Tanach · Rishonim on Tanach · Ibn Ezra · Torah
Ibn Ezra on Numbers 18:2/אבן עזרא על במדבר י״ח:ב׳
אשבט אביך. הוא לוי וחז"ל פירשוהו כמשמעו ולפי דעתי מה שפירשתיו כאילו אמר מטה לוי שהוא שבט אביך:
1THE TRIBE OF THY FATHER. The reference is to Levi.3 is to be understood as the tribe of Levi, the tribe of your patriarch Levi. Our sages say that the tribe of thy father is to be taken at face value.4 However, I believe that it is to be explained in keeping with my earlier interpretation. Our verse is to be read as if written, the tribe of Levi which is the tribe of your father.5 is to be read as if written, matteh levi she-hu shevet avikha.
בוילוו. כמו ונספחו וכן ילוה אישי והנה הלוים נלוים בשמם:
2THAT THEY MAY BE JOINED. The meaning of ve-yillavu is similar to ve-nispechu (and they shall join) (Is. 14:1). So too the word yillaveh (be joined) in Now this time will my husband be joined (Gen. 29:34). Look, the Levites are joined by their names.6. Their name indicates that they have joined Aaron. Some editions read, ke-shemam. In this case I.E. reads: The Levites are joined [to Aaron] as their names [indicate].
גואתה ובניך אתך. תשבו לפני אהל מועד לבדכם ולא הלוים:
3THOU AND THY SONS WITH THEE. You and your sons, and not the Levites, shall abide before the tent of meeting.