Tanach · Rishonim on Tanach · Ibn Ezra · Torah
Ibn Ezra on Leviticus 21:20/אבן עזרא על ויקרא כ״א:כ׳
אאו גבן. קרוב מגזרת הרים גבנונים והנו״ן שרש והוא שם התאר:
1OR CROOK-BACKED. The word gibben (crook-backed) is most probably related to the word gavnunnim (peaks) in ye mountains of peaks (Ps. 68:17).66 is someone who is extremely tall. The nun67. is a root letter.68 (crook-backed) to gavnunnim (peaks). Gibben is an adjective. Similarly the word dak (a dwarf) is to be interpreted according to the plain meaning.69
בכן דק והוא כמשמעו להיות דק קצר קומה:
2Dak means short of stature.70 stands in contrast to gibben. If gibben means a peak, then dak is its opposite.
גתבלול בעינו. יש אומרים מגזרת תבל עשו השחתה ויש אומרים מגזרת בלולה בשמן והתי״ו על שני הפירושים נוסף:
3HATH HIS EYE OVERSPREAD. Some say that tevallul (overspread) is related to the word tevel (corruption) in they have wrought corruption (Lev. 20:12). Tevallul means a corruption.71 Others say that tevallul is related to the word belullah (mingled) in mingled with oil (Lev. 2:5).72). According to both interpretations the tav of tevallul is superfluous.73 is bet, lamed, lamed.
דגם גרב בעין על דעת רבים כן:
4According to the opinion of many the scab (garav) is also in the eye.
הילפת. כטעם דבק מגזרת וילפת שמשון ויש אומרים עוות מגזרת ויחרד האיש וילפת והיו״ד נוסף כיו״ד יצהר:
5OR SCURVY. Yalefet (scurvy) means sticking.74 It is related to the word va-yilpot (took fast hold) in And Samson took fast hold (Jud. 16:29). There are others who say that yalefet means crooked.75 with a crooked hand, foot, fingers, etc. It is related to the word va-yillafet (turned) in that the man was startled, and turned (Ruth 3:8). The yod of yalefet is superfluous.76. It is like the yod of yitzhar (oil) (Num. 18:12).77.
ומרוח. שם התאר מגזרת רוח:
6CRUSHED. Mero’ach (crushed) is an adjective. It is related to the word ru’ach (wind).78
זאשך. הביצה ואחר שפרט אמר כלל כל איש אשר בו מום:
7STONES. Ashekh (stones) refers to the testicle. After listing specific blemishes the Torah issues a general statement and says, no man…that hath a blemish (v. 21).