Tanach · Rishonim on Tanach · Ibn Ezra · Torah

Ibn Ezra on Numbers 17:11/אבן עזרא על במדבר י״ז:י״א

אאת המחתה. הידועה:

1TAKE THY FIRE-PAN. The reference is to a specific fire-pan.¹⁸ (fire-pan) has the definite article ha prefixed to it. The literal meaning of kach et ha-machtah is, take the fire-pan. According to I.E. the fire-pan in our verse means the specific fire-pan used to offer incense (Krinsky).

בושים קטרת. ולא אמר הקטרת והמשכיל יבין:

2AND LAY INCENSE THEREON. Scripture does not say, and lay “the” incense on.¹⁹ (incense), it refers to another incense. The intelligent will understand.²⁰

גוהולך. לשון צווי כמו הושב את אביך ושרשו כמו הוליכי וטעמו הובילי כמו ילך עמך:

3AND CARRY. The word holekh (and carry) is an imperative.²¹ looks like a kal participle. In this case the word would mean goes or walks. However, the context negates such a rendering. Hence I.E.’s comment. It is similar to the word hoshev (make to dwell)²² imperative. in make thy father…to dwell (Gen. 47:6). Holekh comes from the same root as helikhi (take away) (Ex. 2:9).²³. It means bring,²⁴ means: and bring (and carry) the fire-pan quickly to the congregation. the idea being it²⁵ should go with you.