The Meaning of Genesis 14:23 Explained

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:

YLT: from a thread even unto a shoe-latchet I take not of anything which thou hast, that thou say not, I -- I have made Abram rich;

Darby: if from a thread even to a sandal-thong, yes, if of all that is thine, I take anything ...; that thou mayest not say, I have made Abram rich;

ASV: that I will not take a thread nor a shoe-latchet nor aught that is thine, lest thou shouldest say, I have made Abram rich:

KJV Reverse Interlinear

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: 

What does Genesis 14:23 Mean?

Context Summary

Genesis 14:13-24 - Abram And Melchizedek
Recently discovered monuments confirm this narrative of the confederacy of the kings, but do not tell of their overthrow. Abram might fairly have left Lot to reap as he had sown, but his soul yearned over his weak and entrapped relative, and he set himself to deliver him. Men of faith and prayer are still able to rescue those who are taken captive by the devil at his will. Faith subdues kingdoms. The moment of success is always one of danger. The king of Sodom insidiously proposed that they should share the spoils! But how could Abram live as a pensioner on God's care, if he feathered his nest with the tainted wealth of Sodom? A previous interview had taken place, which made Abram strong. Melchizedek was king and priest of the tribe which held Jerusalem. Read Hebrews 7:1-28. He brought bread and wine, and a fresh revelation of the character of God, on which Abram rested his soul. What had he to do with Sodom, who was the child of such a Father? Christ always anticipates Satan. See Luke 22:31. [source]

Chapter Summary: Genesis 14

1  The battle of four kings against the king of Sodom and his allies
12  Lot is taken prisoner
14  Abram rescues him
17  Melchizedek blesses Abram, who gives him tithes
21  Abram restores the rest of the spoil to the king of Sodom

What do the individual words in Genesis 14:23 mean?

that I [will take] nothing from a thread and even to strap of a sandal that I will not take anything that [is] yours lest you should say I have made rich - Abram
אִם־ מִחוּט֙ וְעַ֣ד שְׂרֽוֹךְ־ נַ֔עַל וְאִם־ אֶקַּ֖ח מִכָּל־ אֲשֶׁר־ לָ֑ךְ וְלֹ֣א תֹאמַ֔ר אֲנִ֖י הֶעֱשַׁ֥רְתִּי אֶת־ אַבְרָֽם

אִם־  that  I  [will  take]  nothing 
Parse: Conjunction
Root: אִם  
Sense: if.
מִחוּט֙  from  a  thread 
Parse: Preposition-m, Noun, masculine singular
Root: חוּט  
Sense: a thread, cord, line, string.
וְעַ֣ד  and  even  to 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Preposition
Root: עַד  
Sense: as far as, even to, until, up to, while, as far as.
שְׂרֽוֹךְ־  strap 
Parse: Noun, masculine singular construct
Root: שְׂרֹוךְ  
Sense: sandal thong.
נַ֔עַל  of  a  sandal 
Parse: Noun, feminine singular
Root: נַעַל  
Sense: sandal, shoe.
וְאִם־  that 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Conjunction
Root: אִם  
Sense: if.
אֶקַּ֖ח  I  will  not  take 
Parse: Verb, Qal, Imperfect, first person common singular
Root: יָקַח 
Sense: to take, get, fetch, lay hold of, seize, receive, acquire, buy, bring, marry, take a wife, snatch, take away.
מִכָּל־  anything 
Parse: Preposition-m, Noun, masculine singular construct
Root: כֹּל  
Sense: all, the whole.
אֲשֶׁר־  that  [is] 
Parse: Pronoun, relative
Root: אֲשֶׁר 
Sense: (relative part.).
לָ֑ךְ  yours 
Parse: Preposition, second person feminine singular
וְלֹ֣א  lest 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Adverb, Negative particle
Root: הֲלֹא 
Sense: not, no.
תֹאמַ֔ר  you  should  say 
Parse: Verb, Qal, Imperfect, second person masculine singular
Root: אָמַר 
Sense: to say, speak, utter.
הֶעֱשַׁ֥רְתִּי  have  made  rich 
Parse: Verb, Hifil, Perfect, first person common singular
Root: עָשַׁר  
Sense: to be or become rich or wealthy, enrich, pretend to be rich.
אֶת־  - 
Parse: Direct object marker
Root: אֹות 
Sense: sign of the definite direct object, not translated in English but generally preceding and indicating the accusative.
אַבְרָֽם  Abram 
Parse: Proper Noun, masculine singular
Root: אַבְרָם  
Sense: original name of Abraham.