and then, when they disdainfully persisted in doing what they had been forbidden to do, We said unto them: "Be as apes despicable!"133
Asad Translation Note Number :
According to Zamakhshari and Razi, the expression "We
said unto them" is here synonymous with "We decreed with
regard to them" - God's "saying" being in this case a
metonym for a manifestation of His will. As for the
substance of God's decree, "Be as apes despicable", the
famous tabi'i Mujahid explain it thus: "[Only] their
hearts were transformed, that is, they were not [really]
transformed into apes: this is but a metaphor (mathal)
coined by God with regard to them, similar to the
metaphor of 'the ass carrying books' [ 62:5 ]" (Tabari, in
his commentary on 2:65 ; also Manar I, 343; VI, 448; and
IX, 379). A similar explanation is given by Raghib. It
should be borne in mind that the expression "like an ape"
is often used in classical Arabic to describe a person
who is unable to restrain his gross appetites or
passions.
Malik Quran Translation
But when after that they persisted in their forbidden ways, We said to them: "Be detested apes."
Yusuf Ali Quran Translation
When in their insolence they transgressed (all) prohibition We said to them: "Be ye apes despised and rejected." 1139
Yusuf Ali Translation Note Number :
Cf. ii. 65, n. 79.
Mustafa Khattab Quran Translation
But when they stubbornly persisted in violation, We said to them, “Be disgraced apes!”1
Mustafa Khattab Translation Note Number :
Literally or metaphorically. See footnote for 2:65.
Piktal Quran Translation
So when they took pride in that which they had been forbidden, We said unto them: Be ye apes despised and loathed!