What do we learn from "Lema'an Tevo'ach Tevach"?
Radak: The gerund is mentioned with the verb, to strengthen the matter, like "Lema'an Betzo'a Batza" (22:27), "u'Ma'alah Ma'al ba'Shem" (Vayikra 5:21).
Radak citing Targum Yonasan: It was drawn in order to kill.
Malbim: The sharpened side was sharpened in order to slaughter.
What Barak did it have?
Rashi: It flashes. Malbim ? the side that is Merutah is so it will shine. A sword that kills does not shine; it is dirty with blood, and not polished.
What is the grammatical form of "Moratah"?
Radak: it is a verb; the subject is omitted. The Dagesh in the Tes is to strengthen it, to beautify the pronunciation. This is common in Tanach.
Why does it say "Oh Nasis"?
Rashi: This is said in astonishment. Should we rejoice more?!
Rashi (18, citing Targum Yonasan): Because Shevatim Yehudah and Binyamin rejoiced over of the [10] tribes of Yisrael, that they were exiled for serving idolatry, and [Yehudah and Binyamin] reverted to err with wooden images. Rashi ? also he explains "Oh Nasis" in astonishment.
Rashi (18): Perhaps we should rejoice, for you will tell me that the Shevet of My son (Yehudah) despise all wood. Malchei Yehudah despise idolatry. We find that Aviyah said "v'Imachem Eglei ha'Zahav" (Divrei ha'Yamim II, 13:8). Asa, Yehoshafat and Chizkiyah eradicated all idolatry under their hands. Also these will repent!
Radak: Perhaps you will say that we will rejoice over this sword, for it did not leave for [striking] us, rather, for our enemies, we cannot rejoice over it, for it came to cut off the staff of My son.
What is the meaning of "Shevet Bni Mo'eses Kol Etz"?
Rashi: The staff with which I hit My son, it is harder than all staffs. It makes the blow of every staff and wood despised ? they are nothing compared to it.
Rashi (18): Refer to 21:15:4:2-3.
Radak: It despises to cut any wood, except for that of my son, i.e. Yisrael.
Malbim: This sword is designated to be the staff to afflict my son. It does not accept a wooden handle. Therefore, one side is dull, so one can hold it in his hand.
Malbim (according to the Nimshal): Nebuchadnetzar could not hold the siege weapons via a handle. They did not suffice to conquer Yerushalayim. Yisrael viewed it is as if it was not a sword, rather, a mere staff, for Yisrael were stronger. Just like a staff, the handle is the same species as the staff, so [Nebuchadnetzar] must do for his swords ? the handles were of iron. He dulled one side, and pretended to seek Shalom. Via this, people of the city will fight each other, and the king and officers will kill from the nation. Via he was able to hold the sword and conquer Yerushalayim. Even though he pretended to seek Shalom, they knew that his sword is sharp and he wants to kill with it.
