What does « Bucket / To descend » mean in the Quran?

Discover the meaning of the word Bucket / To descend (دلو) in the Quran, with 3 verses in which it appears, and a detailed explanation from Al-Raghib al-Asfahani's Mufradat fi gharib al-Qur'an.

دلو

Bucket / To descend

Root: د - ل

Quranic language 3 verses

Updated on 29 May 2026 at 7:00 AM

📖 2 min read

Definition of Bucket / To descend

Dalawtu al-dalw: I lowered the bucket.

Adlaytuhâ: I raised it.

Allah says: 'He let down his bucket (dalwahu)' (Yûsuf: 19).

The traveler who lowered his bucket into the well found Joseph, announcing him as good news.

Bucket / To descend in the Quran (3)

Meccan: 2 Medinan: 1

Distribution of verses by surah

Al-Baqara 1

Yusuf 1

An-Najm 1

Surah Al-Baqara : 188 Medinan

﴿وَلَا تَأْكُلُوٓا۟ أَمْوَٰلَكُم بَيْنَكُم بِٱلْبَٰطِلِ وَتُدْلُوا۟ بِهَآ إِلَى ٱلْحُكَّامِ لِتَأْكُلُوا۟ فَرِيقًا مِّنْ أَمْوَٰلِ ٱلنَّاسِ بِٱلْإِثْمِ وَأَنتُمْ تَعْلَمُونَ﴾

And do not consume one another's wealth unjustly or send it [in bribery] to the rulers in order that [they might aid] you [to] consume a portion of the wealth of the people in sin, while you know [it is unlawful].

Surah Yusuf : 19 Meccan

﴿وَجَآءَتْ سَيَّارَةٌ فَأَرْسَلُوا۟ وَارِدَهُمْ فَأَدْلَىٰ دَلْوَهُۥ قَالَ يَٰبُشْرَىٰ هَٰذَا غُلَٰمٌ وَأَسَرُّوهُ بِضَٰعَةً وَٱللَّهُ عَلِيمٌۢ بِمَا يَعْمَلُونَ﴾

And there came a company of travelers; then they sent their water drawer, and he let down his bucket. He said, "Good news! Here is a boy." And they concealed him, [taking him] as merchandise; and Allah was knowing of what they did.

Surah An-Najm : 8 Meccan

﴿ثُمَّ دَنَا فَتَدَلَّىٰ﴾

Then he approached and descended