←Prev   Ayah Yusuf (Joseph) 12:19   Next→ 

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Muhammad Asad   
AND THERE CAME a caravan; and they sent forth their drawer of water, and he let down his bucket into the well - [and when he saw Joseph] he exclaimed: "Oh, what a lucky find, this boy!" And they hid him with a view to selling him: but God had full knowledge of all that they were doing
The Clear Quran, Dr. Mustafa Khattab   
And there came some travellers, and they sent their water-boy who let down his bucket into the well. He cried out, “Oh, what a great find! Here is a boy!” And they took him secretly ˹to be sold˺ as merchandise, but Allah is All-Knowing of what they did.
Safi Kaskas   
A caravan came, and they sent someone to draw water. He sent down his bucket into the well, [and, when he saw Joseph] he said, "Good news, there is a boy." They hid him with the intention of selling him, but God had full knowledge of everything that they were doing.

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Source Arabic and Literal tools
Arabic   
وَجَاۤءَتۡ سَیَّارَةࣱ فَأَرۡسَلُوا۟ وَارِدَهُمۡ فَأَدۡلَىٰ دَلۡوَهُۥۖ قَالَ یَـٰبُشۡرَىٰ هَـٰذَا غُلَـٰمࣱۚ وَأَسَرُّوهُ بِضَـٰعَةࣰۚ وَٱللَّهُ عَلِیمُۢ بِمَا یَعۡمَلُونَ ۝١٩
Transliteration (2021)   
wajāat sayyāratun fa-arsalū wāridahum fa-adlā dalwahu qāla yābush'rā hādhā ghulāmun wa-asarrūhu biḍāʿatan wal-lahu ʿalīmun bimā yaʿmalūn
Word for Word
Dr. Shehnaz Shaikh, Ms. Kauser Katri, and more
  
And there came a caravan and they sent their water drawer then he let down his bucket. He said, "O good news! This (is) a boy." And they hid him (as) a merchandise. And Allah (is) All-Knower of what they do.

