( ذلك ) أي : ذلك العذاب الذي نزل بهم ، ( بأنهم كانت تأتيهم رسلهم بالبينات فكفروا فأخذهم الله إنه قوي شديد العقاب ) .
That punishment which befell them only befell them because their messengers used to come to them with clear proof and evident miracles, but they disbelieved in Allah and denied His messengers. Allah seized them, despite their strength, and destroyed them. He is Powerful, severe in punishing those who disbelieve in Him and deny His messengers.