غوص

Core meaning

To dive beneath the surface of the water.

Uses

1. يَغُوصُونَ, غَوَّاص → "to dive", "diver" : the task that some of the Diverters perform for Sulayman.

   • «وَمِنَ ٱلشَّيَٰطِينِ مَن يَغُوصُونَ لَهُۥ» — "And among the Diverters were some who dived for him" (21:82)
   • «كُلَّ بَنَّآءٍۢ وَغَوَّاصٍۢ» — "every builder and diver" (38:37)

Evidence from the text

Both uses tell the same scene: among the Diverters subjected to Sulayman, some dive for him and perform other tasks besides (21:82); in 38:37 the diver is named beside the builder, and others are "bound together in fetters" (38:38). Diving is here a labour: going under the water, on command, in the service of the one to whom they are subjected.

Distinctions

• غرق — to drown: to be swallowed by the water against one's will, whereas غوص is a willed descent

See also

شطن (the Diverters) · سخر (to subject)