Popular Translations
Muhammad Asad
But although they entered [Joseph's city] in the way their father had bidden them, this proved of no avail whatever to them against [the plan of] God [His request] had served only to satisfy Jacob's heartfelt desire [to protect them]: for, behold, thanks to what We had imparted unto him, he was indeed endowed with the knowledge [that God's will must always prevail]; but most people know it not
Arthur John Arberry
And when they entered after the manner their father commanded them, it availed them nothing against God; but it was a need in Jacob's soul that he so satisfied. Verily he was possessed of a knowledge for that We had taught him; but most men know not
Yusuf Ali (Saudi Rev. 1985)
And when they entered in the manner their father had enjoined, it did not profit them in the least against (the plan of) Allah: It was but a necessity of Jacob's soul, which he discharged. For he was, by our instruction, full of knowledge (and experience): but most men know not
Arabic
وَلَمَّا دَخَلُوا۟ مِنۡ حَیۡثُ أَمَرَهُمۡ أَبُوهُم مَّا كَانَ یُغۡنِی عَنۡهُم مِّنَ ٱللَّهِ مِن شَیۡءٍ إِلَّا حَاجَةࣰ فِی نَفۡسِ یَعۡقُوبَ قَضَىٰهَاۚ وَإِنَّهُۥ لَذُو عِلۡمࣲ لِّمَا عَلَّمۡنَـٰهُ وَلَـٰكِنَّ أَكۡثَرَ ٱلنَّاسِ لَا یَعۡلَمُونَ ٦٨
Transliteration (2021)
walammā dakhalū min ḥaythu amarahum abūhum mā kāna yugh'nī ʿanhum mina l-lahi min shayin illā ḥājatan fī nafsi yaʿqūba qaḍāhā wa-innahu ladhū ʿil'min limā ʿallamnāhu walākinna akthara l-nāsi lā yaʿlamūn