Another matter, “and his offering” – Rabbi Pinḥas ben Yair said: Why, regarding the offerings of all the princes, is it written: “His offering [korbano],” [and] “goats [atudim],”33Atudim is spelled ayin, tav, [vav], dalet, and yod. The vav can be omitted. [both] without a vav, and regarding Naḥshon, “and his offering [vekorbano],” [and] “goats [atudim],” each with a vav. Vekorbano, why is there an extra vav?
It is corresponding to six matters that were introduced into the world on that day. First for the Divine Presence that rested in Israel, as it is stated: “They shall craft me a Tabernacle and I will dwell in their midst” (Exodus 25:8). First for the princes, first for the Priestly Benediction, as it is stated: “Aaron raised his hands toward the people, and blessed them” (Leviticus 9:22). First for the partition of the camp of the Divine Presence,34There is a partition, namely the sheets around the courtyard of the Tabernacle, which delineate the camp of the Divine Presence.
No one who is impure may enter it. first for the prohibition of an improvised altar, as it is written: “Beware, lest you offer up your burnt offerings [in any place that you see]” (Deuteronomy 12:13). First for the descent of the fire, as it is written: “Fire emerged from before the Lord and consumed upon the altar…” (Leviticus 9:24). Therefore, let a descendant of Naḥshon with six perfect attributes come and build the foundation of the Temple, just as it says: “One of the lads answered [and said: Behold, I have seen a son of Yishai the Bethlehemite, one who knows to play” (I Samuel 16:18),35The verse refers to David.
His lineage appears in Ruth 4:18–22. Naḥshon was his great-great-great-grandfather. he knows how to ask, “a mighty warrior” (I Samuel 16:18), he knows how to answer, “a man of war” (I Samuel 16:18), he knows how to give and take in the battle of Torah, “one who is discerning of matters” (I Samuel 16:18); he understands one matter from another matter, “and a man of form” (I Samuel 16:18), he displays understanding in halakha, “and the Lord is with him” (I Samuel 16:18); the halakha is in accordance with his opinion in every instance.
That is why atudim is with a vav, as David, who descended from him, was blessed with six blessings. Atudim is nothing other than an expression of standing ready, just as it says: “Which are ready to become heaps” (Job 15:28), and it says: “And ready them for you in the field” (Proverbs 24:27).