He that sacrificeth an ox, is as if he slew a man: he that killeth a sheep in sacrifice, as if he should brain a dog: he that offereth an oblation, as if he should offer swine’s blood; he that remembereth incense, as if he should bless an idol. All these things have they chosen in their ways, and their soul is delighted in their abominations.
Ibn Ezra
He that killeth an ox, etc. I look to him that trembleth at my word, not to those that sacrifice burnt offerings, and at the same time act badly; for he that killeth an ox, מכה איש is as guilty as if he slew a man; it is considered as murder on his part, because the offering is not brought properly; or is guilty as if he struck a man, not killing, but hurting and wounding him; He that sacrificeth a lamb before me, is guilty, ערף כלב as if he killed a dog; עֹרֵף֭ with the accent on the last syllable is participle Kal of ערף to cut off the neck; comp. וערפו and they shall strike off the neck (Deut. 21:4); when it has the accent on the last syllable but one (עׁ֭רֶף neck) it is a noun; he that offereth an oblation is guilty דם חזיר as if he offered the swine’s blood; מזכיר לבונה he that burneth incense—comp. אזכרה incense (Lev. 2:2)—isguilty, מברך און as if he blessed iniquity. גם המה Even they, namely, your forefathers; the word אבותיכם is to be supplied. chosen, etc.
Hebrew and Aramaic words are the commentator’s citations of the sacred text; the English translation that follows each is the translator’s.
Imported from an open dataset — not yet checked against the printed edition.