, the meaning of and in all manner of workmanship is (v. 3) to devise skilful works (v. 4).25
בובלב כל חכם לב. לעשות מלאכה כי גם זה ימצא בתולדת האדם, שיוציא מלבו דברים עמוקים במלאכת המדות, והוא לא למד החכמה:
2AND IN THE HEARTS OF ALL THAT ARE WISE-HEARTED I HAVE PUT WISDOM. To do work.26 should be interpreted as if written: and in the hearts of all that are wise-hearted I have put wisdom to do the work. Also one finds in human nature the ability to devise intricate geometric forms without ever having studied this science.27 means: I have endowed these people with the natural ability to create the various designs necessary for the temple’s construction. I.E.’s interpretation solves the problem as to where these men acquired the skill to construct the tabernacle.
גועתה יזכיר כל אשר יעשו:
3[THAT THEY MAY MAKE ALL THAT I HAVE COMMANDED.] Scripture now goes on to mention all the objects which they were required to make.