Tanach · Rishonim on Tanach · Ibn Ezra · Torah
Ibn Ezra on Numbers 4:19/אבן עזרא על במדבר ד׳:י״ט
אוחיו. יוסיפו חיים:
1THAT THEY MAY LIVE. That their lives may be extended.
בולא ימותו. בכרת והטעם כי אם ישמרו יקבלו שכר ואם לא יענשו כי יתכן שלא יענשו על כן ולא ימותו:
2AND NOT DIE. By excision. The meaning of our verse is that the family of the Kohathites will be rewarded if they observe and will be punished if they do not. Without the phrase and not die, our verse could be taken to imply that they will not be punished.
גושמו אותם. הארון והשולחן והמנורה והמזבחות:
3AND APPOINT THEM.30, which literally means, and put them. This can be interpreted as referring to the kohanim. Hence I.E.’s interpretation. The ark, the table, the menorah, and the altars.
דעל עבודתו. בכלי הקדש:
4EVERY ONE TO HIS SERVICE. This refers to the holy vessels.
הואל משאו. לשאת בכתף:
5AND TO HIS BURDEN. To be carried on the shoulder.