And it did not write, "It reeked": It should not have written [such] an expression of disgrace. Rather it means to say, and it did not write, "its smell mixed," which would have implied [that] it reeked. Instead it wrote, "gave," an expression of affection.

Just as this hammer divides into several fragments: Rabbenu Shmuel (Rashbam) asked, but behold Scripture implies that the hammer shatters the rock - as it is not written, "and a hammer is shattered [by] a rock." And likewise we see that it is a hammer that shatters rocks. And we may not suggest a version, "Just as this rock divides into several pieces." For behold the utterance - meaning Torah - is compared to a hammer, and not to a rock. And [Rashi] explained, "Just like the rock divides through it." But this is does not sit well [with the text]; since the utterance itself divides. So it is not a complete comparison. But Rabbenu Tam says that Scripture is speaking about a stone that shatters iron. As it said in Midrash Hazit, "There is a story about one who bought sapphire and came to check it. He placed it on an anvil and struck it with a mallet. The hammer split and the anvil broke, but the sapphire did not move from its place. And that is like it is written (Jeremiah 23:29), 'and like a hammer that shatters a rock.'" And even though it is not written, "and a hammer is shattered [by] a rock" - there are many verses like this matter: "Stones wear away water" (Job 14:19) - the explanation [of which] is, the water wears them down. [If so,] what it said in the first chapter of Kiddushin (30b) comes out well: "[A Sage from] the school of Rabbi Yishmael taught, 'My son, if this wretched one (the evil inclination) encounters you, pull it into the study hall. And if it is a stone, it will melt, as it is stated, "Stones wear away water" - the meaning [of which] is the water will melt them. 'And if it is iron, it will shatter' - the meaning [of which] is if the evil inclination strengthens itself against him like iron, it will shatter - 'as it is stated, "and like a hammer that shatters a rock."'" And even though there it compares the evil inclination to a hammer, and here it compares words of Torah to a hammer, there is no concern; as several explanations come out from one verse.