45. Al-Jathiyah (Kneeling Down)

Mecca Period 65

Asad’s Version:

45:16 AND, INDEED, [already] unto the children of Israel did We vouchsafe revelation, and wisdom, and prophethood; 13 and We provided for them sustenance out of the good things of life, and favoured them above all other people [of their time]."

The Quranic Text & Ali’s Version:

وَلَقَدْ آتَيْنَا بَنِي إِسْرَائِيلَ الْكِتَابَ وَالْحُكْمَ وَالنُّبُوَّةَ...

45: 16. We did aforetime grant to the Children of Israel the Book, the Power of Command, and Prophethood;

C4752. The argument here is similar to that in 44:32-33 but; it is more particularized here.

Israel had the Revelation given through Moses, the power of judgment and command through the Kingdom of David and Solomon, and numerous prophetic warnings through such men as Isaiah and Jeremiah.

...وَرَزَقْنَاهُم مِّنَ الطَّيِّبَاتِ وَفَضَّلْنَاهُمْ عَلَى الْعَالَمِينَ ﴿١٦﴾

We gave them, for Sustenance, things good and pure; and We favored them above the nations.

C4753. "Sustenance". The Mosaic Law laid down rules of diet, excluding things unclean, and it laid down rules for a pure and honourable life. In this way Israel became the standard-bearer of Allah's law, thus "favoured above the nations".