Genesis 14:23-24

14:23 that I will take nothing ¹  belonging to you, not even a thread or the strap of a sandal. That way you can never say, ‘It is I ²  who made Abram rich.’ 14:24 I will take nothing ³  except compensation for what the young men have eaten. ⁴  As for the share of the men who went with me – Aner, Eshcol, and Mamre – let them take their share.”

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.

³ tn The words “I will take nothing” have been supplied in the translation for stylistic reasons.

⁴ tn Heb “except only what the young men have eaten.”