Text -- Genesis 14:23-24 (NET)

14:23 that I will take nothing belonging to you, not even a thread or the strap of a sandal. That way you can never say, ‘It is I who made Abram rich.’ 14:24 I will take nothing except compensation for what the young men have eaten. As for the share of the men who went with me– Aner, Eshcol, and Mamre– let them take their share.”

Commentary -- Verse Notes / Footnotes

NET Notes: Gen 14:23

¹ tn The oath formula is elliptical, reading simply: “…if I take.” It is as if Abram says, “[May the Lord deal with me] if I take,” meaning, “I will surely not take.” The positive oath would add the negative adverb and be the reverse: “[God will deal with me] if I do not take,” meaning, “I certainly will.”

² tn The Hebrew text adds the independent pronoun (“I”) to the verb form for emphasis.

NET Notes: Gen 14:24

¹ tn The words “I will take nothing” have been supplied in the translation for stylistic reasons.

² tn Heb “except only what the young men have eaten.”