Genesi 14:23

23 se, di tutto ciò ch’è tuo, io prendo pure un filo, od una correggia di scarpa; che talora tu non dica: Io ho arricchito Abramo;

Genesi 14:23 Meaning and Commentary

Genesis 14:23

That I will not [take] from a thread even to a shoelatchet,
&c.] That is, from a thread used in sewing garments to, a shoelatchet, or the string which fastens the shoes to the foot, the least belonging to that; or from the hair lace of the head, to the shoelatchet of the foot; that is, he would take nothing of his from head to foot: the meaning is, that he would not take that which was of the least value and importance that could be conceived of, and which is more clearly expressed by what follows:

and that I will not take anything that [is] thine;
the least thing that belonged to him, or to any of his subjects, for this reason:

lest thou shouldest say, I have made Abram rich;
lest he should upbraid him with it afterwards, and say, that all his riches were owing to him; whereas God had promised to bless him, and make him rich and great, as he had begun to do, and still would more and more; and in whom his trusted, and to whom he was desirous all the glory of his greatness and riches should be ascribed.

Genesi 14:23 In-Context

21 E il re di Sodoma disse ad Abramo: Dammi le persone, e prendi per te la roba.
22 Ma Abramo rispose al re di Sodoma: Io ho alzata la mano al Signore Iddio altissimo, possessor del cielo e della terra;
23 se, di tutto ciò ch’è tuo, io prendo pure un filo, od una correggia di scarpa; che talora tu non dica: Io ho arricchito Abramo;
24 salvo sol quello che questi fanti hanno mangiato, e la parte degli uomini che sono andati meco, cioè: Aner, Escol e Mamre; essi prenderanno la lor parte.
The Giovanni Diodati Bible is in the public domain.