Midras Amsal 24:27: Ein Yaakov (Glick Edition) & Bamidbar Rabbah

(Fol. 44) Our Rabbis were taught (Deut. 20, 5) Who has built a new house… . who has planted a vineyard… that hath betrothed a wife. Here the Torah teaches a lesson in manners, one should build a house, first, then plant a vineyard and then marry a wife. Also Solomon in his wisdom said (Pr. 24, 27) Prepare without thy work, and make it fit in the field for thyself, and afterwards build thy house; i.e., prepare without thy work, refers to a house; and make it fit in the field for thyself, refers to a vineyard; and afterwards build thy house, refers to marrying a woman. In another way this may be explained, prepare without thy work, refers to the reading of Scripture; and make it fit in the field for thyself, refers to the reading of Scripture and the studying of Mishnah; and make it fit in the field for thyself, refers to the discussion of the Talmud; and afterwards build thy house, refers to meritorious deeds. R. Elazar the son of R. Josi, the Galilean says: "Prepare without thy work, refers to the reading of Scripture, the studying of the Mishnah and the discussing of the Talmud; And make it fit in the field for thyself, refers to meritorious deeds; and afterwards build thy house, means that he should explain it to others and be rewarded for it."

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).