Tanach · Rishonim on Tanach · Ibn Ezra · Torah
Ibn Ezra on Genesis 17:26/אבן עזרא על בראשית י״ז:כ״ו
אבעצם היום הזה. ולא אחר לעשות הדבר והנה הי' שמונה עשר ושלש מאות ילידי ביתו חוץ ממקנת כספו ואח"כ נמול אברהם גם ביום בעצמו וישמעאל בנו וילידי ביתו ומקנת כספו כולם נמולו אתו ברצונם, והטעם שלא הכריחם, רק מהרו כולם לעשות ולמלאות רצון השם:
1IN THE SELFSAME DAY. Abraham did not hesitate to carry out the commandment of circumcision. Behold, Abraham’s household consisted of three hundred eighteen males born in his house24 aside from those bought with his money. After circumcising them, Abraham circumcised himself on that very day.25 (v. 23). After stating this, Scripture notes, And Abraham was ninety years old and nine when he was circumcised (v. 24). Thus Abraham was circumcised last. Now Ishmael his son plus all those born in his house and bought with his money were voluntarily circumcised with him (Abraham) (v. 27). For the meaning of “with him” (v. 27) is that Abraham did not have to force his household to comply with God’s commandment. They all voluntarily hurried to do and fulfill God’s will.