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القرآن
2 The Qur'an explains the Qur'an 7 / 9

One object, two names in the story

Observation 3 examples 1 min

In a story, one object may bear two names from different roots. Each name states a function of the object in the scene where it appears. The translation keeps two words, and the choice of name, scene by scene, carries the meaning.

The story of Youssof gives three examples.

The cup. When Youssof hides it, it is السقاية, the object used for giving drink: "he placed the cup in his brother's saddlebag" (12:70). When it is claimed, it is صواع الملك, the official standard of measure: "We are missing the king's measuring vessel" (12:72). The hidden object is a utensil; the claimed object is a royal measure, and its theft becomes an affair of state.

The travellers. Those who find Youssof at the well are "Travelers" (سيارة, 12:19): people passing through. The brothers form the "caravan" (العير, 12:70, 12:94): an organised convoy carrying provisions.

The baggage. The goods are placed in the "saddlebag" (رحل, 12:70), what is carried on the mount; the search is made in the "bags" (وعاء, 12:76), what contains. At the moment of the search, the story looks at what each bag holds.

In the text

Example 12:70
جَعَلَ ٱلسِّقَايَةَ فِى رَحْلِ أَخِيهِ
“he placed the cup in his brother's saddlebag”
The hidden object: the cup, used for giving drink.
Example 12:72
نَفْقِدُ صُوَاعَ ٱلْمَلِكِ
“We are missing the king's measuring vessel”
The claimed object: the royal standard of measure.
Example 12:76
فَبَدَأَ بِأَوْعِيَتِهِمْ
“He began with their bags before his brother's bag”
The search: the baggage named by what it contains.