Genesis 14:23

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.’

Genesis 38:28

38:28 While she was giving birth, one child ³  put out his hand, and the midwife took a scarlet thread and tied it on his hand, saying, “This one came out first.”

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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 word “child” has been supplied in the translation for stylistic reasons.