Generally Accepted Translations of the Meaning
Muhammad Asad   
AND THERE CAME a caravan; and they sent forth their drawer of water, and he let down his bucket into the well - [and when he saw Joseph] he exclaimed: "Oh, what a lucky find, this boy!" And they hid him with a view to selling him: but God had full knowledge of all that they were doing
M. M. Pickthall   
And there came a caravan, and they sent their waterdrawer. He let down his pail (into the pit). He said: Good luck! Here is a youth. And they hid him as a treasure, and Allah was Aware of what they did
Yusuf Ali (Saudi Rev. 1985)   
Then there came a caravan of travellers: they sent their water-carrier (for water), and he let down his bucket (into the well)...He said: "Ah there! Good news! Here is a (fine) young man!" So they concealed him as a treasure! But Allah knoweth well all that they do
The Clear Quran, Dr. Mustafa Khattab   
And there came some travellers, and they sent their water-boy who let down his bucket into the well. He cried out, “Oh, what a great find! Here is a boy!” And they took him secretly ˹to be sold˺ as merchandise, but Allah is All-Knowing of what they did.
Safi Kaskas   
A caravan came, and they sent someone to draw water. He sent down his bucket into the well, [and, when he saw Joseph] he said, "Good news, there is a boy." They hid him with the intention of selling him, but God had full knowledge of everything that they were doing.
Wahiduddin Khan   
And there came a caravan of travellers and they sent their water-drawer to draw water from the well. He let down his bucket into the well and he exclaimed, Oh, what a lucky find, here is a boy! They hid him like a piece of merchandise, but God knew well what they did
Shakir   
And there came travellers and they sent their water-drawer and he let down his bucket. He said: O good news! this is a youth; and they concealed him as an article of merchandise, and Allah knew what they did
Dr. Laleh Bakhtiar   
And there drew near a company of travelers so they sent their water-drawer to let down his bucket. He said: What good tidings! This is a boy! So they kept him secret as merchandise. And God is Knowing of what they do.
T.B.Irving   
Some travellers came along who sent their waterboy and he let do his own bucket. He said: "What a godsend! This is a boy!" So they hid him as a piece of merchandise; yet God was Aware of what they were doing.
Abdul Hye   
There came a caravan of travelers, they sent their water-drawer who let down his bucket (into the well). He said (seeing Joseph): “What a good news! This is a boy.” So they concealed him like merchandise (a captive). And Allah knew what they did.
The Study Quran   
And then a caravan came along and sent their water carrier, and he let down his bucket. He said, “Good news! Here is a boy!” So they hid him as merchandise. And God knew well what they were doing
Talal Itani & AI (2024)   
A passing caravan arrived, and they sent their water carrier. He lowered his bucket and exclaimed, “Good news! This is a boy!” They hid him as merchandise, yet God knew what they did.
Talal Itani (2012)   
A caravan passed by, and they sent their water-carrier. He lowered his bucket, and said, 'Good news. Here is a boy.' And they hid him as merchandise. But God was aware of what they did
Dr. Kamal Omar   
And there came a travelling caravan; they sent their fetching-man (who used to collect the requirements for the caravan) and he lowered down his bucket (to fetch water from the well) and cried (from there): “What a good news! This (is) a young boy!” So they hid him as a merchandise — and Allah is Fully-Aware of what they do
M. Farook Malik   
On the other side, a caravan passed by, and sent a water carrier who let down his bucket into the well. Seeing Joseph in it, he shouted with joy: "Good news! I found a young boy." They concealed him like trade merchandise. But Allah knew what they did
Muhammad Mahmoud Ghali   
And (there) came travelers; so they sent their water-drawer; then he let down his bucket. He said, "What good tidings! Here is this youth." And they secretly kept him (i.e., the travelers hid him) as merchandise; and Allah is Ever-Knowing of whatever they do
Muhammad Sarwar   
A caravan came by and sent their water carrier out to the well. When he drew out Joseph in his bucket, he shouted, "Glad news, a young boy!" The people of the caravan hid him amongst their belongings. God knows well what they do
Muhammad Taqi Usmani   
And some wayfarers came (near the pit in which Yusuf was thrown), and sent their water-drawer (to bring water for them). So, he let down his bucket. He said, .What a good news! Here is a boy. And they kept him hidden as merchandise, while Allah was aware of what they were doing
Shabbir Ahmed   
And, there came a caravan, and they sent their water drawer. He let down his rope and pail into the well. He called in excitement, "Oh, what a lucky find! It is a teenage boy!" People of the caravan took him along as treasure. And Allah was Aware of what they did
Dr. Munir Munshey   
A passing caravan sent their water-carrier to fetch water. He lowered the pail and cried out, "Good news! It´s a boy!" They hid him in their baggage and Allah was well aware of their actions
Syed Vickar Ahamed   
And there came a group of travelers: They sent their water-bearer (for water), and he let down his bucket (in the well)... He (the bearer) said: "Oh there! Good news! Here is a (handsome) boy!" So they kept him hidden like a treasure! But Allah knew well all that they did
Umm Muhammad (Sahih International)   
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
[The Monotheist Group] (2011 Edition)   
And a traveling caravan came and they sent their man to draw water, but when he drew he said: "Good news, there is a boy!" So they hid him as merchandise. And God is aware of what they do
Abdel Haleem   
Some travellers came by. They sent someone to draw water and he let down his bucket. ‘Good news!’ he exclaimed. ‘Here is a boy!’ They hid him like a piece of merchandise- God was well aware of what they did
Abdul Majid Daryabadi   
And a caravan came, and they sent their water-drawer, and he let down his bucket. He said: glad tidings! here is a youth. And they hid him as merchandise, And Allah was the Knower of that which they worked
Ahmed Ali   
A caravan happened to pass, and sent the water-carrier to bring water from the well. He let down his bucket (and pulled Joseph up with it). "What luck," said the man; "here is a boy;" and they hid him as an item of merchandise; but what they did was known to God
Aisha Bewley   
Some travellers came that way and then dispatched their water-drawer who let his bucket down. He said, ´Good news for me, I´ve found a boy!´ They then hid him away among their goods. Allah knew very well what they were doing.
Ali Ünal   
And there came a caravan, and they sent forth one among them to fetch water. He let down his bucket (into the well). "Good luck!" he exclaimed: "(There is) a youth here!" So they hid and preserved him as merchandise to sell. God had full knowledge of what they were doing
Ali Quli Qara'i   
And there came a caravan, and they sent their water-drawer, who let down his bucket. ‘Good news!’ he said. ‘This is a young boy!’ So they hid him as [a piece of] merchandise, and Allah knew best what they were doing
Hamid S. Aziz   
And a caravan of travellers came and sent their water-drawer. He let down his bucket into the pit. Said he, "What good luck! Here is a youth." So they concealed him, as a treasure, and Allah was Aware of what they did
Ali Bakhtiari Nejad   
And a caravan came, then they sent their water carrier, and he let down his bucket (into the well). He said: “Good news, this is a boy.” And they hid him as merchandise while God knew what they do.
A.L. Bilal Muhammad et al (2018)   
Then there came a caravan of travelers. They sent their water-carrier to the well, and he let down his bucket. He said, “Look here, good news. Here is a young man.” So they hid him like merchandise, but God knows well all that they do
Musharraf Hussain   
Along came a caravan, sending their water-bearer on ahead; as he lowered his bucket, he shouted, “Great news! There’s a boy here.” Then they hid him with their goods, but Allah was aware what they did.
Maududi   
And a caravan came, and they sent their water drawer to draw water. As he let down his bucket in the well he (observed Joseph) and cried out: "This is good news. There is a boy." They concealed him, considering him as part of their merchandise, while Allah was well aware of what they did
[The Monotheist Group] (2013 Edition)   
Anda traveling caravan came and they sent their man to draw water, but when he drew he said: "Good news, there is a boy!" So they hid him as merchandise. And God is aware of what they did.
Mohammad Shafi   
And a caravan of travellers did come there and they sent their man to draw water from the well and he let down his bucket. He exclaimed, "O goodness! There is a boy there." And they took him along as an article of merchandise. And Allah knew what they did

