What is the meaning of the word "Lulei"?
What are the connotations of "Lulei Ka'as Oyev Agur"?
Rashi, Targum Onkelos and Targum Yonasan: 'Were it not for the fact that the anger of the enemy was pent up [against them to destroy them, and if they triumph, they will attribute it to themselves]'.
Rosh, Da'as Zekenim and Hadar Zekenim: If not for the fact that I am afraid that the enemy will anger Me 1 [when they triumph and attribute it to themselves].
See Oznayim la'Torah.
What is the gist of the end of the Pasuk?
Rashi: 'In case the enemy falsify the facts (boast - Targum Onkelos and Targum Yonasan) and attribute their victory to themselves and to their god - in case they raise their hand in triumph and deny that it was the work of Hashem'. 1
Seforno: 'In case they entice the remnant to be like them; in case they say to them that their hand is raised to destroy Yisrael as a nation, and that they should not rely on Hashem to save them, since it was not He who brought about the current situation'. 2
Ramban (in Pasuk 26): The Pasuk is explaining why Hashem did not leave Yisrael in Galus forever - like they deserve. And the reason is similar to that which Moshe presented to save Yisrael from extermination following the Meraglim, - and to which Hashem conceded (in Bamidbar, 14:15 & 20). Indeed, we are still in Galus, bereft of Z'chus Avos and with no reason to take us out other than for the sake of Hashem's Name. The redemption will not be merely to demonstrate to Hashem's enemies His superior Strength, but because He created man in this world in order that he recognize his Creator and to express his gratitude to His Name (see the last Mishnah in Avos). It is because, when all the other nations sinned and denied Hashem, only Yisrael remained for mankind to fulfill its mission. Consequently, it is by means of miracles and wonders that He performs with them that He makes known to all the nations that He is the God of gods and the Master of masters; and if Yisrael would be forgotten, they would not acknowledge His miracles and wonders, ascribing them to the stars and constellations - and the whole purpose of the creation would be negated. And that is why Hashem saw fit to permanently establish Yisrael as His people, since they are the only nation from among all the nations of the world who are close to Him and who know Him. .
Seforno: Something that it would never occur to all the nations to do if Yisrael were more numerous and scattered among them - as the Gemara states in Pesachim, 87, based on the Pasuk in Shoftim, 5:11.
