Tanach · Rishonim on Tanach · Ibn Ezra · Torah

Ibn Ezra on Numbers 33:55/אבן עזרא על במדבר ל״ג:נ״ה

אלשכים. קוצים חדים מגזרת הסר מסוכתו. הנני סך את דרכך בסירים:

1AS THORNS. Sikkim refers to sharp thorns. It is related to the word mesukkato (hedge thereof)²⁶ in the hedge thereof (Is. 5:5) and the word sakh (hedge) in behold, I will hedge up thy way with thorns (Hos. 2:8).

בולצנינם. פירושו לפי מקומו כמו ולשוטט בצדיכם שהם מכות בשוט או קוצים חדים כמו צנים פחים והנה עוד פי' להם גבול נחלתם שהם חייבים להוריש משם יושב הארץ:

2AND AS PRICKS. The word tzeninim (pricks) is to be explained according to its context. It means the same as u-leshotet be-tziddekhem (a scourge in your sides) (Josh. 23:13), which²⁷ refers to a blow delivered by a whip.²⁸. Thus ve-litzninim be-tziddekhem (and as pricks in your sides) means, and lashes in their sides. On the other hand, the word tzeninim (pricks) might refer to sharp thorns, as in Thorns (tzinnim) and snares in the way of the froward (Prov. 22:5).²⁹ (and for pricks in your sides) means, and for thorns in their sides. Observe, Scripture further explains³⁰ the borders of their inheritance from which they are obligated to expel the inhabitants of the land.