Controversial or status undetermined works
Ahmed Raza Khan (Barelvi)   
And there came a Caravan, they sent their water carrier he then let down his bucket. He Said, 'Hurrah'; what a good news, this is a boy,' and concealed him as a treasure And Allah knows what they do.
Rashad Khalifa   
A caravan passed by, and soon sent their waterer. He let down his bucket, then said, "How lucky! There is a boy here!" They took him along as merchandise, and GOD was fully aware of what they did.
Hasan Al-Fatih Qaribullah   
Thereafter travelers came, and sent their waterman. And when he had let down his pail, (he cried:) 'Rejoice, a boy! ' Then they concealed him among their merchandise, but Allah knew what they did
Maulana Muhammad Ali   
And there came travellers, and they sent their water-drawer and he let down his bucket. He said: O good news! This is a youth. And they concealed him as an article of merchandise, and Allah was Cognizant of what they did
Muhammad Ahmed & Samira   
And a caravan came, so they sent their brave/tall (scout/waterboy), so he lowered/dropped his bucket/pail, he said: "Oh good news, that (is) a boy/slave ." And they kept him secret (as) goods/merchandise, and God (is) knowledgeable with what they make/do
Bijan Moeinian   
Then a caravan passed by the well. When the person in charge of water supply threw his bucket in the well, he screamed joyfully and said: “How lucky! There is a boy here!” Then they took him along as a slave according to the pre-destined will of God
Faridul Haque   
And there came a caravan - so they sent their water-drawer, he therefore lowered his pail; he said, "What good luck, this is a boy!"; and they hid him as a treasure; and Allah knows what they do
Sher Ali   
And there came a caravan of travelers and they sent their water-drawer. And he let down his bucket into the well. `Oh, good news !' said he, `Here is your youth !' And they hid him as a piece of merchandise, and ALLAH well knew what they did
Dr. Mohammad Tahir-ul-Qadri   
And (there) came a caravan of travellers. They sent their water-drawer. So he lowered his bucket (into the well) and he exclaimed: ‘Good news! Here is a boy!’ And they hid him, regarding him a valuable trade item. And Allah knows well the activities they were busy doing
Amatul Rahman Omar   
(Now) there came a caravan of travellers and they sent their water-drawer (to fetch water) and he let down his bucket (into the well). And behold! he cried, `Oh, glad tidings, here is a young boy.' So they (- Joseph's brothers) presented him (in this way) as (if) a piece of merchandise, and Allah was Well-Aware of their doings
Muhsin Khan & Muhammad al-Hilali   
And there came a caravan of travellers; they sent their water-drawer, and he let down his bucket (into the well). He said: "What good news! Here is a boy." So they hid him as merchandise (a slave). And Allah was the All-Knower of what they did

