← H1801 H1803 →

דָּלָה

𐤃𐤋𐤄

dâlâh

H1802 verb

SILEX Entry

Root דלה to draw up, to lift, to extract

Definition

To draw up or out (usually liquid), specifically to pull water from a well or cistern using a vessel. This verb is also used metaphorically to indicate drawing out or delivering from danger, distress, or other figurative situations. In biblical usage, it can denote both the literal action of extracting with a bucket or vessel, and the figurative notion of being lifted from a desperate situation.

Semantic Range

to draw water (from a well or cistern), to pull up or lift out (literal), to deliver or rescue (figurative), to bring up from a low place (metaphorical), to be elevated from danger or distress

Root / Etymology

Root דלה (dalh), likely connected to the sense of lifting or suspending. It is distinct from דָּלַל (dalal, 'to be poor, weak, hang low') but may share a broader semantic field relating to hanging, lowering, or bringing up. The verbal noun form refers to the act of drawing up or the result thereof.

Historical & Contextual Notes

דָּלָה most commonly appears in contexts relating to drawing water from a well, a central activity in ancient Israelite daily life. The action is frequently depicted as essential for sustenance (Genesis 24:13, 19–20). In figurative senses, such as in Psalm 30:2, it is used for deliverance from distress or danger, indicating being brought up from a low or perilous situation. The verb is used with a concrete subject (a person drawing water) or as a metaphor, often with YHWH as the deliverer. Distinction should be drawn between literal use (physical elevation of water or a person) and extended metaphorical use (deliverance, rescue). English translations sometimes use 'draw,' 'lift,' or 'deliver,' but may not fully convey the original imagery of upward movement from below. דָּלָה should be distinguished from שׁאב ('to draw water'), which refers specifically to the act of scooping or drawing water, while דָּלָה emphasizes the act of extracting or raising, especially from below. There is no evidence for a cultic or exclusively religious use in the Hebrew Bible; the metaphorical senses derive from the physical action and its social context. Use and nuance remain relatively stable across First Temple and later biblical periods, with some broadening of figurative applications in poetic literature.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

a primitive root (compare דָּלַל); properly, to dangle, i.e. to let down abucket (for drawing out water); figuratively, to deliver; draw (out), [idiom] enough, lift up.

Bantu Hebrew

No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.

+ Add Bantu Hebrew Word

Root Family

דלה (d-l-h) — to draw up, to lift, to extract

Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
H1803 דַּלָּה dangling strand of
H1805 דְּלִי from his two drawing-buckets
H1806 דְּלָיָה Yah Has Drawn Up
H1808 דָּלִיָּה his hanging branches
H1817 דֶּלֶת hanging door-panel

Word Forms

5 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
H1802-01 דָלָה֙ dalah HVqp3ms actually drew water he drew up 1
H1802-03 דִלִּיתָ֑/נִי dilitani HVpp2ms/Sp1cs you have drawn me up you drew me up 1
H1802-02 דָּלֹ֤ה daloh HVqa drew to draw up 1
H1802-04 וַ/תִּדְלֶ֗נָה vatidelenah HC/Vqw3fp and drew water, and they drew up 1
H1802-05 יִדְלֶֽ/נָּה yidelenah HVqi3ms/Sp3fs draws it out he draws her up 1

Occurrences in Scripture

5 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
H1802-04 Exodus 2:16 וַ/תִּדְלֶ֗נָה vatidelenah HC/Vqw3fp and drew water, and they drew up
H1802-02 Exodus 2:19 דָּלֹ֤ה daloh HVqa drew to draw up
H1802-01 Exodus 2:19 דָלָה֙ dalah HVqp3ms actually drew water he drew up
H1802-03 Psalms 30:2 דִלִּיתָ֑/נִי dilitani HVpp2ms/Sp1cs you have drawn me up you drew me up
H1802-05 Proverbs 20:5 יִדְלֶֽ/נָּה yidelenah HVqi3ms/Sp3fs draws it out he draws her up
← H1801 Hebrew Lexicon H1803 →