( فعتوا عن أمر ربهم فأخذتهم الصاعقة ) يعني بعد مضي الأيام الثلاثة ، وهي الموت في قول ابن عباس ، قال مقاتل : يعني العذاب ، و " الصاعقة " : كل عذاب مهلك ، وقرأ الكسائي : " الصعقة " ، وهي الصوت الذي يكون من الصاعقة ( وهم ينظرون ) يرون ذلك عيانا .
But they were arrogant to the command of their Lord and they were haughty to faith and obedience, so the thunderbolt of punishment seized them whilst they were waiting it to come down, as they were promised punishment three days before it came.