Tanach · Rishonim on Tanach · Ibn Ezra · Torah
Ibn Ezra on Genesis 32:33/אבן עזרא על בראשית ל״ב:ל״ג
אבגיד הנשה. ידוע כאשר העתיקו קדמונינו ז"ל, ואין בו ספק כי אם לחסרי הדעת ותולדות שמפרשים שהוא האבר. ויפרשו הנשה מגזרת נשים לדעת זה המלאך שנראה ליעקב שהוא גוף יתבאר לך אם השם יפקח את לבבך בפ' "כי שמי בקרבו" (שמות סג כא):
1THE SINEW OF THE THIGH-VEIN. The meaning of the term gid ha-nasheh (the sinew of the thigh-vein) is known from the tradition received and transmitted to us by the Talmudic sages.49 91a. The rabbis interpret gid na-nasheh to mean the sinew that slipped from its place. No one but those lacking in understanding and knowledge of nature have any doubt as to its definition. The latter interpret gid (sinew) to refer to the penis and hold that nassheh (thigh-vein) comes from the same root as nashim (women).50 as follows: Therefore the children of Israel do not engage (eat) in abnormal intercourse with women (gid ha-nasheh). According to Krinsky it is this interpretation which I.E. negates. Note, the angel that appeared to Jacob was corporeal.51. 38. It reads, ve-da (note). The printed text reads, la-da’at (to know). This will be explained to you, if God will enlighten you, in the chapter that begins, for My name is in him (Ex. 23:21).