Reply To: Mind-blowing statement from the Iben Ezra

For all those dissing the assertion, I searched and found!

Check out Koheles chapter 8 verse 8. (Final piece on verse).

Commenting on the last statement “vlo yimalet resha es bialav” – “and wickedness cannot save the wrongdoer.” the Iben Ezra discusses the word “resha”. First he explains it to mean – not the traditional meaning of “wickedness” – rather “an abundance of movement and victory” He brings two verses to support his assertion.

Then he states “and some explain that it is (refers to) money, since most of it is amassed through wickedness”

In other words, this interpretation uses the traditional meaning of “wickedness” but states that it refers to something definite – money. (I do not understand why the verse cannot simply mean that acts of wickedness – whatever forms they take – will not escape unpunished. I think that somehow the dikduk of “resha” lends itself to be referring to a specific scenario vs. a general meaning. I am not sure why, anyone?)

Be it is it may, the Iben Ezra is bringing down an alternate interpretation. He obviously holds that it could fit into the meaning of the verse, even though he likes his interpretation better. He certainly believes in the sweeping statement, since if held it not to be true he would be the first to blow it off, as he does countless times.