complete verse (Genesis 14:24)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Genesis 14:24:

  • Kankanaey: “Therefore I will take absolutely nothing except only what my people ate and the share of these my companions Aner and Escol and Mamre.'” (Source: Kankanaey Back Translation)
  • Newari: “Except for what the people have eaten, I do not need anything. Rather give only the share of Eshcol and Mamre, who came with me.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “I will- not -receive anything for myself. What- I -will- just -consider that I have-received is what- my men -have-eaten, but allow my companions Aner, Eshcol, and Mamre to-get their portion of the things that were-taken from the war.'” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • English: “The only thing I will accept is the food that my men have eaten. But Aner, Eshcol, and Mamre went with me and fought alongside me, so let them also have a share of the goods we brought back.’ So the king of Sodom agreed to what he said.” (Source: Translation for Translators)

Translation commentary on Genesis 14:24

I will take nothing but what the young men have eaten: Abram as a responsible leader of his troops must take care of them. It is evident that what has been consumed is no longer negotiable. However, what his men have eaten was originally part of the possessions of the people of Sodom and others, and in a sense Abram accepts that he has used up part of the people’s goods and livestock. Abram’s response may be rendered, for example, “For my part I will take nothing” or “I will accept nothing for myself” (Good News Translation).

Eaten does not necessarily refer to consuming food only. The verb “to eat” may also be used, as in 31.15, in the sense of “use up.” See Good News Translation. Young men generally refers to youths of marriageable age, but here they are soldiers. We may say with Moffatt “the troops” or “my soldiers.”

Although there is no evidence earlier in the story that Abram’s allies took part in the pursuit and defeat of the four kings, Abram now speaks of the men who went with me. These appear to be Abram’s allies, Aner, Eshcol, and Mamre. Abram will also accept a share, portion, part of the recovered loot for them. This request for a share of the loot to be given to his friends is in contrast to his desire to keep nothing for himself. Accordingly many translations begin this final sentence with “But.” For example, one says “But you’ve got to let my three friends … take their share.”

Quoted with permission from Reyburn, William D. and Fry, Euan McG. A Handbook on Genesis. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 1997. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .