﴿So they were arrogant﴾ meaning: they caused arrogance due to our kindness to them. Arrogance is pride and refusal. ﴿Against the command of their Lord﴾ meaning: their Master, who has shown them the greatest kindness. So they hamstrung the she-camel and intended to kill His Prophet, blessings and peace be upon him. ﴿So they were seized﴾ due to their arrogance, with a seizing of power and punishment. ﴿The thunderbolt﴾ meaning: the great cry that was carried by the wind, which reached their ears with utmost severity, and shook their homes with a shaking that took their souls with the thunder. And His saying: ﴿While they were looking﴾ indicates that it was in a cloud, and there was fire in it. It is also permissible - alongside the meaning of looking - that it could also mean waiting; for they were promised the descent of punishment after three days, and a sign was given to them each day that occurred with them, so they realized that it would happen on the fourth day.