He answered: "You throw [first]." And when they threw down [their staffs], they cast a spell upon the people's eyes, and struck them with awe, and produced mighty sorcery.
Asad Translation Note Number :
Malik Quran Translation
Musa said: "You cast." So when they cast, they bewitched the eyes of the people and terrified them by a display of a mighty sorcery.
Yusuf Ali Quran Translation
Said Moses: "Throw ye (first)." So when they threw they bewitched the eyes of the people and struck terror into them: for they showed a great (feat of) magic. 1080
Yusuf Ali Translation Note Number :
Moses and his brother Aaron were pitted against the most skilful magic-men of Egypt, but they were calm and confident and let the magic-men have their innings first. As is usual in this world, the magicians trickery made a great impression on the people, but when Moses threw his rod, the illusion was broken, and the falsehood was all shown up. In the Old Testament story (Exod. vii. 10-12) it was Aaron that threw the rod, and he threw it before the magicians. Aaron's rod became a serpent. Then the magicians threw their rods, and they became serpents, but Aaron's rod swallowed up their rods. The story given to us is more dramatic and less literal. We are told in general terms that Moses first allowed the magic-men to play their tricks. It was a simple shepherd's crook with which he used to feed his flocks. With Allah's grace behind him, he was able to expose all false trickery and establish the Truth.
Mustafa Khattab Quran Translation
Moses said, “You first.” So when they did, they deceived the eyes of the people, stunned them, and made a great display of magic.
Mustafa Khattab Translation Note Number :
Piktal Quran Translation
He said: Throw! And when they threw they cast a spell upon the people's eyes, and overawed them, and produced a mighty spell.