Lexical Summary dalah: To draw, to lift, to fetch Original Word: דָּלָה Strong's Exhaustive Concordance draw out, enough, lift up A primitive root (compare dalal); properly, to dangle, i.e. To let down a bucket (for drawing out water); figuratively, to deliver -- draw (out), X enough, lift up. see HEBREW dalal Brown-Driver-Briggs דָּלָה verb draw (water) (Late Hebrew id., Aramaic דְּלָא,  ; Arabic  pull up bucket; II, IV let down; v hang down; compare  bucket; Ethiopic  : weigh; Assyrian dalû, draw water, compare Dl § 108 C AdlerPAOS Oct. 1888, xcix.; also dilûtu, bucket, Idib; dalâni COTGloss) — Qal Perfect דָּלָה Exodus 2:19; Imperfect3masculine singular suffix יִדְלֶ֑נָּה Proverbs 20:5; דַּלְיוּ Proverbs 26:7 see below; 3 feminine pluralוַתִּדְלֶנָה Exodus 2:16; Infinitive absolute דָּלֹה Exodus 2:19; — draw (water, but no object expressed) Exodus 2:6,19 (twice in verse); figurative of drawing counsel (עֵצָזה) out of heart, with accusative (suffix) Proverbs 20:5. — דַּלְיוּ Proverbs 26:7 is difficult; read perhaps 3 masculine plural דָּלָיוּ intransitive, a lame man's legs hang down (helpless) so Ew Sta§ 413 a; other views in De Now. Pi`el Perfect2masculine singular suffix דִּלִּיתָ֑נִי Psalm 30:2 figurative (compare Pa`el in Syriac) subject ׳י thou hast drawn me up (out of Sh®°ôl, compare Psalm 30:4). Topical Lexicon Ancient Near Eastern SettingDrawing water by hand was a daily necessity in the patriarchal and Mosaic periods. Wells and cisterns were strategic locations that fostered community life, shaped social encounters, and often framed divine appointments. The motion of lowering a bucket and hauling it upward provides the concrete action behind דָּלָה and supplies the imagery later writers employ for spiritual rescue and searching insight. Narrative Usage: Exodus 2 • Exodus 2:16 records the seven daughters of the priest of Midian who “came to draw water and fill the troughs to water their father’s flock.” The verb highlights the industrious routine of shepherd life and sets the stage for Moses’ first recorded act of deliverance. • In Exodus 2:19 the daughters report, “An Egyptian rescued us from the shepherds; he even drew water for us and watered the flock.” Moses’ intervention mirrors their own action but with added strength and care, foreshadowing his larger role of drawing Israel out of bondage. The detail that he personally “drew water” underscores servant-leadership and prefigures the Red Sea deliverance, where God will once again use Moses to lift a people out from oppression. Poetic Usage: Psalm 30:1 “I will exalt You, O LORD, for You have lifted me up and have not allowed my enemies to triumph over me.” Here דָּלָה shifts from physical motion to redemptive metaphor. David celebrates being hoisted from the brink of death—an experience likened to a bucket raised from deep waters. The verse reinforces that the LORD’s salvation is active, personal, and complete; He does not merely rescue but sets the rescued in a place of security where foes are powerless. Psalm 30, composed for the dedication of the temple, therefore invites worshipers in every generation to remember that corporate praise flows from experienced deliverance. Wisdom Usage: Proverbs 20:5 “The intentions of a man’s heart are deep waters, but a man of understanding draws them out.” The proverb turns the well image inward. Human motives lie hidden and inaccessible, yet a discerning person can bring them to the surface. Biblical counseling grows from this principle: patient questions, scriptural truth, and Spirit-guided wisdom cooperate to uncover what is submerged, enabling repentance and renewed obedience. Theological Motifs 1. Divine Initiative: Whether lifting David from danger or empowering Moses to aid strangers, the motion originates with God, who equips servants to participate in His saving work. 2. From Depth to Height: דָּלָה consistently moves from below to above, reinforcing the biblical pattern of salvation that raises the lowly (Psalm 113:7-8) and seats them in safety. 3. Revelation: In wisdom literature the verb stresses disclosure—what is hidden in the heart becomes evident. This anticipates New Testament teaching that “Nothing is concealed that will not be disclosed” (Luke 8:17). Christological Reflection Jesus Christ embodies every dimension of דָּלָה. He comes as the greater Moses who draws a people out of slavery to sin, and as the Good Counselor who reveals the thoughts of many hearts (Luke 2:35). At Jacob’s well He declares, “Whoever drinks the water I give him will never thirst” (John 4:14), offering living water that He alone can draw and bestow. Ministry Implications • Shepherding Leadership: Pastors and elders, like Moses at the well, combine protection with service, willingly drawing water for the flock rather than demanding to be served. • Worship and Testimony: Congregational praise should rehearse specific rescues, echoing David’s resolve to exalt the LORD for lifting him up. • Counseling and Discipleship: Effective soul-care requires Spirit-led insight to draw out the purposes, fears, and sins hidden within the heart, applying Scripture so that living water cleanses and satisfies. Summary Across narrative, poetic, and wisdom texts, דָּלָה portrays the movement from depth to deliverance—whether literal water for livestock, the raising of the afflicted, or the uncovering of buried motives. The verb’s handful of occurrences trace a line from a Midianite well to the worship of Israel and the counsel of the wise, ultimately pointing to the Messiah who lifts humanity from the pit and draws forth springs of eternal life. Forms and Transliterations דִלִּיתָ֑נִי דָּלֹ֤ה דָלָה֙ דלה דליתני וַתִּדְלֶ֗נָה ותדלנה יִדְלֶֽנָּה׃ ידלנה׃ ḏā·lāh dā·lōh daLah ḏālāh daLoh dālōh ḏil·lî·ṯā·nî dilliTani ḏillîṯānî vattidLenah wat·tiḏ·le·nāh wattiḏlenāh yiḏ·len·nāh yidLennah yiḏlennāhLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Exodus 2:16 HEB: בָּנ֑וֹת וַתָּבֹ֣אנָה וַתִּדְלֶ֗נָה וַתְּמַלֶּ֙אנָה֙ אֶת־ NAS: and they came to draw water and filled KJV: and they came and drew [water], and filled INT: daughters came to draw and filled the troughs Exodus 2:19 Exodus 2:19 Psalm 30:1 Proverbs 20:5 5 Occurrences |
    |