Genesis 14:23 kjv

That I will not take from a thread even to a shoelatchet, and that I will not take any thing that is thine, lest thou shouldest say, I have made Abram rich:

Genesis 14:23 nkjv

that I will take nothing, from a thread to a sandal strap, and that I will not take anything that is yours, lest you should say, 'I have made Abram rich'?

Genesis 14:23 niv

that I will accept nothing belonging to you, not even a thread or the strap of a sandal, so that you will never be able to say, 'I made Abram rich.'

Genesis 14:23 esv

that I would not take a thread or a sandal strap or anything that is yours, lest you should say, 'I have made Abram rich.'

Genesis 14:23 nlt

that I will not take so much as a single thread or sandal thong from what belongs to you. Otherwise you might say, 'I am the one who made Abram rich.'

Genesis 14 verses

Genesis 14 23 Meaning

Genesis 14:23 conveys Abram’s unwavering faith in God as his sole provider and his resolute commitment to protecting God's glory. By refusing even the most insignificant items from the King of Sodom, Abram ensures that no earthly king, particularly one from a wicked city, could ever claim credit for his prosperity. His action safeguards the truth that his wealth and blessings come directly and exclusively from the Almighty God, El Elyon, and not from human benefaction or questionable sources. This declaration highlights Abram's spiritual integrity and discernment, setting a foundational principle for believers to depend wholly on divine provision and to attribute all honor to God alone.

Genesis 14 23 Context

Genesis chapter 14 describes a significant military engagement in the life of Abram. Following the invasion of the five kings (including the King of Sodom and Gomorrah) who defeated the kings of the plain, Lot, Abram’s nephew, was captured along with his possessions. Upon hearing this, Abram mustered his 318 trained men, pursued the invading kings, routed them, and recovered all the spoils, including Lot and his family. Upon his victorious return, Abram was met by two figures: Melchizedek, the King of Salem and priest of God Most High, and then the King of Sodom. Abram’s encounter with Melchizedek is pivotal, as Abram acknowledges God as the "Possessor of heaven and earth" and gives a tenth of everything to him. Immediately after this, the King of Sodom offers Abram all the captured goods, stating that Abram should keep the goods and he would only take the people. Verse 23 is Abram's resolute reply to this offer, demonstrating his prior acknowledgement of God's supreme authority and his spiritual foresight. The historical context reflects a time when war spoils were significant sources of wealth, and a conquering leader would be expected to take them. However, Abram's refusal serves as a polemic against the worldview that human power or alliances are the ultimate source of one’s prosperity, particularly when linked to a morally corrupt entity like Sodom.

Genesis 14 23 Word analysis

• that I will not take (וְאִם-אֶקַּח - wə’im-’eqqaḥ): The Hebrew uses an emphatic negative structure (וְאִם - wə’im, usually 'and if', but here implying a strong oath or promise coupled with the negative future verb ’eqqaḥ meaning 'I will take'). It can be translated as "I swear I will not take" or "lest I should indeed take." It signals Abram's firm, unconditional, and self-binding resolve.
• a thread (מִחוּט - miḥuṭ): The Hebrew ḥuṭ (thread, cord) with the preposition min (from, of) signifies the smallest, most insignificant particle or item. It symbolizes the extreme extent of Abram's refusal, leaving no ambiguity about his intentions.
• or a sandal strap (וְעַד שְׂרוֹךְ-נַעַל - wə‘ad śərôḵ-na‘al): śərôḵ means "thong" or "strap," and na‘al is "sandal." A sandal strap was one of the cheapest and least valuable items imaginable, typically discarded once worn out. Coupled with "a thread," it forms a merism, meaning "not even the tiniest thing" or "nothing at all," from the smallest to the most trivial common object.
• or anything that is yours (וְעַד כָּל-דָּבָר אֲשֶׁר לָךְ - wə‘ad kāl-dāvār ’ăšer lāḵ): This comprehensive phrase serves as an ultimate summary, ensuring no item, however small or great, belonging to the King of Sodom, is accepted. It expands on the merism to explicitly state a total and unequivocal rejection of anything the King possessed.
• lest you should say (פֶּן תֹּאמַר - pen to’mar): pen is a negative conjunction meaning "lest" or "so that...not." This clause explicitly states Abram’s profound motivation: to prevent the King of Sodom from uttering a false claim or boasting about having provided for him. It points to a desire to protect divine glory and ensure accurate attribution of his blessings.
• ‘I have made Abram rich.’ (אֲנִי הֶעֱשַׁרְתִּי אֶת-אַבְרָם - ’ănî he‘ĕšartî ’et-’avrām): The King of Sodom's potential boast. The verb he‘ĕšartî (I have made rich) is in the Hifil stem, a causative form, emphasizing the idea of "causing" someone to become rich. This direct quote within the verse underscores the specific attribution Abram wishes to prevent. He wants no human, especially one morally compromised like the King of Sodom, to claim credit for his divinely bestowed prosperity.

Genesis 14 23 Bonus section

This verse stands in stark contrast to the common practice of pagan kings and cultures of the time, where a conquering hero would typically be showered with gifts or would seize spoils to signify his power and status. Abram's decision implicitly declares the superiority of the invisible, Almighty God over any earthly ruler or earthly provision. The sequence of events is vital: Abram had just experienced divine blessing and recognized God’s ownership of all things ("Possessor of heaven and earth") by tithing to Melchizedek. His subsequent refusal to the King of Sodom therefore becomes an act of theological consistency and deep worship, reaffirming that his identity, wealth, and destiny are tethered exclusively to the covenant promises of YHWH, not to the ephemeral favors of corrupt rulers. This foundational principle teaches about living separated from the world's values, discerning sources of influence, and maintaining an unwavering testimony that points to God alone as the orchestrator of all blessings.

Genesis 14 23 Commentary

Genesis 14:23 is a profound statement of faith and integrity from Abram, encapsulating several crucial biblical principles. Following his acknowledgement of God Most High through Melchizedek, Abram's refusal of the King of Sodom's generous offer highlights his unwavering trust in God as his sole provider. The detailed list—"not take a thread or a sandal strap or anything that is yours"—emphasizes his total and unequivocal rejection, preventing any possibility of compromise or indebtedness to a worldly, corrupt source. Abram understood that his true blessing and future lay with God alone. His central concern, "lest you should say, ‘I have made Abram rich,’" reveals a desire to safeguard God’s honor and ensure that all glory for his prosperity and success would be attributed solely to the Almighty. This act showcases his spiritual discernment, prioritizing a clean testimony and God’s glory over worldly gain. It sets a powerful example for believers to guard against receiving provision from sources that could tarnish their walk with God or cause others to misunderstand the source of divine blessings, always acknowledging God as the ultimate provider and sustainer.