Al-Maaida (The Table)

70. "Certainly We took a covenant from the Children of Israel and We sent messengers to them. Whenever there came to them a messenger with what their souls did not desire, some of them they would deny and some (of them) they would slay."

In Surah Al-Baqarah No.2 and at the beginning of this current Surah, Al-Ma'idah, there is a hint to the firm covenant that Allah has taken from the Children of Israel. In the above verse, too, this covenant is referred to again.

It implies that Allah took covenant from the Children of Israel to do according to what He sent down. And, He appointed some messengers for them to guide them and to demand the fulfilment of this covenant from them. It says:

"Certainly We took a covenant from the Children of Israel and We sent messengers to them. ..."

Then the verse continues implying that they not only did not do upon this covenant but also whenever a messenger brought a Divine commandment to them which contrasted their wishes and low desires, they committed the worst and the strongest struggle against him. They denied some of these prophets, while they killed those prophets whose influence they could not hinder. It says:

"... Whenever there came to them a messenger with what their souls did not desire, some of them they would deny and some (of them) they would slay."