Non-Muslim and/or Orientalist works
Arthur John Arberry   
Then came travellers, and they sent one of them, a water-drawer, who let down his bucket. 'Good news!' he said. 'Here is a young man.' So they hid him as merchandise; but God knew what they were doing
George Sale   
And certain travellers came, and sent one to draw water for them: And he let down his bucket, and said, good news! This is a youth. And they concealed him, that they might sell him as a piece of merchandize: but God knew that which they did
Edward Henry Palmer   
And travellers came and sent their water-drawer; and he let down his bucket. Said he, 'O glad tidings! this is a youth.' And they kept him secret, as a chattel; but God knew what they were doing
John Medows Rodwell   
And wayfarers came and sent their drawer of water, and he let down his bucket. "Good news!" said he, "This is a youth!" And they kept his case secret, to make merchandise of him. But God knew what they did
N J Dawood (2014)   
And a caravan passed by, who sent their water-bearer to the pit. And when he had let down his pail, he cried: ‘Rejoice! Here is a boy!‘ They concealed him as part of their merchandise. But God knew what they did

New, Partial, or In Progress Translations
Fode Drame   
And then a caravan came and they sent their water fetcher and he lowered his bucket [into the well]. He said, “Good news here is a boy.” And they concealed him as a merchandize. But Allah knows well all that they do.
Munir Mezyed   
There came a caravan of travelers, and they sent their water-drawer (to fetch water). (As soon as) he let down his bucket (into the well), he cried out: ‘Oh, What great news! Here is a boy.’ So they hid him among their merchandise. But Allâh is All-Knowing of what they did.
Sahib Mustaqim Bleher   
And a caravan came, so they sent their water carrier and he lowered his bucket. He said: good news, there is a boy, and they hid him as merchandise, and Allah has knowledge of what they do.
Linda “iLHam” Barto   
A caravan dispatched its water-bearer, and he let down his bucket. He said, “What luck! A young man!” (The caravan) secretly kept (Joseph) as a fortune, but Allah was well aware of what was happening.
Fadel Soliman, Bridges‘ Translation   
And there came some travelers, so they sent their water-carrier, then he let down his bucket. He said, “What glad tidings! Here is a boy!” And they hid him as merchandise. Yet Allah is All-Knowing of what they do.
Irving & Mohamed Hegab   
Some travellers came along who sent their waterboy and he let do his own bucket. He said: "What a godsend! This is a boy!" So they hid him as a piece of merchandise; yet Allah (God) was Aware of what they were doing.
Samy Mahdy   
And a caravan came, so they sent their water drawer. So, he lowered his bucket, and said, “Good tide. Here is a lad.” And they concealed him as merchandise. And Allah was with what they were working, Knowledgeable.
Sayyid Qutb   
And there came a caravan; and they sent their water-drawer, and he let down his bucket into the well — [and when he saw Joseph] he cried: 'What good luck. Here is a boy!' They concealed him with a view to selling him; but God had full knowledge of what they were doing.
Ahmed Hulusi   
Then a caravan came by the well and their water-carrier let down his bucket, and when he saw, he said, “Ah, good news! There is a little boy here”... They took him out to sell him. Allah is Aleem over what they do (as their essence and the creator of their actions).
Sayyed Abbas Sadr-Ameli   
Then there came a caravan(of travelers). They sent their water- drawer( for water)and he let down his bucket. He said: 'O' good news! This is a youth. ' So they hid him as a merchandise; while Allah is aware of what they do.
Al-muntakhab fi tafsir al-Qur‘an al-Karim   
There came a caravan of merchants traveling to Egypt with merchandise. They sent on their water purveyor, the harbinger, who found a well; he let his bucket to draw water. But as he hauled up the bucket, he did not find water but a youth clinging to the rope and the bucket instead. There he announced with joy the good news of hauling up a youth, and they hid him in their merchandise, and Allah was fully aware of what they were doing
Mir Aneesuddin   
And a caravan came there, and they sent their water drawer and he let down his bucket (and) said, “O good news ! here is a youth,” and they hid him as an item of merchandise and Allah knew what they did.

Obsolete and/or older editions
Yusuf Ali (Orig. 1938)   
Then there came a caravan of travellers: they sent their water-carrier (for water), and he let down his bucket (into the well)...He said: "Ah there! Good news! Here is a (fine) young man!" So they concealed him as a treasure! But God knoweth w ell all that they do
OLD Literal Word for Word   
And there came a caravan and they sent their water drawer then he let down his bucket. He said, "O good news! This (is) a boy." And they hid him (as) a merchandise. And Allah (is) All-Knower of what they do
OLD Transliteration   
Wajaat sayyaratun faarsaloo waridahum faadla dalwahu qala ya bushra hatha ghulamun waasarroohu bidaAAatan waAllahu AAaleemun bima yaAAmaloona