Genesis 14:23

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.’

Genesis 46:30

46:30 Israel said to Joseph, “Now let me die since I have seen your face and know that you are still alive.”


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.”

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

tn Heb “after my seeing your face that you are still alive.”