דָּלָה (da.lah)
da.lah
to draw (up/out)
H:VQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 3 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:V
Word Overview
The Hebrew verb dalah describes the physical act of drawing something up, most commonly water from a well. With only three occurrences in the Old Testament, it appears in practical narratives like Genesis 24:14 and Exodus 2:19, where servants or Moses draw water to quench thirst. The word captures the effort of pulling a bucket from the depths, emphasizing the upward motion required to bring what is hidden below into view.
Beyond its literal use, dalah carries a metaphorical sense of drawing out counsel or advice. In Proverbs 20:18, the text suggests that plans are established through "drawing" discussions, implying that wisdom emerges from pulling thoughts together in conversation. The Piel stem reinforces this by focusing on the result: having drawn something up successfully. This dual usage links the tangible labor of fetching water with the intellectual labor of seeking guidance.
Translators often render dalah as "draw" or "fetch," preserving the simple, active nature of the verb. The word reminds readers that both sustenance and wisdom require deliberate effort; neither water nor good counsel appears spontaneously but must be actively retrieved from their source.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The Hebrew word dalah describes the physical act of drawing something up from below, most often water from a well. It captures the effort of pulling a bucket from the depths to bring what is hidden into view. This simple action reminds us that sustenance does not appear by chance; it requires deliberate movement and engagement with our surroundings.
Beyond fetching water, dalah carries a metaphorical sense of drawing out counsel or advice. In Proverbs 20:5, wisdom is compared to deep water that must be actively retrieved by a person of understanding. This suggests that insight does not fall into our laps but emerges when we engage in thoughtful conversation and seek guidance from others.
Both physical needs and spiritual insights require this same upward motion. We are invited to participate in the process of receiving what sustains us, whether it is water for the body or wisdom for the mind. This active engagement reflects a faithful reliance on God's provision while acknowledging our role in seeking it out.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 3 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- he drew1×
- he draws out/ it1×
- carefully <to draw>1×
- and/ they drew1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- יִדְלֶֽ/נָּה\׃1×
- וַ/תִּדְלֶ֗נָה1×
- דָּלֹ֤ה1×
- דָלָה֙1×
Key Verses
-
Exodus 2:16
Now the priest of Midian had seven daughters. They came and drew water, and filled the troughs to water their father’s flock.
This verse establishes the literal context of the word, showing the daughters of Midian performing the daily labor of drawing water for their father's flock.
-
Exodus 2:19
They said, “An Egyptian delivered us out of the hand of the shepherds, and moreover he drew water for us, and watered the flock.”
Here the term highlights Moses' helpful action in drawing water, marking a pivotal moment where divine providence meets human service.
-
Proverbs 20:5
Counsel in the heart of man is like deep water, but a man of understanding will draw it out.
This occurrence shifts the meaning to wisdom, illustrating how understanding must be actively drawn out from the depths of the human heart like water from a well.