وَلَقَدْ ءَاتَيْنَا بَنِىٓ إِسْرَٰٓءِيلَ ٱلْكِتَـٰبَ وَٱلْحُكْمَ وَٱلنُّبُوَّةَ وَرَزَقْنَـٰهُم مِّنَ ٱلطَّيِّبَـٰتِ وَفَضَّلْنَـٰهُمْ عَلَى ٱلْعَـٰلَمِينَ 16
Translations
And We did certainly give the Children of Israel the Scripture and judgement and prophethood, and We provided them with good things and preferred them over the worlds.
Transliteration
Wa laqad ātaynā banī Isrāʾīla al-kitāba wa-al-ḥukma wa-al-nubuwwata wa-razaqnāhum mina al-ṭayyibāti wa-faḍḍalnāhum ʿalā al-ʿālamīn
Tafsir (Explanation)
Allah reminds the Children of Israel of the extraordinary favors He bestowed upon them: the Scripture (Torah), wisdom, prophethood, sustenance of good things, and preference over the worlds of their time. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir emphasize this ayah highlights the historical privileges granted to Bani Israel, though Al-Qurtubi notes this favor came with responsibility and accountability for how they used these blessings. This serves as both a reminder of their honor and an implicit reproach for those who rejected the message after receiving such clear signs.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears in Surah Al-Jathiyah (a Meccan surah) and is part of a broader discourse addressing the People of the Book. The context within the surah emphasizes divine signs and the rejection of truth by those who follow their desires rather than knowledge. It reminds the audience of the historical precedent of Israel's favors and their subsequent trials.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (ﷺ) said: 'None of you believes until he loves for his brother what he loves for himself' (Sahih Bukhari 13). While not directly cited with this ayah, it relates to the responsibility that comes with divine favor. Additionally, Surah 2:47 contains similar language about Bani Israel's favor, which scholars frequently reference together in tafsir literature.
Themes
Key Lesson
Receiving divine blessings—whether knowledge, resources, or guidance—carries with it the responsibility to uphold justice and truth; neglecting this duty negates the value of the favor itself. Modern readers should reflect on what spiritual and material blessings they have received and consider whether they are fulfilling the accompanying obligations to spread truth and justice.