'Something' in the Bible

While she was giving birth, one of them put out his hand, so the midwife grabbed it and tied something scarlet around his hand, observing, "This one came out first."

But Jacob replied, "My son isn't going back with you, since his brother is dead and he's the only one left. If something should harm him as you travel, then it'll be death for me and my sad, gray hair!"

If you take this one from me, too, and then something harmful happens to him, then it will be death for me and my sad, gray hair!'